The Sixth Annual Howard County Film Feastival will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at Clark’s Elioak Farm from 6–8:30 p.m. The Feastival is a celebration of the local food movement in Howard County, highlighting the connection between Howard County farms, restaurants, food producers and the community.

The event serves as a kick-off to Howard County’s Summer Restaurant Weeks (July 20–Aug. 3), the annual food extravaganza when restaurants across the county incorporate locally grown products to serve farm fresh meals at attractive prices. It also will promote the start of the nine-day Buy Local Maryland Challenge, to be held from July 18–26.

The event is a joint effort between the Agricultural Marketing Program of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, Howard County Tourism & Promotion, Clark’s Elioak Farm and the University of Maryland Extension, along with media sponsor The Business Monthly. This year the film “Farmland,” which focuses on individual young producers throughout the United States, will be featured. There will be music, educational booths and a mini farmers market.

The Feastival will begin with an array of farm-fresh food samples, prepared by several Howard County restaurants as previews of the dishes they will offer utilizing locally grown products during Summer Restaurant Weeks. In addition, the farmers market will feature county farm produce and products for sale, including Clark’s Never Sell the Land Farm 100% grass-fed beef, local cheese, honey, fruits, vegetables and jellies.

There is no cost for the event, but a donation will be taken at the gate that will benefit the Howard County’s Food Bank Community Garden. Advance registration is required at www.hceda.org/agriculture. Registration is limited.