Good news for residents of Baltimore City’s 4th District: the Heart of the 4th Music & Arts Festival is back on, but in a different location than originally planned.
Hosted by the Office of Councilman Mark Conway (4th District), the free, family-friendly festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at Dewees Park, transforming the grassy open space into a hub of music, art, food, and community pride. The new location will allow for a larger festival than originally planned as well.
Attendees can expect two stages with live performances, more than 100 local vendors, interactive art, youth and family activities, and community resources available to residents and visitors alike. The Heart of the 4th aims to spotlight the creativity, resilience, and unity of North Baltimore’s 4th District.
“The Heart of the 4th is about resilience and community,” Conway said. “When the festival was canceled, our neighbors made it clear—this celebration matters. Relocating to Dewees Park gives us a chance to showcase one of the jewels of our district, and this time, we’re coming back stronger and more energized than ever.”
Originally, the festival was to take place on July 19 along a half-mile stretch of York Road, transforming the street into a pedestrian corridor with vendors, performers, food trucks, and more. It was called off after a clash between Conway and Mayor Brandon Scott’s office over traffic and safety concerns raised by the mayor’s office. Conway believed political retaliation was behind the concerns, but the mayor’s office disputed that claim.
At the time, organizers of the festival still held out hope it would be rescheduled, and it has.
The Heart of the 4th Festival will feature local bands, DJs, and cultural showcases on its two live stages. In addition to the interactive art installations, there will be a community mural project. The Youth and Family Zones will have games, performances, and workshops. Community Resource Row will connect residents to services and nonprofits geared towards helping them flourish.
Dewees Park is located at 5501 Ivanhoe Ave., Baltimore, Maryland.
