Heritage Day, Community Picnic Come to Bowie

BOWIE, MD– The celebration of Bowie’s Centennial continues this month with two free special events, Heritage Day and a community picnic and concert on Sunday, May 15, according to a news release.

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Heritage Day is a long-standing Bowie tradition, taking place at the Belair Stable and featuring a chance to explore Bowie’s history, and enjoy musical entertainment and children’s activities.

The second event is new this year and happens after the Heritage Day festivities, on Sunday evening. The community picnic and concert at Allen Pond Park will feature several musical groups from local schools.

At Heritage Day, visitors can explore Bowie’s deep roots in Thoroughbred horse racing at the Belair Stable Museum. There will also be free pony rides and crafts for the kids and a bluegrass band. Horses from the Big Purple Barn, a local educational and outreach organization that cares for horses that have special needs or that have been neglected, will also be on hand.

While most of the Heritage Day activities take place at the Stable, between noon and 4 p.m. visitors are also invited to an open house at the Prince George’s Genealogical Library and to visit the Belair Mansion and to enjoy music by the Prince George’s Philharmonic Quartet beginning at 2 p.m.

At the Bowie Railroad Museum there will be a model train display by the NTrack Modelers.

The Community Picnic and Concert is at Allen Pond Park from 5 to 8 p.m. During that time, musical performances will take place at the Robert V. Setera Amphitheater.

Local residents are invited to bring their picnic meals, lawn chairs or blankets, and enjoy the sounds of the youth of Bowie.

Groups performing include: Holy Trinity Jazz Band, Yorktown Elementary School Choir, St. Pius X Regional School Chorus, Heather Hills Elementary School Chorus, Holy Trinity Day School Chorus, High Bridge Elementary School Chorus, Samuel Ogle Middle School Chorus, and a performance by the Bowie High School Marching Band.

In addition to bringing food into the park, food may also be purchased from a food truck at the park.

Heritage Day hours are noon to 4 p.m. and the community picnic and concert will take place between 5 to 8 p.m. Picnic tables and a limited number of grills will be available throughout the park on a first come, first served basis.