Then and Now

Then and Now: The Fairgrounds Inn and Michael's Cafe

A weekly post featuring historic places in Lutherville-Timonium and how they've stood the test of time.

In 1977, a very young Glenn Haug was a kid customer at the Fairgrounds Inn in Timonium. He and his sister would hang out in a booth on weekends, sipping on homemade cherry sodas and tying straws together, while their dad enjoyed a beer and watched sports at the bar. The Fairgrounds Inn was a cozy neighborhood bar, where locals could go and see their Timonium neighbors. Twelve years later, an older, still local Haug considered the place to be a favorite, comfortable spot, but he’d upgraded his childhood cherry sodas to beers. “It was kind of like a Cheers to us,” said Haug, who's now a manager of Panera Bread in Aberdeen, MD. “You’d go in there and everyone knew who you were.” By then, the Fairgrounds Inn was Michael’s Restaurant, bought by…

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Disney Pop Star Selena Gomez to Headline Maryland State Fair Concert

Fairgrounds organizers also working to sign two more high-profile acts for music series.

Selena Gomez will be one of the artists headlining the Maryland State Fair concert series this summer.  State fair organizers will try to capitalize on the success of last year’s performances, though it will be hard to top the popularity of Justin Bieber, whose Timonium show sold out in 18 minutes.  “We’re very excited about her being here,” said Andy Cashman, fairgrounds assistant general manager. “It’s not quite the same as Justin Bieber, but she’s someone certainly like that.”  The state fair is also working on signing a high-profile country artist and a regional band gaining critical acclaim internationally, though details have not been finalized at this time.  For Gomez, her scheduled Aug. 26 performance at the state fair is perfect …

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