The annual Baltimore County African-American Cultural Festival is a vibrant and long-standing community celebration, honoring African American culture, history, and achievements. This celebration is attended by thousands every year.
The Baltimore County African-American Culture Festival (BCAACF) is a family-friendly event that chronicles the traditions and customs of the Baltimore County African-American community.
The Festival's Origins and Growth
The festival was founded in 1996 by Adrienne Jones, a Maryland state delegate, and the speaker pro-tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, currently Speaker of the House of Delegates. She envisioned an arts and culture festival celebrating the traditions of the African American community.
Established in 1996, the Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, Inc (BCAACF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that continues in its primary mission of raising funds to support charitable programs charged to the BCAACF Board of Directors such as scholarships, summer camps, and historical preservation projects.
Since its inception, the festival has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to Baltimore County students pursuing careers in business, science, technology, and the arts.
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The festival has grown into one of the largest and most anticipated cultural events in the Baltimore-Washington region.
A Day of Celebration and Empowerment
The Festival is free and takes place on Sept. 17 in Towson, Md. at Towson Patriot Plaza, 401 Bosley Ave. The event will return Sept. 20 to Patriot Plaza in Towson.
The annual Baltimore County African-American Cultural Festival will be held in and around the Towson Courts Plaza in September of every year.
Admission to the festival is free, and there is free parking available. Patriot Plaza is located at 401 Bosley Ave.
The festival takes place on the third Saturday of every September.
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The event is open people of all ages, with 10 family-friendly zones, a Health and Wellness Pavilion, a Children’s Champion Zone, and a Youth Entrepreneurship Zone.
In addition to the more than 100 craft and food vendors, attendees can visit educational, historical, gospel, and youth villages.
There are about 40 historical exhibitions in Baltimore County that include hundreds of old photos and memorabilia as well as oral presentations by elders of the community.
Another element of the festival is the Hero/Shero contest. Now in its third year, the contest involves people writing tributes of 100 words or less about an active duty service member, a reservist, a National Guard member or a veteran who is the hero or “she-ro” in their life.
The festival will honor and celebrate several groups, including the 2025 scholarship recipients, military heroes and “she-roes” (women heroes).
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The Festival's Impact
In addition to showcasing Baltimore County’s history and communities, the festival also raises funds to support charitable programs and scholarships for the African-American community.
Each year the Festival awards scholarships to Baltimore County students pursuing careers in Business, Science, Technology, and the Arts.
It supports charitable programs, scholarships, and historical preservation projects.
