Last Spring, I blogged about the amazing Spring and Summer festivals in Baltimore that you really can’t miss. Since this past weekend was Flower Mart, I realized I am already behind in keeping you all informed. Here are dates and info on a few of my favorites:
Sowebo Arts & Music Fest: (May 26th) This year, Sowebo occurs during Memorial Day Weekend. Break out your flowy dresses and dreadlocks for this bohemian music-lovers mecca! Sowebo stands for South West Baltimore and the fun can be found in the Hollins Market area on the 1100 and 1000 blocks of Hollins Street. There are 3 stages with jam packed schedules for local bands. There is also a food court and art and craft vendors. This year, 46 artists will be displaying and selling their work. What’s great about Sowebo is the wide variety and abundance of music. If you don’t like the sound of a particular band, just amble over to another stage and you will eventually find one that rings your bell.
Federal Hill Jazz and Blues Festival: (June 2nd) this event features live music on two stages all day, arts & crafts, food, a Boordy Vineyards Wine Garden, artists, and a section for children called Kids’ Kross Street! It all takes place in the heart of Federal Hill on South Charles Street between Hamburg and West and on Cross Street next to Cross Street Market. Kids’ Kross Street will have moon bounces, a play areas for toddlers, crafts and face painting.
Honfest: (June 8th-9th) Welcome to Bawlmer Hon! This hilarious street fair takes over the small, eclectic neighborhood of Hampden, which is already a fun place filled with lovely boutiques and trendy restaraunts. The madness occurs on 4 blocks of 36th Street, otherwise know as The Avenue and assembles a variety of fair food, bands and crafts. The Miss Hon pageant allows you to see the very best Hons Hampden has to offer as they strut across the stage in cat eye glasses, beehive hairdos and leopard print. What’s really unique about Honfest is that anyone can be a Hon. You can show up in shorts and a t-shirt, get your hair “done” right there at the festival, add a hot pink feather boa and you’ll blend right in! If you don’t want to dress the part, you will still be entertained by one of the best people-watching opportunities of the whole year.
Artscape: (July 19th-21st) This is the largest free-of-charge art show on the East coast and draws in over 150 artists and craftsmen and 350,000 attendees each year. My nickname for this event is “Sweatfest” because it always seems to occur on the hottest days in July, but that’s a good reason to buy one of those giant lemonades and it’s still a great time. The festival takes place over 12 city blocks on Mt. Royal Avenue and Charles Street. The Artscape website claims it will have 122 spot-a-pots, so you can have as much lemonade as you want! I can honestly say that I’ve never left Artscape empty handed, the variety of talented artists is unbelievable and you’ll see everything from jewelry to pottery to handmade clothing. There’s also entertainment in the form of concerts, dancers and theatrical performances.
There are my recommendations. What is your favorite Baltimore festival? Let me know!