The Parade itself arrives on Labor Day Monday morning. It sashays down Crescent Road from Greenhill to Southway, spits and polishes off with the police color guard, scoops up a pipe and drum corps, flourishes a frenzy of fire trucks, screams some sirens and projects a perfect perambulation of politicians – it’s all a hometown could hope for. But the Parade is just the jewel in a more expansive crown.
For the Athletic
Sunday, the day before the Parade, begins for cyclists with a Tour de Greenbelt starting at 9 a.m. at the New Deal Café. In two stages, it’s led by Greenbelt’s own bike-friendly pair, Mayor Emmett Jordan and Councilmember Kristen Weaver, with Laurie and Jeff Lemieux of Proteus Bicycles, who though unelected, have two successive Ridge Road addresses to confirm their Greenbelt pedigree. The first stage leaves at 9 a.m. to Greenbelt Station and back and the second at 10 a.m. goes on a round trip to Schrom Hills Park. Note: this unsupported ride may not be suitable for all ages.
For the Kids
Also on Sunday, a spate of kiddie activities begins at Braden Field at 10 a.m. with a classic egg-and-spoon race and the eternally ungainly sack race – followed by a water relay, sure to be extremely soggy and
undoubtedly not to be missed. On Braden Field at 10:30 a.m. T-Ball is available for all ages and at 1 p.m., there’s a cornhole tournament (12 years and older). Other kid-oriented activities take place in the Youth Center throughout the day. Check out children’s Bingo at 1 p.m. and the table tennis tournament (17 years and older) at 2 p.m.
For the Afficionados
For those of more aesthetic leanings, the craft fair is in Roosevelt Center Sunday and Monday with local artists displaying their hand-made items from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday and noon to 6 p.m. on Monday. Or join others at Who We Are: Making Connections, a participatory community art project on the Festival grounds. Use yarn to mark your choices and help weave a tapestry representing the community.
Sunday afternoon is rich in treasure. The Retro Town Fair winners are displayed from 1 to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Museum. The Museum itself is open from 1 to 5 p.m. There are ribbons to be won for flowers, veggies, baked and canned goods and needlework. (Entries are accepted from 10 to 11:30 a.m.) The Art and Photo show runs Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Monday from noon to 4 p.m. in the Community Center gym.
And for Music Fans
The stage starts up at noon Sunday with Greenbelt’s own Honk! Situation, a community street band in rainbow tie dyes delivering a fun, high-energy scene wherever they go. It brings together brass and drum players of all ability levels and experience to play New Orleans standards, pop and rock favorites.
Downtown Tumbao, forged in Mexico City and now transplanted to Baltimore, plays from 2 to 4 p.m. The band’s sound is one of the borderlands that merge Afro-Caribbean beats spanning Latin American styles and rhythms. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Rising Stars perform. And for those who like to dance, The Nowhere Men will get everyone up on their feet from 8 to 11 p.m. with that Motown sound with hits from The Temptations to Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Monday showcases Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes from 3 to 6 p.m. with classic blues and rock ’n’ roll from Chicago to West Coast Swing, Motown to Muscle Shoals.
Food and Fun
From noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, the carnival and booths are going full swing – rides, games, food and fun. If you want to put your feet up constructively, head for Bingo (benefitting Greenbelt Youth Baseball) at the picnic tables.
Celebration meals are available Monday with Luncheon on the Lawn at the Greenbelt Community Church starting after the parade. It’s a classic barbecue with the trimmings and dessert. Later, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Greenbelt American Legion, the annual Family Picnic is in full swing. Fun and food for all.
