Festival Will Bring Music, Magic To Old Bowie This Weekend

BOWIE, MD — A festival will bring food, art and performances to Old Bowie this Saturday. Planners hope the event sparks interest in the historical town.

The gathering, called the Old Bowie Celebrates Festival, will feature everything from a juried art show to craft vendors. Engineer Ernie, a 10-foot-tall man on stilts, will greet attendees. The Senior Center Magicians will dazzle with their magic show. Former Ringling Brothers performer Greg May will also lead his silly "Mayhem Magical Circus."

Marble players from the National Marbles Tournament will host lessons. The Musical Box Society will teach guests how to play retro instruments, and Jeff Krulik will present "Tales of Belair at Old Bowie."

Mati’s Fun Land will have art, crafts, a story nook and book giveaways for children. Singer Jim Hossick will perform a concert for kids, and a train ride along the Heritage Trail will be open to everybody.

The Old Town Bowie Welcome Center and the railroad museum will share the community's history. Children can also climb on an old fire engine at the local station.

These bands will perform:

• Fast Eddie & the Slowpokes
• OutDabox
• Off the Grid

Solo acts include:

• Bag Piper Kevin Watkins
• Guitarist and vocalist Leron Young
• Bowie Police Department Chief John Nesky

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be centered on Lanham Severn Road and Chestnut Avenue. It will stretch from Maple Avenue to 12th Street.

Free parking is available at the MARC train station lot located at 14000 Jericho Park Road. A complimentary shuttle will then transport visitors to the fair.

The event is hosted by the Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Committee. More information is posted at oldbowiecelebrates.us.

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