2019 AFRAM Festival at Druid Hill Park (Photo credit: BCRP)
Baltimore AFRAM Festival to Return in August
The Cultural Festival Is Back for a Week-long Hybrid Experience
BALTIMORE, MD – Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) and their partners are excited to announce the return of the Baltimore AFRAM Festival. The 2021 festival will provide Baltimore residents and festival-goers a week-long hybrid experience beginning Monday, Aug. 15, with the main festival taking place virtually on Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21. The historic Druid Hill Park will once again act as the festivals’ hub, with both limited in-person and digital activities occurring in various landmark locations throughout the city.
Now in its 44th year, the Baltimore AFRAM Festival remains one of the largest African-American cultural arts festivals on the East Coast and a summer staple for the City of Baltimore. Due to health guidelines and restrictions of large gatherings caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, AFRAM’s 2020 festivities were canceled. However, Mayor Scott and BCRP remain committed to using the festival as an opportunity to highlight Baltimore’s best and brightest in Black art, fashion, food and culture.
“AFRAM is one of my favorite Baltimore traditions and although we cannot be in person this year, I am just as excited to partake in this hybrid setting,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “I commend Director Moore and BCRP for their tremendous work to ensure Baltimoreans can still enjoy this experience. I look forward to tuning in with all of you for this year’s festivities.”
“We are so happy to bring AFRAM back to Baltimore this summer,” said Baltimore City Recreation and Parks’ executive director, Reginald Moore. “Having to sit out of the 2020 festival due to Covid-19 restrictions gave our agency time to reflect and strategize on how to bring the city a safe but memorable festival experience for 2021. While this year’s festival won’t bring 100,000 people to the park, we believe that the spirit of AFRAM will still be felt.”
Details on performers, vendor information and how to attend/participate will follow in a separate announcement. Guests are encouraged to follow AFRAM on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.
Visit aframbaltimore.com for more details. The AFRAM Festival is always free and remains open to guests of all ages.
About the Baltimore AFRAM Festival
The Baltimore AFRAM Festival is presented by Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the City of Baltimore. The Festival officially started in 1976 as a part of Baltimore City’s Showcase of Nations. The multi-generational two-day live experience is slated to bring together the most dynamic voices in music, art and creativity.