The reappearance of an almost-normal Labor Day Festival is a heartwarming step in the journey back from two weird years. This year’s Festival re-establishes almost all the favorite traditions so, true to form, Friday evening sees the announcement of the 2022 Outstanding Citizen. Rumor has it that a generous-hearted city resident is being gently connived by a turncoat family member into visiting the Festival just in time for the announcement.
Friday Night Lights
The Festival opens Friday, September 2 at 6 p.m. with Bingo, the midway and food booths. Opening ceremonies take the stage from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., with a color guard and the Outstanding Citizen presentation. Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes are onstage live from 8 to 11 p.m. with a toe-tapping repertoire that includes everybody’s favorite Motown, rock’n’roll and blues.
This week’s issue of the News Review contains the Festival pullout schedule, cunningly contrived as a handy booklet (with a bit of scissoring and folding). The pullout includes information on the food booths – which range from Astronomical Society Fries, through Eleanor and Franklin Funnel Cakes, all the way to Sweet Potato Praline Cheesecake by the Greenbelt Community Animal Response Team and Chili Nachos from Babe Ruth Baseball – and much more in between. Plan the weekend’s menu accordingly.
A class act is the Greenbelt Elementary PTA book sale. Despite longstanding rumors that print is dead, the book sale is a big draw for the common or garden variety Greenbelt bookworm. Head there early and often as new layers of books are revealed.
Friday evening also offers the opportunity for a little exercise, with the adult table tennis tournament ping-ponging off at 6 p.m. in the Youth Center.
Events on Saturday
The fun starts early on Saturday, with Greenbelt Museum walking tours at 9 a.m. The midway opens at 11 a.m. and is in full swing until 10 p.m. All-you-can-ride tickets are available at the Festival, and discount vouchers are available at the Co-op through Wednesday, August 31 – ask at any register. Lots of food and drink choices will slake thirst and fill tummies.
And, speaking of worms, take in As the Worm Turns to view composting activities – start at the Green Team Table at 11 a.m.
The ever-popular children and teens Pet Show has registration at 9:30 a.m. on the Community Center lawn. Perhaps Fido has what it takes to be this year’s Most Enthusiastic Tail Wagger – every pet’s a winner at this show.
Fun events on Braden Field for the small fry start at 10 a.m. and include a water balloon toss, three-legged race and a diaper derby. Not to mention a pie-eating contest (11:30 a.m.) and a scavenger hunt (1 p.m.). For more sedate amusement, the art and photo shows are open from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Community Center gym. Rolling Shorts are featured free in the Old Greenbelt Theatre from noon to 3 p.m.
Information Day
Also on Saturday, local
organizations, including Greenbelt’s favorite newspaper, occupy Roosevelt Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get information on clubs, volunteer organizations and city services.
Saturday Music
Katy Gaughan’s Drumming for Wellness percussively kicks off Saturday’s rhythmic offerings at the stage from noon to 1:30 p.m. Then three bands are on the schedule. Sol y Rumba delivers a Latin flavor from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and Sista Pat’s eclectic mix of reggae, Motown, blues and Afrobeat follows from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Closing the music for the day is The Nowhere Men who play the greatest hits of the 60s and 70s – with dance-making tunes from the Four Tops, Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire – from 8 to 11 p.m.
Next week’s newspaper will give the rundown for Sunday and Monday activities.
There’s something for everyone in this year’s Festival.
Always remember Greenbelt is Great.