Date: October 4 – 5, 2008
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Fells Point - from Harbor Point east along Thames Street to Wolfe Street and along Broadway as far north as Gough Street.
Baltimore's Fells Point Fun Festival began as a small neighborhood festival more than 40 years ago as a way to raise money to keep the waterfront neighborhood from succumbing to the wrecking ball as city officials planned an interstate straight through the historic neighborhood.
Just a few blocks east of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Fells Point has retained the charm of an early American seaport but is well known for its bars and nightlife.
Today the festival, which still raises money for The Preservation Society of Fells Point and Federal Hill, has ballooned to an annual extravaganza that attracts 700,000 visitors.
Getting to the Fells Point Festival
Entertainment
- Music - Five stages through out the festival area feature rock 'n' roll, bluegrass, jazz, blues, folk, Cajun, country, gospel, barbershop, dancing and more
- Kids and family area – Puppet shows, clowns, street performers, games, art projects and more are all free – Ann St. between Lancaster and Thames Sts.
- La Plaza Hispana - Latino music and bands, salsa lessons, South American cuisines and retailers - between Fleet St. and Eastern Ave. on Broadway
- Carnival rides - between Eastern and Gough Sts. On Broadway
Food and Drink
- Local restaurants and bars - This is Fells Point, so there is no shortage of dining destinations. And Fells Point bars stay open after the festival closes down.
- Beer Gardens – Once upon a time, folks could wander the streets with a beer, purchased in a local bar, in hand. Today alcohol consumption is limited to inside bars and inside designated areas (i.e. beer gardens, though most serve more than beer).
- La Plaza Hispana (between Fleet St. and Eastern Ave. on Broadway) has a designated drinking area.
- Thames Street Park (Wolfe and Thames Sts.) in past years has had alcohol vendors. Tables are set up inside the fenced playground area.
- Harvest Garden at the far western end of Thames Street is the largest beer garden. Offering Maryland microbrews and other beers, this area has a music stage and a charitable money wheel.
- Food vendors - More than 40 vendors in four food courts offer just about anything you can imagine.
Vendors
- Art & Crafts Row - More than 100 vendors exhibit handmade wares -Thames Street between Broadway and Wolfe
- International Bazaar - More than 250 retailers hawk items from around the world -Thames Street between Broadway and Caroline
- Arts on Parade - Fine Arts displayed in the City Pier.
- The Giving Place - local non-profits outreach to the community- between Lancaster and Aliceanna on Broadway
- Antiques Market – between Aliceanna and Fleet on Broadway
Parking at the Fells Point Fun Festival
- ||More on Fells Point||
- Photo Tour
- Hotels
- Bars
- Parking
- Water Taxi
- Privateer Day (spring)
