County to Host Independence Day Fireworks Shows in Kensington and Germantown

Montgomery County will host two free Independence Day fireworks displays this year, one on Saturday, July 1, and the other on Tuesday, July 4.

The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

• Saturday, July 1, 6 p.m. “Mid-County Sparkles.” Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington.
• Tuesday, July 4, 7 p.m. “Germantown Glory.” South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Germantown (Boyds).

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. "We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.”

Mid-County Sparkles will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, with concerts by Ocho de Bastos, an Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band. The only parking available on-site will be for individuals with disabilities. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m., from Westfield Wheaton, located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road. Event goers who park at Westfield Wheaton prior to 5:30 p.m. may be subject to towing by the property owner. Follow the directional signs for event parking and shuttles.

Germantown Glory will kick off at 7 p.m. on July 4 with a concert by Forever Tina, a tribute band to the late queen of rock and roll, Tina Turner. On-site parking is available.

The fireworks displays will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. at both celebrations. The timing of the fireworks may change due to weather conditions. Lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. There will be food vendors at both locations. Alcoholic beverages and pets are not permitted.

Sign language interpreter services and other auxiliary aids or services will be provided upon request with as much notice as possible, preferably at least three business days before the event. To request special accommodations, contact 240-777-6840 or email rec.inclusion@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Maryland Soccerplex, Montgomery Parks and Westfield Wheaton are the main sponsors of the events.

For more information, call MC311 at 311 or 240-777-0311 or visit the Montgomery County Recreation website.

14th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival Will Have Packed Lineup of Outstanding Performers

The 14th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival will have a packed lineup of outstanding performers from June 11-17. A full day of free music will take place from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.

Throughout the week, there will performances at various venues throughout Silver Spring.

The first half of the June 17 festival will feature acoustic performances. Starting at 3 p.m. the lineup becomes more varied, capped with a performance by Clarence “The Blues Man” Turner. The evening will conclude with an all-star jam session starting at 9 p.m.

The festival is presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. World-renown musician Daryl Davis will host the June 17 event.

The June 17 lineup will include:

• Archie Edwards Blues Ensemble, 10 a.m.
• Blues Panamuse, 11 a.m.
• Women in the Blues, noon.
• Ale Ponti from Italy, 1 p.m.
• Harmonica workshop with Geoff “Stingy Brim” Seals, 2 p.m.
• School of Rock Doin’ the Blues, 3 p.m.
• Pepper featuring Jesi Terrill, 4 p.m.
• Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes, 5 p.m.
• Mark “The Muleman” Massey from Memphis, 6 p.m.
• The Boneshakers with Ron Holloway, 7 p.m.
• Clarence “The Blues Man” Turner, 8:30 p.m.
• All-star jam, 9 p.m.

More information about the festival is available at https://silverspringdowntown.com/do/14th-annual-silver-spring-blues-festival.

Montgomery Parks June Special Events and Programs Will Include Parks Playhouse Performances, a Twilight Concert Series and MudFest

A full lineup of special events and programs in June sponsored by Montgomery Parks will include the start of the summer Parks Playhouse performances, its Summer Twilight Concert Series, Heritage Days, MudFest, Juneteenth celebrations and Pride Month events.

June special events and programs will include:

