Hampstead plans farmers market, tree planting, scholarships and military banner program; train station winter closure noted

Town staff and council members provided updates on community programs and services, including the farmers market schedule, an April tree-planting, scholarships, a military-banner program and bulk-trash pickup dates.

The Hampstead Farmers Market advisory team met Feb. 3 and vendor application materials for the 2025 season are on the town website; the market season is scheduled to begin on June 7. Daily breakfast and lunch vendors are scheduled for each market day and musicians are booked for every day of the season except July 5, when the town is seeking performers. The town also noted that the Hampstead Train Station remains closed for the winter.

A tree-planting event is scheduled for April 12 at Westwood Park and will be funded with a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, staff said. The town also is offering four $1,000 scholarships to high school students who reside within the town limits and have been accepted to a college or university; applications are available on the town website under “news and announcements” and will be accepted through Friday, April 25 at 4 p.m.

The town is partnering again with the American Legion of Hampstead Post 200 on a military-banner program that will display photos and service branches on Main Street light poles from May through September. Applications and more information are available on the town website or by calling the town office.

Town staff said a new online water-billing payment system is being implemented and residents will be able to view and pay bills online and sign up for automatic payments. The town also announced bulk trash pickup days on March 15, the third Saturday in July and October; the town clarified that items such as tires, paint, motors, items with Freon, oil or other hazardous waste, and construction materials are not eligible for pickup.