On Sunday August 6th, West Street A.K.A. Annapolis Arts District is the perfect place to spend a summer day. The morning starts at 9am with the first annual Annapolis Color Run starting in front of the Loews Annapolis Hotel. This fun run / walk will raise money for several Annapolis non-profits including the Annapolis Arts District and the Boys and Girls Club. This 5k event tours communities along West Street and ends at Whitmore Park on Calvert Street.
The First Sunday Arts festival kicks off at 11am on West Street and Calvert Streets and don’t be surprised to still see runners from the color run event loaded in a rainbow of color walking and shopping at the festival. This festival gives you the opportunity to shop and buy American made from local and regional artisans, listen to great local band and eat at the food trucks and cafes along West and Calvert Streets.
The popular First Sunday Arts festival will not disappoint with 130 artisans providing shopping opportunities to delight everyone. You will find artisans selling handcrafted jewelry, pottery, glass, clothing, handbags, wood-turnings, furniture, sculpture, photography, paintings, garden art, and more. This is the easiest and largest place to shop in the area for items hand made and made in the USA. There is also 2 new fashion boutiques along West Street for you to check out while you are at the festival. The new fashion boutiques are Cindy Loo Hoo’s Boutique located across from the Loews Hotel and Royalty 0.1.9 boutique located just past Nancy Hammond Editions and FinArt Gallery.
Performers throughout the festival will be showcasing live music at four free summer performance stages including, Weisman Park near the Visitors Center which is a good spot to relax in the shade, the main stage next to Stan and Joe’s Saloon, City Gate Park on the second block of West Street, and on Calvert Street in Whitmore Park near the food trucks. The bands for August 6th include;
Weisman Park Stage
The Johnny Monet Band featuring John Ebersberger
Doc Pine & The Respect He Deserves
Stan and Joe’s Saloon Stage
The High and Wides
Spice Jazz and R&B
Whitmore Park Stage
Priddy Music Academy Bands
City Gate Park Stage
Gingerwolf
Also another new activity this month is the sinking submarine room at Mission Escape Rooms. This is their second new room added this year. Reserve time at Mission Escape and bring in a group of friends and family and see if you can escape this nautical challenge.
The First Sunday Arts festivals are conveniently located in downtown Annapolis on West Street and Calvert Streets where parking is a breeze. There are several parking garages next to the festival and events including Whitmore Parking Garage and Gott’s Court Parking Garage both located along Calvert Street, and the Loews Hotel Parking Garage and Knighton Parking Garage located on West Street The Calvert Street Parking Garage located at 19 St Johns Street has free parking all weekend and is located within a two block stroll from the First Sunday Arts Festival. You can also take the new free Circulator Bus from downtown or Park Place to the First Sunday Arts Festival
Admission to the First Sunday Arts festivals is free, so bring your friends and family to spend a day out on the town. First Sunday Arts festivals for the 2017 season are on Sunday , August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5 and a special bonus festival on Sunday December 3rd called the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival.
The First Sunday Arts festivals are sponsored by the Inner West Street Association and managed by Evans Management LLC.
Get more information on the festival at www.firstsundayarts.com and on facebook.
