May 18,2024 – The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. Our mission is to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation. Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events, attracting hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters from across the country to its beautiful park setting.
The Gaithersburg Parks, Arts & Recreation Corporation (G-PARC) Arts & Culture Alliance, in conjunction with the City’s Stormwater Management Program & Cultural Events & Services Division, are pleased to announce the 2023 Storm Drain Art Contest, designed to bring attention to the importance of protecting our Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Artists of all ages are invited to submit designs either online or through the mail. Details & specifications for this year’s contest, as well as the online submission form can be found in the Documents section of this page.
All artwork must be submitted electronically or postmarked by March 22, 2023 (World Water Day). Members from the local artistic community will review the submissions & choose the designs to be painted on the storm drain covers at selected locations within City limits. The selected designs may also be used in banners, posters, coloring books, other educational materials, and social media. Selections will be announced on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 2023.
Volunteers are needed to help on the day of the paint-out. Volunteers will be asked to greet & check in artists, talk about the program to passerbys, photograph, videograph, bring paint to artists & clean up. It is a fun way for students to earn SSL hours while promoting the environment. Painting is tentatively planned for June.
For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at 301-258-6350 or via email at GPARC@gaithersburgmd.gov.
As we enter our fifth year of performances, we remain committed to the same values that guided the establishment of our program.
The 5k Race and Fun Run is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event, is the largest 5k in Montgomery County and draws more than 1300 participants and 4000 attendees to the area. The run is combined with a Merchant Expo, family activities, music, and other festivities. In keeping with our philanthropic mission, a significant portion of the proceeds raised is donated to worthwhile programs within Montgomery County including the Delores C. Swoyer Scholarship Fund which provides sponsorship for low-income families’ children to attend the city led summer camp, The Dwelling Place which combats homelessness in our area, Mercy Health Clinic which provides medical care to the uninsured and the underinsured, and Maryland Senior Olympics. Sponsorships are available at various levels.