On Saturday, May 3, the comic book industry once again celebrates Free Comic Book Day.

Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores.

Beyond Comics is participating in Free Comic Book Day and will be giving out free comics all day.

Beyond Comics
5632 Buckeystown Pike (Rte. 85)
Frederick, MD
(301) 668-8202
HOURS: 10-9:30
(Their Lake Forest (Gaithersburg) location is also participating.)

Ten local businesses are sponsoring this event and will be giving away coupons, some of which are not available elsewhere.

FEATURES

• Moon bounce
• Costumed super heroes
• Keyote, the Frederick Keys mascot
• Five comics creators at Frederick location; three in Gaithersburg

City of Baltimore presents “BaltiMORE for Less Weekend” May 3rd and 4th - special events, discounted parking, free “Milkshake” children’s band concert: http://www.baltimore.org/moreforless/

Thanks, John!

Barilla has partnered with children’s book publisher Scholastic for a free book (“More Spaghetti, I Say”) with the purchase of two boxes of Piccolini pasta, a new product geared to kids.

The offer runs through December and is open to the first 5,000 people.

A co-marketed Web site at http://www.scholastic.com/barilla/ lets visitors read a virtual book, “Mealtime Magic.” The story tells the tale of a funny little fairy who uses her magic sprinkles of cheese to show a busy family the value of sitting down together to share a meal.

Barilla Piccolini is mini pasta, available in four shapes—Mini Penne, Mini Farfalle, Mini Fusilli and Mini Wheels.

Send UPCs with your name, mailing address, email and phone number to:

Barilla Book Offer
557 Broadway
PO Box 711
New York, NY 10012

Details here.

Also on the Barilla website: a nice section on cooking pasta meals with children.

Ben & Jerry’s annual Free Cone Day is Tuesday, April 29. They’re celebrating their 30th birthday this year.

Our local Ben & Jerry’s is in downtown Frederick City, on Carroll Creek.

This year’s Fairie Festival will be held May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, at Spoutwood Farm in Glen Rock, PA.

Flickr album from last year.

• Printable 10%-Off Best Buy Coupon

• Rita’s Italian Ice Online Birthday Club

  Print a B1G1F coupon just for signing up for Rita’s birthday club. Then, on your birthday, you’ll receive a coupon for a free Rita’s Italian ice.