• Parks Playhouse. Thursday, June 22. Various times and locations. Parks Playhouse is a summer series of free live performances to celebrate the artistry of local bands, troupes and groups.
• Summer Twilight Concert Series. Tuesdays, June 6, 13, 20 and 27. 6:30–8 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. The Tuesday evening series has free musical performances set in the beauty of the gardens. Each performance features a different musical genre—swing, classic rock, funk, and Latin pop. Bring friends, family, chairs, blankets and picnics (allowed in the gardens on concert evenings only). Food will be available for purchase at each event. Free.
• Birding for All (Pride Month). Saturday, June 10. 4:30 – 6 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. The afternoon of birding starts with a brief overview of birding, along with helpful tips. Then participants can either join a naturalist on a guided trail walk or remain with a naturalist on the back deck. Binoculars are recommended, but will also be provided onsite. LGBTQIA+, BIPOC and accessibility communities are especially welcome. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free.
• Parks Playhouse Junior. June 13‒15, June 25‒27. Looking for something to do this summer with the little ones? Bring them out to Parks Playhouse Junior for an hour of fun and entertainment they will love. Free.
• “Milo the Magnificent” puppet show with Alex and Olmsted. 10‒11:15 a.m.
• Tuesday, June 13. Germantown Town Center Urban Park
• Wednesday, June 14. Falls Road Local Park
• Thursday, June 15. Ellsworth Urban Park
• “Peter and the Wolf” with The Puppet Co. 10‒11 a.m.
• Sunday, June 25. Wheaton Local Park
• Monday, June 26. Fairland Recreational Park
• Tuesday, June 27. Falls Road Local Park.
• MudFest. Saturday, June 17. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Woodstock Equestrian Special Park, 20207 Darnestown Road, Beallsville. A muddy mess of fun for the whole family. Jump slip and slide in giant mud pits. Make mud art, mud pies, and play games. Rain or shine. Tickets required and available for advance purchase, but can also be purchased onsite. $20 per car.
• Pride Awareness Hike. Sunday, June 18. 10 a.m.-noon. Fairland Recreational Park, 3928 Greencastle Road, Fairland. Take a hike and celebrate the diversity, inclusivity and self-expression of the LGBTQ+ community who enjoy hiking and exploring the outdoors. Snacks and water included, as well as time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and take photos. At the end of the hike, participants can gather for a picnic and socialize with other hikers. Registration required. Free.
• Special Opening: Juneteenth. Monday, June 19. 10 a.m. –4 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum & Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring. The Josiah Henson Museum & Park and Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park will open for special hours in celebration of Juneteenth. Self-guided tours and special hands-on activities will be available for families. All ages. $4 for children and seniors. $5-adults.
• Never Grow Up: Playdates for 55+ Wednesday, June 21.10-11:30 a.m. Johnsons Local Park, 18000 Washington Grove Lane, Gaithersburg. Spend time outdoors sipping coffee or tea, playing games, sharing stories and laughs with friends old and new. This edition celebrates International Yoga Day with laugh yoga. Registration required. Free.
• History Hour. Wednesday, June 21. 6 –7 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum & Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Lecture series featuring local historians, educators and others sharing their knowledge of local and regional history. This month is a presentation by David Goodrich, author of On Freedom Road: Bicycle Explorations and Reckonings on the Underground Railroad. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $5.
• Foodie Fridays: Cultivating Traditions. Friday, June 23. 6:30 –8:30 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum & Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. The first Foodie Fridays is a post-Juneteenth celebration with local grower Tanya Doka-Spandhla of Passion to Seed Gardening, Nia Nyamweya of Beauty Blooms Farm and Anthony Cohen of The Menare Foundation and Button Farm Living History Center. Registration fee includes light refreshments, drinks and a ticket to Josiah Henson Museum. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $10.
• Heritage Days. Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25. Heritage Days is a countywide festival highlighting historic, cultural and outdoor recreation sites offering special programming including exhibits, demonstrations, live music and activities for children. All ages. Free.
• June 24. Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. 10 a.m.‒ 4 p.m.
• June 24. Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park. Noon‒ 4 p.m.
• June 24. Seneca Store. Noon‒ 4 p.m.
• June 25. Josiah Henson Museum & Park. Noon‒ 4 p.m.
• June 25. Harper Cabin. Noon‒ 4 p.m.

For more details, visit the Summer 2023 Montgomery Parks Program Guide. Go to the Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.

Brookside Gardens Hosts ‘Summer Twilight Concert Series’ Tuesday Evenings in June

Montgomery Parks will return of the “Summer Twilight Concert Series,” a series of free, live performances every Tuesday in June highlighting a different genre of music each week at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. The next performance will feature the classic rock of the Sandra Dean Band from 6:30-8 p.m. on June 13.

