SILVER SPRING, MD—Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has made a difficult decision to cancel this year’s Harvest Festival after recognizing that the annual festival was inadvertently scheduled on the same day as Yom Kippur, a Jewish holy day. Unfortunately, the Department is not able to reschedule the event due to a variety of conflicts with participants including vendors and the many volunteers who make the festival possible.
“We regret any inconvenience and disappointment in cancelling this festival, however we have made a final decision to do so out of respect for the Jewish members of the community and because it would preclude participation by so many of our county residents who observe Yom Kippur,” said Michael Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks.
The Harvest Festival, traditionally held on the first Saturday in October will be held next year on October 3 at the Agricultural History Farm Park. A variety of other festivals are held at this park throughout the year, organized by the Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park, including:
- Blue Grass on the Farm, September 13, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Blacksmiths & Traditional Arts Show, November 1, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Christmas on the Farm, December 13 and 14, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
There are also many upcoming fall festivals scheduled at Montgomery Parks’ Nature Centers including:
- The Pawpaw Festival, September 7, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Meadowside Nature Center
- Apple Festival & Campfire, September 19, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Meadowside Nature Center
- Monarch Fiesta Day, September 20, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Black Hill Nature Center
- Nocturnal Neighbors Festival, October 14, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Locust Grove Nature Center
- Owl-O-Ween Campfire Halloween, Friday, October 24, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
For additional information about these festivals and other programs and special events in Montgomery Parks, please visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
# # #
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 36,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 421 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.montgomeryparks.org