The 23rd annual Imagination Bethesda street festival celebrating children and the arts will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3.
Musical performances and other entertainment will be indoors at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., while art and craft activities, including face painting, balloonists, a stilt-walker and free giveaways will line the streets along Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda.
All activities are free.
On stage performances begin at 10 a.m. with Mr. Knick Knack followed by Rainbow Rock Band at 11:15 a.m., Rockin’ Railroad at 12:30 p.m., Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance at 1:15 p.m. and Rocknocerous at 2 p.m.
Organized by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the festival will host 25 local businesses and arts organizations that will provide a variety of activities to entertain the 12-and-under crowd.
Event participants hosting hands-on activities include:
Adventure Theatre MTC – Create your own Junie B. Jones paper bag backpacks
Be with Me Playseum – Hand painting on ceramic tiles and bubble bucket
Bethesda Conservatory of Dance – freeze dance activity with props and sticker game
Bethesda Magazine – Summer fun photos and coloring activity
City Dance – Dance demo and graffiti coloring activity
Creative Youth – Fashion illustration project and hand sewing activity
Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture – Make-your-own carousel activity
Huntington Learning Center – Create your own blow paint monster
Imagination Stage – Make your own mini pocket watch
Iran Cultural and Educational Center – Arts and crafts from Iran, face painting and book mark making
KID Museum – Interactive engineering activity with structures and balls
Kidville – Decorate door knockers, glitter tattoos
Language Stars – Games and activities from a variety of world cultures
Mathnasium – Make and explore shapes with a variety of fun materials
Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Initiative – Pedestrian safety craft activity and pledge
Montgomery Parks – Tin-smith activity and clay marble making
Naval Support Activity Bethesda – Visit with McGruff and McGruff coloring books
Plaza Artist Materials – Learn to draw cartoon characters
Round House Theatre – Create your own map to a special destination
Strathmore – Guided colored pencil technique activity
The Washington Conservatory of Music – Musical instrument craft and hands-on demonstrations
Washington Episcopal School – Cookie decorating stations
Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day – Create masks with paper plates
YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase – Design and assemble paper fans
Imagination Bethesda is sponsored by Bethesda Magazine, MIX 107.3 FM, Washington Episcopal School and Washington Parent. The following restaurants will be participating: Gusto Farm to Street, Häagen-Dazs, Mamma Lucia, Mussel Bar, Silver and Smoothie King.
For more information call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.