Brookside Gardens is located at 1800 Glenallan Ave. in Wheaton. Attendees should bring family and friends, chairs, blankets, and a picnic (permitted at Brookside Gardens on concert evenings only). Food trucks also be provided meals and snacks for purchase.

The remaining concert series lineup:

• June 13. Sandra Dean Band (classic rock)
• June 20. Blue Funk Band (funk)
• June 27. Son Horizonte (Salsa/Latin jazz)

“This is the 20th year we are bringing live musical performances to the Gardens,” said Stephanie Oberle, director of Brookside Gardens. “The bands span a variety of musical styles, so there’s really something for all tastes this season. We are grateful to the Friends of Brookside Gardens, whose generous donation makes these free concerts possible for our community.”

Alcohol Beverage Services to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Gaithersburg Square ‘Oak Barrel & Vine’ Store on June 15

Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open its new Gaithersburg Square store under its upgraded retail concept, “Oak Barrel & Vine,” at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 15. Elected officials and alcohol industry representatives plan to attend the opening. Walt “The Wizard” Williams, a former basketball star at the University of Maryland who went on to play 11 seasons in the NBA, will be present to sign bottles of his Clutch vodka.

The celebration and ribbon cutting will occur in front of the store, located in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center at 512 N. Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg. Throughout the weekend of Thursday-Sunday, June 15-18, the store will offer special tastings including those of Maryland-made products, high-end spirits and Juneteenth specials.

For the grand opening, some rare and highly allocated (HAL) items will be available for purchase. Each specific highly allocated item will be limited to one bottle per customer. No more than two HAL bottles can be purchased per customer, per day. The items will be available for purchase starting when the doors open at 10 a.m. on the day of the grand opening. Available HAL products will be posted on the ABS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/ABS/HAL/ 48 hours prior to the opening.

“My appreciation to our county’s ABS, which has contributed more than $35 million of revenue last year alone to the taxpayers of Montgomery County and more than $306 million over the last 10 years and which is continuing to improve its services and offerings,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The new Gaithersburg Square store is another example of their working to provide a first-rate experience for our customers.”

The Oak Barrel & Vine branded stores feature handpicked items with a focus on spirits and locally manufactured products. The new Gaithersburg Square location will be the largest of the ABS stores and is the third to carry the Oak Barrel & Vine brand. It will feature a large tasting room and event space, an improved selection of small format items, a dedicated non-alcoholic products section, queue lines for faster checkout, wayfinding signs, and enhanced customer accessibility.

“The Gaithersburg Square Oak Barrel & Vine store will provide customers with the tasting and educational space they have been requesting,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “The Oak Barrel & Vine brand is designed to reflect our community by showcasing local products and providing dynamic service in a safe and inviting environment. The large tasting room will allow customers to engage more fully, turning shopping into an experience.”

Opening weekend tastings schedule:

Thursday, June 15

• 1-4 p.m. – Boordy Vineyards (Maryland)
• 1-4 p.m. – Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Rye
• 1-4 p.m. – Silver Branch Brewing (Maryland)
• 4-7 p.m. – Intercept Wines (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• 4-7 p.m. – Noble Oak Bourbon and Rye

Friday, June 16

• 1-4 p.m. – Old Line Whiskey (Maryland)
• 1-4 p.m. – Tenth Ward (Maryland)
• 1-4 p.m. – Brookeville Beer Farm (Maryland)
• 4-7 p.m. – Ten to One Rum (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – Intercept Wines (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – High Noon RTD and Don Fulano Tequilas

Saturday, June 17

• 1-4 p.m. – Ten to One Rum (Juneteenth promo)
• 1-4 p.m. – Intercept Wines (Juneteenth promo)
• 1-4 p.m. – Clutch Vodka (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – Dalmore Scotch
• 4-7 p.m. – Casamigos Tequila
• 4-7 p.m. – Orin Swift Wine

Sunday, June 18

• 1-4 p.m. – High Noon Tall Cans
• 1-4 p.m. – Hennessy VS and VSOP
• 1-4 p.m. – Coconut Cartel

The first Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Cabin John Village Shopping Center, opened in 2021 and has become a customer favorite. The Montrose store was converted to the Oak Barrel & Vine brand and re-opened in January 2023. ABS intends to upgrade its remaining retail stores to the Oak Barrel & Vine brand over the next several years.

