The Eighth Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, a showcase of creative marching art preceding a day of food, fun and entertainment, will return to Downtown Wheaton on Sunday, Sept. 29. The parade annually features art that can be pushed, pulled, carried, worn or performed—but none that is driven by motor vehicles. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is scheduled to participate in the festivities.
The parade, which starts at 10 a.m., traditionally has bands, dance groups, artists and large floats that march around the Wheaton Triangle Business District and finish at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton. Entries in the parade can be organized by groups of all kinds, and in some cases, by individuals.
There is still time to sign up to walk in the parade. Apply here for a chance to join more than 600 marchers who are already registered.
The festival area will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It will have more than 45 booths of exhibits, including those of artists displaying and selling their original work, community organizations and Montgomery County agencies. Activities will include art making and giveaways. Free art fun in the Kids' Zone will have face painting and balloon art.
Starting at noon, the festival will have three stages of entertainment including musicians presented by Strathmore and Carpe Diem Arts, showcases by local schools and dance companies galore from ballet to hip hop. The entertainment is as diverse as the Wheaton community, from Latin rhythms to rock and roll. This year, the festival features a beer pub next to one of the stages.
