Kensington to celebrate first Fall Fest this weekend

The Town of Kensington is poised to host its inaugural Fall Festival on Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with high hopes of making it an annual event.

“With the Fall Fest, I hope that Kensington becomes known as a neighborhood for handmade and fine art while also retaining its identity as an antiquing destination,” said Linda Blackbourn, co-owner of Gala Artisans and creator of the Fall Fest. “Kensington is a small town and has that community feeling, but is so close to D.C. – I want people to discover it and think of it as a place to visit and spend the day.”

Howard Avenue between Armory Avenue and Kensington Parkway will transform into an al fresco market where local and out-of-town vendors will sell their handmade goods. Visitors can browse through jewelry, accessories, art glass, pottery, children’s clothes, toys, furniture and much more while taking in the sites and sounds of Old Town Kensington. The antique stores that give Kensington’s “Antique Row” its name will be set up on Howard Avenue, selling their products as well.

Food trucks will be on hand for lunch and local restaurants, including Baklava Couture, will be selling their treats. Musical entertainment will come from Sisters Uke and Friends, The Tipperary Titans and Super Lucky Elephant throughout the day.

Families who attend can get to know Chevy Chase children’s book author and illustrator Susan Stockdale who will be at the festival to read and sign her award-winning picture books. Children and parents can watch how she takes her books, which celebrate the animal kingdom and its diversity, from conception to completion while she reads along.

Kensington’s Fall Festival is presented in part by the Kensington Business District Association and the Old Town Kensington Merchants Association.