Blog: Get Jazzed for the Westminster Flower & Jazz Festival this Saturday

In case you need a reminder, this Sunday is Mother’s Day.  And back in 1991, the Westminster Recreation Department didn’t think one day was enough to honor moms – and created the Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival.

This day-long street fest will be held on Saturday, May 12 from 10am to 4pm on Main Street in Westminster.  Main Street comes alive with music, people and flowers, and is closed to car traffic from Longwell Avenue to John Street. The event has hosted up to 8,000 visitors in past years to enjoy a day of celebration and fun.

Beautiful flowers abound at the festival. A number of nurseries will showcase their
annuals, perennials, plants and other wares, including Carroll County Master Gardeners, Friends of Troop 2007, White House Nursery, Wakefield Valley Nursery and Tomatoes Etc. Produce Farm. The result is a visual bounty of color and texture blooming throughout the festival. 

The “Jazz” portion of the festival is fulfilled on two stages downtown.  The Booth Memorial Stage in Mary Lou Dewey Park at the Library will host the Herb
Sell Ensemble at 10am, followed by the Eric Byrd Trio at noon and the Dan
Vogel Trio at 2pm. On the other side of Route 27 at the American Auction and Appraisal Stage, Never Too Late Big Band will perform at 10am, followed by the Folly Quarter Middle School Gold Jazz Band at 11am, the Mt. Airy Middle School Jazz Band at noon, the Westminster High School Jazz Band at 1pm, the Manchester Valley High School Jazz Band at 2pm, and the Dan Andrews Group at 3pm.

Art also abounds at the festival. Handcrafted works are available throughout the many booths, and the has also organized a series of Plein Air artists who will be painting on the street all day. “Plein Air” is a French phrase for painting outside in nature, receiving inspiration directly from the landscape itself. Look for these artists, who artists will be painting in various areas on Main Street, from the “fork” at Pennsylvania Avenue through Longwell Avenue.

Festival attendees seeking that last minute gift for mom will not be disappointed by the wide array of mom-focused items offered by the festival’s 120 vendors. Select from vendors offering jewelry, handbags, artwork, homemade candy and cake, herbs and more.  And there’s no need to eat before (or after!) you come – the food vendors are ready to tempt your taste buds with the traditional festival food like crab cakes and funnel cakes, and the downtown restaurants will be open to entice your appetite.

Of course, this festival is not just for the grown ups.  There will be many booths featuring crafts and activities throughout the festival. Kids can paint pots in front of the Pottery Loft, the Library will be offering children’s crafts, and the Department of Recreation will have children’s activities in its booth. In addition, the Carroll County Health Department will again sponsor its Safe Kids Day in the
Gehr Lot.

The event is offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation and is sponsored by and .

Looking for a healthy and energizing event even before the Flower & Jazz Festival?
At 9am, join the fun at the 12th Annual Fun Run.  Participants can run, walk or stroll on the Wakefield Valley Trail, just off Route 31 by Avondale Run Road. The event will include a 200-yard dash for children under 6 begins at 9am (free), followed by a 9:15 start for the one-mile walk or run for ages 7 and older (free).  The 5K run/walk begins at 9:30 and is for all ages. The cost for the 5K is $20 per person, or $35 per couple. The proceeds from the run will benefit Carroll County Youth Services Bureau and The Friends of Westminster City Recreation and Parks. To register, visit www.westminstermd.gov. You can also register onsite the day of the event.

So, don’t forget mom and come downtown for a great day of fun!  See you around downtown!

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