- At 6 p.m. on Friday, September 4, the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival returns to the town center. Here’s a quick guide to getting the most out of this beloved summer-ending Festival. This issue covers the events for Friday and Saturday; next week’s issue will focus on events for Sunday and Monday.
Friday, September 4
The Carnival Midway and booths open at 6 p.m. This year there is new, all-electronic ticketing for wristbands. Plan ahead to get ride tickets at a discount. Any four-hour block of unlimited rides is $20 in advance and $35 on the day and begins with the first ride. This is a change from set times for unlimited rides in years past. Ride-lovers will also be able to purchase an all-day pass for the first time for the cost of $50 in advance or $70 on the day for an unlimited day of rides. Those who only wish to get to the top of the Ferris wheel or try a couple of the midway offerings can purchase 14 credits for $20 instead, with each ride costing two to five credits.
Bingo also starts at 6 p.m. on the Community Center lawn, this year sponsored by both Greenbelt Youth Baseball and the Greenbelt Municipal Swim Team. They’ll also be collecting food donations to support St. Hugh’s food pantry.
In addition to the regular bingo on the lawn all weekend, anyone stopping by the Information Booth opposite the stage can pick up a Festival bingo card. Participate in fun activities around the Festival in this scavenger hunt-style bingo to win a special prize. Special memorial games for bigger cash prize amounts will be announced during the games. These activities happen each day for the remainder of the Festival.
Also at 6 p.m., the book sale kicks off in the midway. This is your chance to get the first pick of this year’s collection of thousands of used books. The sale is the major fundraiser of the year for Greenbelt Elementary School.
Opening Ceremonies
At 6:30 p.m., the Greenbelt Police and color guard will lead the Opening Ceremonies. This will include introduction of dignitaries, a performance of the National Anthem by Melissa Sites and the Outstanding Citizen presentation. This year’s emcee is former Mayor Judith Davis. There will be a sign language interpreter on stage. A reception for the 2026 Outstanding Citizen follows at 7:15 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
At 7:30 p.m., the bluegrass quartet Easy Greasy takes the main stage, followed by Dogo Du Togo, which will bring Togolese rhythms from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 5
First thing on Saturday, at 9 a.m., the Greenbelt Museum exhibition on the New Deal art of Lenore Thomas opens and goes until 5 p.m. The two-hour Bricks and Blocks Walking Tour, covering Greenbelt history and architecture, leaves from the Museum at 9 a.m. Visit the museum’s website to pre-register.
For kids and kids at heart, at 9:30 a.m. the Pet Show begins on the Community Center lawn sponsored by Girl Scout Troop #23007. Any kind of pet is welcome. Judging and awards begin at 10 a.m.
Always a big draw on Saturday is Information Day and Community Exhibits, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with local groups inviting all to learn how to participate in the community. Sign language interpretation will be available from 2 to 4 p.m.; meet in front of the New Deal Café.
Several events occur at Braden Field. First up at 10 a.m. is the Diaper Derby (kids under 3). At 10:45 a.m., the Balloon Waddle race teeters to a start. To cool down after, the Water Balloon Toss starts at 11:15 a.m. Finally, the pie-eating contest will be held at 11:45 a.m. Carnival rides, food trucks and booths, bingo and the book sale open for the day at 10:30 a.m.
The Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, an intergenerational group of women and non-binary drummers will take the stage from noon to 12:45 p.m.
After some fair food for lunch, the Photo Scavenger Hunt (for all ages) begins at the Youth Center at 1 p.m. and the Art and Photo Shows open in the Community Center.
The Youth Center Gym will host Hot Shot for kids 12 and under at 2 p.m. and the 2-Ball Tournament for 16-year-olds and up at 3:30 p.m.
At the stage catch Festival favorites Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes from 1:30 to 3 p.m., followed by the Colombian Caribbean rhythms of all-woman band La Marvela at 3:30 p.m. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., Soroche returns to the Festival with a fusion of cumbia, punk, ska, folk and more. From 7:15 to 8:45 p.m., Caleb Stine and the Brakemen take the stage and at 9:30 p.m. La Unica brings Irish Latin music to play out the first full Festival day until 11 p.m.
Food trucks, booths and other all-day activities close at 10 p.m.
Pull out the middle section of this week’s paper to save your own copy of the full Festival schedule.