The Gaithersburg Square store will be open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sundays.

For a full list of ABS store locations and hours, visit the ABS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/ABS/stores/.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars.

Follow ABS on Facebook and Twitter.

Summer Reading Challenge! Starts at Montgomery County Public Libraries on Saturday, June 17, with Theme of ‘All Together Now’

The Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) Summer Reading Challenge! will begin on Saturday, June 17, at the Rockville Memorial Library with a theme of All Together Now. The slogan represents kindness, friendship and unity. 

Children and teens are invited to sign up for the Challenge online or at any MCPL branch. Pre-registration is now open.

The Summer Reading Challenge! runs through Aug. 31. It is sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc., and the Washington Nationals baseball team.

MCPL’s Summer Reading Challenge! offers a chance to fill summer with great books and fun learning activities, as well as in-person and virtual events. This year, MCPL and Friends of the Library, Montgomery County are teaming up with several nonprofit organizations to help spread kindness to local animals, people and the planet.

When participants read and earn their first e-badge, Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and Friends of Montgomery County Animals will help adoptable pets find their forever homes. For earning the second e-badge, Manna Food Center will feed families throughout the community. On behalf of those who earn their third e-badge, Montgomery Parks Foundation will install 450 solar panels, providing green energy to power local parks.

The indoor-outdoor kick-off event on June 17 at the Rockville Memorial Library will include:

• Summer Reading Challenge! signups and book giveaways.
• Craft tables.
• Strolling magician Abracadabra Alex.
• Musical performance by drummer Kofi Dennis.
• Hands-on educational tables to learn more about Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center, Friends of Montgomery County Animals, Manna Food Center and the Parks Foundation.

To participate in the program:

• Sign up (or log in) to pre-register online.
• Starting June 17, read books and do activities to earn online badges throughout the summer.
• Optional: Print an Early Literacy or Elementary School Age game board at home or pick one up at a local library. Gameboards are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Amharic, French and Korean.
• Teens will complete a bingo board of activities by reading books, attending library

programs and helping their community for a chance to win prizes.

For more information about the program, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library. More information is also available by contacting Tyler Chadwell-English at James.Chadwell-English@montgomerycountymd.gov.

26th Juneteenth Celebration with Music, Artistic Performances and Educational Exhibits Will Be on Saturday, June 17, in Germantown

Montgomery County’s 26th Juneteenth Celebration will be held from noon-10 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown on Saturday, June 17. This year’s theme, “Journey to Freedom: Acknowledge, Educate, and Celebrate” will showcase tracing the African American struggle for freedom through education, art, dance, music and honoring elders.

The celebration weekend will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at BlackRock when County Executive Marc Elrich leads ceremonies to honor the 2023 winners of the County’s African American Living Legends Awards. The awards honor individuals who are 75 or older and have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness to their community.

BlackRock Center for the Arts is located at 12901 Town Commons Dr. in Germantown.

The County Office of Human Rights and the County Executive’s African American Advisory Group are coordinating the program in partnership with the BlackRock Center for the Arts to commemorate the 158th anniversary of the events of June 19, 1865. On that day, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Federal troops arrived in Galveston, Tex., to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its enslaved persons. The event today is known as Juneteenth and is celebrated widely across the United States.

“Juneteenth is an important part of our nation’s history, and although the special day is just getting its proper attention in parts of the country, Montgomery County has been celebrating Juneteenth for almost three decades,” said County Executive Elrich. “This year’s event in Germantown will be bigger than ever, but one of the most significant parts will be recognizing people who have devoted their lives to serving our community through the African American Living Legends Awards. I am honored to again be able to host the program as part of the Juneteenth weekend and I encourage people to come to BlackRock to have fun—and learn.”

New this year, the festivities, designed for the entire family, will include “Trail of Knowledge” educational passport activities, experiential-based activities to learn about the Civil Rights Movement, a historical journey of African American Music and artistic entertainment and food trucks. Activities will take place both inside the arts center, on the adjacent lawn and at the Germantown Town Center Urban Park.

