At just 3 months old, Kaite Rose Broadhurst was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that affects lung function and the digestive system. But, for the first time in her nearly 30 years on this planet, she’s feeling like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’m super excited about a cure,” Broadhurst says through years. “In the past six months, my doctor has sat me down and said he never thought he’d live to see this day.”

In February, the FDA approved a new drug that treats the underlying causes of cystic fibrosis and is applicable to almost half of the 30,000 people living with the disease in the United States. During clinical trials, the Symdeko drug was able to increase lung function, reduce exacerbations, and—most importantly—increase quality of life.

“I live a fuller life because of the treatments that I have,” Broadhurst says. “My life is mine now and it’s not as bogged down by the disease. Fundraisers have directly funded huge medical milestones in my life and that’s the truth for anyone who is treated for CF.”

One such fundraiser, Feastival, will be taking place in Baltimore on Saturday, June 9, at the Sandlot at Harbor Point where local restaurants, bars, and breweries will be offering fare and proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) of Maryland.

“Unlike a fancy gala or walk, this event is just you hanging out with your friends on the water,” says Broadhurst, who most recently worked at Mix 106.5 and is an ambassador for CFF of Maryland. “You get to relax on the beach, eat good food, and support people around you.”

Another great advantage of the event being outdoors is that normally, because of the disease, CF patients can’t be in the same room together. But, because it’s open air, they’ll at least be able to attend the same fundraiser (and will wear ribbons to alert each other).

Though Broadhurst is ecstatic for the recent advances in cystic fibrosis, she’s been lucky enough to experience breakthroughs from an early age. She was one of the first patients to get a Monarch vest from the DuPont Hospital for Children, which helps clear her airway.

“There really is no getting over CF—you always have to deal with it,” Broadhurst says. “But the vest was able to give more independence at such a young age. Events like these give me a chance to thank people and show them exactly what their dollars are doing.”

Feastival will be taking place at the Sandlot for the first time this year (instead of the promenade outside of the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore). But the food lineup remains just as stellar with participating vendors like Ampersea, Blue Put BBQ, The Charmery, Chez Hugo, Ekiben, Hersh’s Pizza and Drinks, Full Circle Doughnuts, Gunther & Co., La Food Marketa, Minnow, Stall 11, and Wit & Wisdom.

Additionally, the Baltimore Bartenders Guild will be mixing up drinks with regional spirits from Sagamore, Belle Isle, Lyon, and Sandy Bottom Rum out of Annapolis. Look out for other beverages from Ceremony Coffee and Hunt Valley-based B.C. Brewery.

“You don’t have to know anyone with CF to know you did an amazing job and still got a pretty decent buzz on,” says Broadhurst with a laugh. “Personally, I’ve never been more motivated to fundraise because now a cure actually seems attainable. That’s something I never thought would happen.”

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

August 24-September 4: Maryland State Fair

Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium. Times vary. $3-8. 

Whether you’re 8 or 88, this quintessential summer ritual will make you feel young at heart, with amusement rides, carnival games, live animals, big-name blowout concerts—this year by hard-rock quartet Halestorm and Disney star turned pop singer Sabrina Carpenter—and best of all, fried fair food. While cotton candy, corn dogs, and caramel apples abound, head to the Maryland Foods Pavilion for crab cakes, soft-shell crabs, catfish salad, fried clams, pork barbecue, corn-on-the-cob, ice cream, and fresh fruit from Land of Pleasant Living farms or the Chesapeake Bay. 

 DRINK

August 26-October 22: Maryland Renaissance Festival

1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis. Times vary. Free-$25. 

Hear ye, hear ye! For nine straight weekends, the country’s second largest renaissance festival will post up in the Anne Arundel County countryside for all the jousting, flower crowns, turkey legs, and mead-fueled merriment your heart could desire. Settle into one of the long beer garden tables and enjoy beer, wine, and mead. Drink like you’re on Game of Thrones and soak it all up with ye old English turkey legs, crab cakes, and hot apple dumplings. Coming with the family? There will also be root beer floats for the kids. 

 SEE

August 25: Little Italy Open Air Film Festival

Da Mimmo Ristorante, 217 S. High St. 8:30 p.m. Free. 

You know summer is coming to a close when the last flick graces the Formstone walls of Little Italy. For one more hot summer night, grab a seat under the stars and join hundreds of Baltimoreans for this Charm City tradition. As it has been since the very beginning, the season finale screening will be Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso, projected onto the outside of Ciao Bella Restaurant, with free popcorn and live music for early bird cinemaphiles. 

 HEAR

August 24-26: J. Roddy Walston & The Business

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 8:30 p.m. $25-$65.

At Baltimore, we believe good things come to those who wait, and after four long years, we are thanking the music gods for the new music of J. Roddy Walston & The Business. On the eve of the music venue’s 20th anniversary, the once-local riotous Southern rock band returns to the Ottobar for the first time in several years, unleashing their brand-new album, Destroyers of the Soft Life, and hopefully some old favorites like “Used to Did” and “Brave Man’s Death.” Revel in Rod’s hair as it flips and flies in all its glory, and prepare to leave Remington soaked in sweat.

 DO

August 27: Dog Days Of Summer

Birroteca, 1520 Clipper Road. 12-5 p.m. Free. 

Calling all dog-lovers: this Sunday, collect your canine companions and head to Hampden-Woodberry border for an afternoon celebration of man’s best friends. At Birroteca, the pizza palace will be teaming up with BARCS and The Buddy Foundation of Maryland for a fete full of breweries—Dogfish Head, Monument City, Evolution, and the neighborhood’s own Union Craft Brewing—food from Birroteca, Encantada, and The Nickel Taphouse, and pet-friendly pop-up shops. Dress your pooch in his finest duds for the Best Dressed Dog Contest and be sure to snap a pic together in the Doggie Photo Booth.