The Damascus Placemaking Festival, a free, two-day community, takes place on Saturday, October 19 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will take place along one block of Main Street in Damascus (9801 Main St, Damascus, MD 20872).
According to Montgomery Planning, “the festival is the culmination of a collaborative, short-term special planning initiative to bring together local businesses, residents, visitors, and civic groups to temporarily reimagine a portion of Main Street in Damascus. Community members are working with the project team and community partners to bring ideas for Main Street to life. The two-day celebration will include local food, music, arts, and engagement activities in a welcoming place for residents to gather with their community. This initiative will help create a clear vision for a vibrant and welcoming Main Street that embraces and celebrates the community’s small-town charm.”
The Damascus Placemaking Festival is modeled on the White Flint Placemaking Festival that took place in 2018, the Burtonsville Placemaking Festival in 2019, and the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival in 2022. These events have each drawn 1,000 to 3,000 people over a weekend.
“Join us Saturday October 19 (1 to 6 p.m.) and Sunday October 20 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) as we temporarily reimagine a stretch of Main Street in Damascus! This street festival is free to the community and will feature local food, art, music, and activities for all ages!
Food and Beverage Vendors
The Hornets Nest Grille – Dine in on Main Street and checkout their extended patio seating
Brazil Gourmet Pizzeria & Grill – Dine in on Main Street or stop by their tent for Barbecue to go!
Java Cove Indonesian Kitchen Food Truck
Gem’s Savory Solutions Caribbean Food Truck
That Smoothie Place Smoothie & Juice Barv
Neighbors Barista Coffee Bar *Sunday 10/20 Only* offering a seasonal menu of locally roasted coffee drinks!
Beer Garden of LOCAL Producers (21+)
61 Vineyard
Stone Silo Brewery
Two Story Chimney Ciderworks
Family Friendly Activities and Entertainment
Nature on Wheels Parks RV with Montgomery Parks
Multi-use Cycle Track
Pickle Ball and Cornhole
Life-Size Chess Board
Face Painting and Coloring Contest with the Damascus Lions Club
Pumpkin Painting Contest Sponsored by Butler’s Orchard
Kids Play Fort and Bounce Bath
Fire Truck from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service
Check out dozens of Unique Craft Vendors including LOCAL Gail’s Doll Clothes, Something Earthy Pottery, Skyline Woodworks, Dibby Creations, Two Farmhouse Chicks and local organizations such as the American Legion Post 171 and the Damascus Y Women.
While you are in town stop by the Damascus Heritage Society Museum for a special exhibit about the history of downtown Damascus!
** SATURDAY Schedule **
Yoga Class with Fitness 1440 Damascus
Royal Tiger Academy Marital Arts Performance
ZamDance Performance with Jackie Zamora and the ZamDancers
AFRO Latin Fusion Dance Experience with Angela Gonzales
** SUNDAY Schedule **
Meet your Neighbors Coffee Social – grab some coffee from the Neighbors Barista Coffee Bar and get to know your neighbors with a fun activity organized by community members
Martial Arts Class with Han Mi Martial Arts
Dance and sing along to crowd pleasing classics with Cold Brew 42
Damascus Studio of Dance Performance
Zumba Class with Fitness 1440
Close out the weekend with a Fashion Show by Style Me Sue Consignments
Come see how we transform Main Street into a vibrant community destination in the heart of Damascus! Special thanks to our many partners – Ruppert Landscape, Arena Graphics, Poppin’ Party Services, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, Gladhill Brothers, the Damascus Heritage Society, Butlers Orchard, Zoom Fuel, Montgomery Parks, Montgomery County Recreation, Upcounty Regional Services Center, MCDOT RideOn, and MCPD District 5 – for their role in bringing this vision to life!”