The musical performance will be highlighted by the Chuck Brown Band and the Voices of Classic Soul Band.

County Executive Elrich will again host the African American Living Legend Awards on June 16 to honor distinguished individuals who are living legends in Montgomery County and have helped shape the cultural heritage of the African American community. The honorees are recognized for dedicating their lives to service and excellence, with accomplishments in areas including business, health, media, sports, education, law, ministry, community organizations, medicine or politics.

“The end of slavery not only meant freedom for a people, it meant freedom for a nation,” said Office of Human Rights Director James Stowe. “However, freedom is not free and nothing is guaranteed. As long as we still see efforts at voter suppression nationwide, confrontation with law enforcement and excessive force issues for Black and Brown people, increased acts of violence and intimidation toward a number of groups, social justice crisis and a fragile democracy; the fight for true freedom continues. This is a must-attend program for every freedom-loving member of our community. Even though COVID-19 concerns have eased, we will be observing any County-required safety measures that may be in place at that time.”

Information and details about the celebration, and information on how to nominate someone for the African American Living Legends Awards, will be available on the Office of Human Rights website.

For more information, call Office of Human Rights Director Stowe at 240-888-5502.

$140,000 for Two Technical Assistance Awards Received from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been awarded a total of $140,000 in technical assistance by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board (TPB) for Fiscal Year 2024 through two road planning programs.

“The funding provided by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments will accelerate the advancement of projects that would otherwise have taken years to develop,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Montgomery County has a best-in-class transportation network. These funds will support critical ‘first-mile, last-mile’ transportation studies, connecting bus riders to and from major transit stations, and will advance important pedestrian safety improvements.”

A technical assistance award, for $60,000, is part of the TPB Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program.

The funds will be used to study the County’s Ride On Flex service. Flex is an innovative shared ride service, offering on-demand transit service in defined Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton zones. Riders request the service via the Flex app, or by calling 240-301-3842. Flex accepts ride requests to and from any location within the service zones and provides curb to curb service for those with disabilities.

“The awards will contribute significantly to our vision of creating safe, accessible transportation that adapts to the changing needs of our region,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “By implementing real-time responsive transportation options, we can better serve our community, and in a more resource-efficient way.”

The funded study will evaluate travel behaviors and conditions, market opportunities and service delivery options to improve ridership and expand Flex service or the future. The study will involve public outreach, data collection and will review and coordinate with recommendations from MCDOT’s county-wide Ride on Reimagined study.

The study will build upon a FY 2019 TLC-funded study that evaluated the first six months of Flex service and identified new areas for possible expansion.

The other funding, for $80,000, was awarded under the TPB Regional Roadway Safety Program.

This award will advance a comprehensive assessment and design study for safety improvements along Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill.

Bel Pre Road was selected for being a high-incident network that is heavily traveled. The project is in a Transportation Planning Board Equity Emphasis Area and has a high concentration of low-income and minority populations.

Countermeasures proposed by the project will address roadway users' safety and mobility issues, especially pedestrians, related to accessing activity centers, including schools, shopping centers and the numerous bus stops throughout the corridor.

The application was in partnership with the County’s Vision Zero office.

“This award provides crucial funding that will allow us to create walkable communities that center pedestrian safety by design,” said Director Conklin. “This is particularly important in communities that are home to a disproportionate number of low-income and minority populations who may not have regular access to a personal vehicle.”

The proposal garnered support from County officials, including County Council President Evan Glass and County Chief Administration Officer Richard S. Madaleno, who wrote letters in support of the project.

Both projects are slated to begin in FY24 and will last for one year.

Ride with Pride Bus’ Adds to Celebration of June as Pride

The Montgomery County Maryland Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has unveiled a “Ride with Pride” themed Ride On bus to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its allies during June, which is recognized as Pride Month.

Wrapped with the Intersex Progress Pride Flag, adorned with Ride with Pride messaging and neon lights to stand out at night, the bus is dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ+ voices, culture and civil rights.

