Germantown October Fest will return to Germantown Town Center on Saturday, October 10, from 11am to 5pm, with live music, food, art, cultural programming and family activities.
The free festival will feature a headlining performance by two-time Grammy-nominated Southern hip-hop group Nappy Roots. The live stage, sponsored by Rappaport and BlackRock Center for the Arts, will be emceed by The MoCoShow’s “Mr. MoCo” Alex Tsironis. Organizers expect more than 6,000 attendees for what they anticipate will be the largest Germantown October Fest to date.
New this year is a partnership with The G.A.M.E., or The Great African Market Experience. The festival will host a mini version of the African cultural marketplace featuring select vendors, artisans, businesses, fashion, food and art.
The day will begin with a free 15-minute Spooky Family Dance Party at 11am, followed by a community parade led by the Seneca Valley High School marching band. Dance-party winners will be invited to participate in the parade. Additional attractions will include:
- BlackRock Artisan Market
- Children’s carnival with bounce houses, games and prizes
- Upcounty Business Expo
- The MoCoShow Beer Garden
- International food vendors
- Interactive art experiences from We Art Fun
- Community Organizations and Resource Fair
- Halloween Rewind Hangout featuring 1990s-inspired activities, games, entertainment and photo opportunities
- Drag Beer Garden Bingo hosted by Tula and Regina inside BlackRock’s BlackBox Theatre
The bingo event is a ticketed addition for guests 21 and older, with prizes that include complimentary drinks from the beer garden. The festival is hosted by the Germantown Town Center initiative of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Montgomery County, BlackRock Center for the Arts and other community organizations.
“October Fest is a celebration of community pride, cultural diversity, and local entrepreneurship,” Germantown Town Center Initiative Program Director Zeina Davis said. “From welcoming Grammy-nominated Nappy Roots to expanding our family experiences and celebrating cultures from around the world, we’re creating an event that truly reflects the energy, diversity, and creativity of Germantown.”
Applications are currently being accepted for artisan vendors, Business Expo exhibitors, parade participants and volunteers. Additional information is available at germantowntowncenter.org
