By Ethan Broschart

The City of College Park hosted its 13th annual College Park Day at the city’s aviation museum on Saturday for students, families and local community members, celebrating with food, live music and free admission to the museum exhibits. 

The event, which ran from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., entertained attendees using three stages for performances — a main stage for local bands, a stage for family and children-oriented bands and a community stage featuring other types of performances. The third stage hosted groups like the Kangaroo Kids, a youth jump rope team from Howard County, and the University of Maryland Gymkana gymnastics troupe.

As attendees entered the festival grounds at noon, Maryland-based band Mama Moon and the Rump Shakers kicked the day off with an hour-long set on the main stage. 

“I was very excited to play here,” Anisha “Mama Moon” Newbill, the lead singer of Mama Moon and the Rump Shakers, said. “We’ve been everywhere, but College Park is an area we have yet to touch until today … I would come back every year.” 

Newbill and the Rump Shakers were one of many local bands and artists featured throughout the day, giving attendees many opportunities to enjoy performances. 

“We really love to showcase the College Park community,” Ryna Quiñones, the College Park communications and events manager, said. “We have 16 food vendors, two breweries, every kind of fun game, inflatables, pumpkin painting … community exhibitors, you name it.”

Attendees purchased meals and snacks from various food trucks and vendors, and while some sold typical fairground snacks like popcorn and cotton candy, other vendors brought a diverse array of food. The “food zone” featured vendors like Cousin Maine Lobster, Taqueria Habanero and BliMan Kitchen Indonesian cuisine. 

Families and community members in attendance also interacted with local exhibitors and businesses from College Park. This included several city departments, such as the Department of Economic Development, the Educational Advisory Committee and the Restorative Justice Commission. 

“The city has so many of our departments and committees out, just to showcase all that is College Park and our amazing and vibrant community,” Quiñones said. 

As attendees walked around the department exhibits, they got the chance to interact with city departments and understand what they do and how they serve College Park. 

“It’s not just vendors. It’s also stuff for the city that you may not have access to if you didn’t come,” Rehanna Barre, a College Park economic development intern, said. “You’re reinvesting your money into your own community…if you want to support your community, this is a great way to do that.”

Featured Image: A College Park Day event map sits in front of a monster truck inflatable. Photo by Ethan Broschart.