Two-day festival includes music, art, food, and special performances
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The 50th Anniversary of the Long Reach Village Center will be celebrated on Friday, October 15 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 16 from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The weekend celebration will take place at the Long Reach Village Center at 8775 Cloudleap Ct, Columbia, MD. The festival will feature music and performing arts entertainment, arts and craft show and sale, food trucks, family-friendly programming, and more.
The Long Reach 50th Anniversary Celebration is presented by the Office of the County Executive in partnership with the Columbia Festival of the Arts and the Columbia Association. This event will follow all federal, state, and County guidelines for COVID safety and social distancing. For more details on the activities that will be part of the two-day festival, please visit https://longreach50.com.
"Long Reach Village has always been a gathering place for our neighborhood, and we're especially pleased to see the progress made over the past few years to bring new life, thriving businesses, and important services to our community," said Councilman Opel Jones. "Now a destination for arts, culture, and entrepreneurs, I'm thrilled to help Long Reach Village celebrate 50 years of bringing family, friends, and neighbors together."
"What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Long Reach Village than to bring our community together to enjoy great music and art, taste great food by local vendors, plus activities for the entire family," said Robert Neal Marshall, Executive Director, Columbia Festival of the Arts. "Doodle Hatch is so unique – unleashed imagination and Squonk Opera is a huge spectacle act not to be missed. On the Long Reach stage, we have a fantastic lineup of international and local music performances. You can literally take a walk-through history, enjoy hands-on activities in the family area, and much more. Folks are looking for ways to come together after so many months, and we are excited to collaborate with the Howard County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, to do so in a safe and careful way, celebrating the culture, diversity, and beauty of Long Reach Village."
Developed in the '70s, the Long Reach Village Center (LRVC) has been a hub for residents serving various neighborhood needs. Various civic spaces were developed to support commercial uses and provide focal points for social interaction. With the growth of newer commercial centers nearby, and changing market conditions, most LRVC experienced disinvestment and high vacancy rates. After years of challenges, County Executive Ball announced a swift short-term renovation and long-term renewal for Long Reach Village. The goal of creating "A Vibrant Village Center For Today" will be met through a stabilization plan of maintenance, repair, beautification, and placemaking.
"For the last 50 years, Long Reach has been a cornerstone of arts and expression in our community. CA is proud of spaces like Columbia Art Center and Stonehouse where people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities are encouraged to come together and create," said Columbia Association President/CEO Lakey Boyd. "We celebrate this incredible milestone and look forward to many more years of growth as we find new ways to best serve everyone in the Village of Long Reach and beyond."
The work is already underway to generate renewed interest and excitement in the hub of Long Reach. The County has leased or is in the process of leasing space in Long Reach to arts and culture and education organizations that can give back to the community. In 2018, retail space at Long Reach Village Center was only 23% occupied, and today retail occupancy is at 95%. Learn more about Long Reach Rising and the progress made here.
About Long Reach Village
Developed in the '70s, Long Reach Village Center (LRVC) is the largest and one of the oldest villages that make up Columbia, Maryland. The Village includes four neighborhoods: Jeffers Hill, Kendall Ridge, Locust Park, and Phelps Luck. The Village has evolved over the last fifty years but remains home to more than 15 thousand residents in Howard County. The Village is home to a mix of community and arts organizations, merchants, and open space for community recreation, neighborhood gathering spaces, senior resources, and more. The Howard County Government recently committed to the future of Long Reach with a sizeable redevelopment plan to ensure the longevity of the Village continues https://longreach.org