by: Auzinea Bacon
After a 2-year hiatus, College Park Day, the city’s signature celebration, is returning on Oct. 15. Festivities take off at noon at the College Park Airport and aviation museum, with about 150 organizations — food vendors and merchants, live entertainment and more — participating in the event.
The city’s biggest celebration launched more than a decade ago, and after being on hold, due to the pandemic, is celebrating its 10th installment this year. Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4) recalled for the Here & Now that College Park Day grew out of discussions among Councilmember Fazlul Kabir (District 1), Mayor Patrick Wojahn and a small group of residents. Some 8,000 residents are expected at this year’s event.
An assortment of local food vendors — Cocineros, Taqueria Habanero, Taim, Denizens Brewing Co., Big D’s Wings and more — will offer a taste of the town. The grounds will be hopping with entertainment, as well.
Gymkana, a gymnastic and acrobatics troupe at the University of Maryland, will perform throughout the day. The Wild Anacostias, East River Band, Groovalicious and Monsoon & S.T.O.R.M. Reggae Band will perform on the main stage.The Great Zucchini Magic Show will perform on the family stage, where two rounds of The Great Paper Airplane Competition will also take place — one for 6 to 7 year olds and another for 8 to 11 year olds.
The Wild Anacostias, a Louisiana-style party band, will liven up things with their traditional New Orleans and Cajun style music, and Groovalicious, a ‘70s dance and disco revival band, will fill in with funk. Band leader Shawn Sharifi is ready to celebrate the city: “We can’t wait to bring our boogy to College Park Day,” he grinned.
There should be something for just about everyone at the College Park Day celebration — even the College Park Here & Now, will have a table at the event. Come on out and meet the editors and contributors who bring you the paper each month and play a game of city trivia with us!
