A stretch of Sligo Creek Parkway will be closed Saturday for a new street festival hosted by Montgomery Parks featuring live music, food, street performers and activities for all ages.
The Sligo Creek Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will run along Sligo Creek Parkway between Dennis Avenue and University Boulevard in Silver Spring, according to a parks department release. Admission is free.
The festival aims to highlight the parks department’s Open Parkways Program, which was initiated in 2020 as a way to provide more outdoor recreational space during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program closes portions of Sligo Creek Parkway, Beach Drive and Little Falls Parkway in the county to vehicles on weekends.
Drivers who frequently commute along Sligo Creek Parkway should be aware that open parkway hours will be extended Friday and roads will close to vehicle traffic starting at 5 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., according to the parks department.
Along the nearly 1-mile stretch of the festival, attendees can enjoy live music, yard games and activities provided by community groups such as Friends of Sligo Creek and the Sligo Woods Civic Association. There will also be tree-climbing and touch-a-truck activities for children.
Local bands such as Marsha and The Positrons and Groovy Nate will perform at the Kids’ Stage and Capital Effect and Uncle Jesse will rock out at the Main Stage. The Kid’s Stage will be located in the middle of the parkway in the blue zone and the Main Stage will be located in the green zone near Dennis Avenue.
Food and drink vendors are expected to include Catalyst Hotdogs, Fly Pizza Truck D.C., Clayboys Shave Ice and Lavish Ice Cream. In addition, Babycat Brewery, Denizens Brewing Co. and Silver Branch Brewing Co. will be on-site.
Montgomery Parks is encouraging those planning to attend to walk, bike or hike to the event using the network of county-operated trails leading to the parkway, the release said. Those attending should bring their own chairs and blankets as seating is limited. Dogs are allowed at the festival but must be leashed at all times.
Parking will be available at nearby schools such as the MacDonald Knolls Early Childhood Center at 10611 Tenbrook Drive, Forest Knolls Elementary School at 10830 Eastwood Ave., and Glen Haven Elementary School at 10900 Inwood Ave.
Those who would like to request a disability modification can contact the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Program Access Office at 301-495-2581, MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724, or email ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org.
For more information, visit the Montgomery Parks website.