In addition to the Pride Bus, all MCDOT buses will have #RidewithPride poster displays on board in June, with a QR code that will direct to a web page with information about the historical and cultural significance of the LGBTQ+ community.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Evan Glass, Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Woods, Councilmembers and members of the Montgomery Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly rode the bus on June 1 on its inaugural journey to a ceremony to raise the Progress Pride Flag outside of the Executive Office Building in Rockville.

“The Ride with Pride Bus is both a symbol of our commitment to social justice and equality and a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community,” said County Executive Elrich. “Montgomery County is the most diverse County in the State and one of the most diverse in the nation. The Pride Bus serves as a signal that the County is a safe and welcoming environment for anyone who lives, works or visits here.”

The Pride Bus will be deployed on bus routes throughout Montgomery County. Riders are encouraged to post photos of the bus to social media with the tag #RideWithPride.

“I am proud to unveil this bus, the first of its kind in Maryland, as a symbol of support to our LGBTQ+ employees, customers and the greater community,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Public transportation plays a vital role in creating a safe and equitable society, and we have a particular duty to uplift groups that have historically been marginalized.”

Riders hoping to catch the Pride Bus can check the MCDOT #RidewithPride page for a general schedule. Look for photos of the Ride On #RidewithPride bus in motion on the MCDOT social media channels or by following the #RideWithPride hashtag. Riders are encouraged to post and share their bus photos in support.

Fernando Santiago of Silver Spring Selected as Winner of 2023 Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival Poster

The poster for the seventh annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival will be based on a design submitted by Fernando Santiago, a Silver Spring artist and resident. As the winner of poster contest, he will receive a cash prize of $500 donated by IHOP Wheaton.

The poster contest was open to all residents of Montgomery County. After Mr. Santiago’s artwork was selected, Wheaton Arts Parade designer Josue Martinez of Corinto Gallery incorporated it into the design for the poster and T-shirt. It will be featured in all promotional materials leading up to the parade.

The annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival will take place on Sunday, Oct. 25, in the Wheaton Triangle and on the Marian Fryer Plaza right above the Wheaton Metro Station. The Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival is a day for residents, artists, businesses and civic organizations to celebrate art and Wheaton’s diverse community. At the end of the art parade, the community gathers at a festival of performances, art exhibits and food.

"My family loves parades. We are known to travel long distances to see them,” said Mr. Santiago. “In 2019, we were at the Wheaton Arts Parade and it was amazing. The floats, the artists and the overwhelming love of art struck a chord in me. It was after the 2019 arts parade that I decided to get back into art. I had not made art since graduating from my art high school in Puerto Rico in 1996, but watching all those artists marching in the arts parade inspired me to ask ‘If not now, when?’ This is the phrase I chose to portray in my submission to the poster competition. In it, I show regular people taking a chance to bring beauty to the world they inhabit.”

As part of the prize, IHOP will donate an additional $100 for art supplies to Glenallan Elementary School in Mr. Santiago’s honor. He selected Glenallan to receive the supplies because his daughter attended school there when they first moved to Montgomery County.

“As a life-long resident of Wheaton and local business owner, I appreciate what Wheaton Arts Parade has done to celebrate our community and activate the arts district," said IHOP owner and prize sponsor William Moore. "I am honored to sponsor the annual poster contest and to reward the creative efforts of local artists like Fernando.”

More than 50 festival tents are available in the 2023 festival for artists to rent to exhibit and sell their original artwork and for arts organizations and community organizations to promote their work. The day is inspired by the parade and the closure of roads so that people can pull giant floats and show off their art, play music and dance,

Schools and community organizations are encouraged to make floats for the arts parade and artists of all kinds are invited to push, pull, carry, wear or perform their art in the parade. There are no motor vehicles. It is free. Registration is open now for parade participants, art vendors, performers, exhibitors and food vendors. There are even funds available for individuals and groups to make their floats and parade art.

To register or learn more about the parade and festival, go to www.wheatonartsparade.org. More information also is available by emailing info@wheatonartsparade.org.