The Germantown October Fest is set to return to the Germantown Town Center this Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a vibrant mix of live music, food, art, and family-friendly activities for the local community.
This year’s festival will feature a special performance by the Grammy-nominated Southern hip-hop group Nappy Roots. The live stage, supported by Rappaport and the BlackRock Center for the Arts, will be hosted by Alex Tsironis, known as “Mr. MoCo” from The MoCoShow. Organizers are anticipating a turnout of over 6,000 attendees, making this the largest Germantown October Fest to date.
A new addition this year is a collaboration with The G.A.M.E. (The Great African Market Experience), which will showcase a mini African cultural marketplace with various vendors, artisans, and food offerings.
The festival will kick off with a free Spooky Family Dance Party at 11 a.m., followed by a community parade featuring the Seneca Valley High School marching band. Winners from the dance party will have the opportunity to join the parade.
Additional highlights include the BlackRock Artisan Market, a children’s carnival complete with bounce houses and games, the Upcounty Business Expo, and The MoCoShow Beer Garden. Attendees can also enjoy international food vendors, interactive art experiences from We Art Fun, and a Community Organizations and Resource Fair.
A Halloween-themed area will offer 1990s-inspired activities, games, and photo opportunities. For adults, there will be a ticketed Drag Beer Garden Bingo event hosted by Tula and Regina in the BlackRock’s BlackBox Theatre, open to guests aged 21 and over.
The festival is organized by the Germantown Town Center initiative of the Gaithersburg Germantown Upcounty Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Montgomery County, the BlackRock Center for the Arts, and various community organizations.
“October Fest is a celebration of community pride, cultural diversity, and local entrepreneurship,” said Zeina Davis, Program Director for the Germantown Town Center Initiative. “From welcoming Grammy-nominated Nappy Roots to expanding our family experiences and celebrating cultures from around the world, we’re creating an event that truly reflects the energy, diversity, and creativity of Germantown.”
