The heart of Little Italy will be bustling with community, delicious food, drinks, fundraising, and live entertainment fit for all ages during the inaugural “Light Up Little Italy” on Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The event will be hosted by nonprofits Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation (OACF), the Group for Individuals with Learning Differences (GILD) and the Mo Gaba Foundation (MGF).
Attendees will be able to enjoy live music from several local bands, including Jon & the Legends, The Katie Bowers Band, and It’s All Good.
For alcohol access, people will need to present IDs for verification.
There will be a kids’ area offering facepainting, crazy hair, glitter tattoos, and sandy candy. A silent auction and a prize will add to the fun. There will also be an art show by Made by Itineris featuring art created by people with disabilities.
While the event is free for all to attend, visitors can make donations at the entrances to help support the three charitable organizations hosting the day. Donations may also be made directly by clicking this link.
Street closures will be in effect for Fawn and Albemarle Streets. Parking will be available in public lots around Little Italy, as well as valet service and limited on-street parking.
The Orioles Advocates fund the Challenger Baseball Program, the Cardboard to Leather Program, and multiple scholarships and programs at schools around the area to benefit the greater Baltimore Community and critical needs. GILD supports adults with cognitive challenges such as autism, Down syndrome, and learning disabilities, giving them opportunities through skills classes, social activities, and more.
The Mo Gaba Foundation provides funds for cancer research and is named after Baltimore Orioles and Ravens superfan, Mossila (Mo) Gaba. