CA: Pools, Parks, Pathways and PARTY

“Pools, parks, pathways.” It’s a sort of colloquial shorthand for the what Columbia Association does. If you live here long enough you begin to realize that’s far too simple a definition.

We’re entering a season where CA shines as a facilitator of all things Lakefront. Today they’ll be hosting Juneteenth festivities beginning at 2 pm.

Music by DJ G-Money
Line dancing with April "Dancing Diva" Williams
Performances by B. Funk Dance Company
Black-owned food trucks
Kids activities
Vendor village
Special appearance by Kyaira

I don’t know if it has been like this in years past, but Lakefest comes twenty four hours later - - probably less, if you count clean up for one event and set up for the other. Wowza. That’s a whole lot of logistics.

Lakefest used to be wholly a production of the Columbia Festival of the Arts. It now appears to be a cooperative venture between several groups, CA being a part of the mix. If you haven’t ever been, I’d recommend giving it a try. It feels good to experience Columbia as a “happening”, in full-on party mode.

Lakefest is a three-day celebration and there’s honestly so much happening that you should go to the dedicated website to get a sense of what’s on offer.

Columbia Festival of the Arts Lakefest

When attending events at the Lakefront, I always find myself weighing two things. Will it be too hot to leave the house? Will it be chucking down rain? So here’s your weather report for the next few days.

One more variable you’ll need to sort out: parking.

Directions & Parking: Free parking (including Accessible Parking) available nearby at the Wincopin Circle parking garages. Visitors can also park at the Sterrett Place surface lot located at 5575 Sterrett Place, Columbia, Maryland 21044. PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET.

Or, if you like maps:

If you look carefully at the central area, it seems to me that the fountain is magically sprinkling the people on the grassy hill and - - possibly - - spinning like a carousel. I think that would be fabulous. I always did have an overactive imagination.

There are plenty of other things going on HoCoLocally this weekend, including another Juneteenth celebration on Saturday at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. You’ll definitely have plenty of choices.

Here it is Thursday morning and I’m already kicking off the weekend. It must be summer.

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