Over the past decade, College Park Day has grown to become one of the best annual events on the Route 1 corridor for families. Now it’s gearing up for its 10th annual celebration on Saturday, October 5, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Organized by the city and held on the grounds of the College Park Aviation Museum, the free, six-hour festival includes activities for kids of all ages.

For the younger kids, there will be multiple bouncy castles and inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, face painting, ice cream and performances from Mandy the Clown, Bubble Magic and hula hooping with Joe’s Movement Emporium.

Kids who love trucks will be able to check out a city garbage truck, a front end loader and a Kubota sidewalk snow plow; fire trucks, ambulances and police cars; plus rescue and military helicopters that will fly in for the day.

Older kids can check out performances by R&B singer Funsho, a local musician best known as a contestant on “The Voice,” Baltimore cover band Fantasm and the Crush Funk Brass, among other bands; watch aerobatics from Gymkana; try out a climbing wall or get food from local vendors.

And adults will be able to grab a drink at a beer and mead garden from Denizens Brewery and Maryland Meadworks. 

College Park Day got its start in 2009 when a resident complained in a blog post that the city didn’t have any events to showcase residents. Two City Council members agreed, and a few hundred people attended the first College Park Day the next year.

This year’s festival is expected to draw at least 8,000 people, including some from as far away as Silver Spring, Laurel and Bethesda. Entrance to the College Park Aviation Museum, voted “the best place to take kids” in the Hyattsville Wire reader poll, will be free during College Park Day.

Free parking will be available at the College Park Metro station garage, the Wells Ice Rink and near the event site. Look for University of Maryland police to direct you towards the best parking when you arrive.

Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and bottled water.

This post is sponsored content.