The Old Bowie Celebrate! festival takes place this weekend with live entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, activities and more.
BOWIE, MD — The annual Old Bowie Celebrates festival returns this weekend as a nod to the city’s roots, celebrated with live entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, family-friendly activities and more.
“In the 1870s at the junction of two railway lines, Old Bowie — first known as Huntington — grew from farmland into a bustling town with shops, hotels, churches and homes. The Bowie Railroad Museum, along with its historic caboose, will be open to the public on festival day. Heritage Park playground also will welcome kids to play in its replicas of historic sites,” Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Committee member Heidi Golding told Patch.
The Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Committee, co-sponsored by the city of Bowie, organizes the annual festival. Old Bowie used to host smaller festivals, but over time, those slowly faded away, organizers shared.
“In 2021, we brought the tradition back with our very first Old Bowie Celebrates!—and it’s grown ever since, both the entertainment we showcase and the visitors that we welcome,” Golding added.
The event takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, with children’s activities, street performers, local and global cuisine, and an array of craft vendors.
“We’re so excited to celebrate our roots and our community on festival day,” festival co-chair Kathleen Parker told Patch. “It’s a chance to share the spirit of Old Bowie and welcome visitors to enjoy it all.”
Live entertainment includes jazz, classic R&B, rock and more. Featured performers include the Groove Spot Band, Hardway Connection, Owen Adams and Renee Georges. Cultural performances highlight the traditions of near and far, with appearances by an African drum and dance ensemble, Native American dancers, line dancing and a square dancing demonstration.
Hands-on activities include martial arts demonstrations, planting seeds, writing in hieroglyphics and more. There’s also face painting, a balloon twister, Echoes of Nature presenting animals inspired by the magical world of Harry Potter, and Eric Energy with demonstrations featuring clouds on the ground and vortex fog rings.
Street entertainment includes performances by a stilt walker, a juggler and magician, and ride a mini-train along the Heritage Hiking Trail to the nearby playground. History buffs can explore Bowie’s roots at the Train Museum and Welcome Center. The festival also showcases arts and crafts vendors, offering hand-crafted jewelry, wall art and more. This year, free health screenings will be available to attendees.
Between activities, festivalgoers can enjoy the local and ethnic foods on hand that range from classic festival fare to global dishes that celebrate the cultures of the area.
The festival stretches between 12th Street and Chestnut Avenue to Maple Avenue and 9th Street.