By Olivia Borgula

Just outside the College Park Aviation Museum and Airport, musicians, colorful bouncy houses and rows of local food trucks welcomed College Park community members to annual College Park Day on Oct. 7.

The community festival has been held every year since 2010 with a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. Last year the event drew a crowd of more than 11,000, according to Ryna Quinones, the communications and events manager for College Park. 

“We started College Park Day with a wonderful group of people,” College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said. “The idea was to bring the people of different backgrounds in College Park together in one place like this.”

After a brief spout of rain, crowds streamed through the “Welcome to College Park” inflatable archway to enjoy the sunshine and crisp autumn weather. A scarecrow on stilts and a juggler greeted attendees at the entrance. 

“My main goal is to bring people joy,” professional entertainer Genevieve Lohr said while juggling. “I just love the atmosphere. It’s definitely very welcoming.”

At a tent near the stage, University of Maryland alum Brian Kristal set up rows of cages containing frogs, insects and arachnids. Kristal is the founder of Reptile Wonders, a traveling environmental education center. 

This year was Kristal’s first College Park Day. He said the best part was seeing people’s faces light up as they learned about the creatures. 

“You get to see [people]go from being nervous and apprehensive to elbowing people out of the way to start holding and touching,” Kristal said. “It’s been a beautiful experience, everyone’s so energetic, so wonderful.”

University students and faculty also participated in the festivities. Rows of tents contained resources and information about academic departments and student organizations. 

Tracy Riggins, a psychology professor at this university, helped run a tent with resources about psychology. She guided attendees making paper brain hats and coloring sections of the brain. 

Rachel Romeo, assistant professor in the College of Education and College Park resident, said her favorite part of College Park Day was talking to people from the community. She helped run the tent with Riggins. 

“I’ve seen  all of my neighbors and all of their kids and it’s a lot of fun,” Romeo said. 

Featured Image: Inflatable archway welcomes College Park community members to College Park Day on Oct. 7, 2023. Photo by Olivia Borgula.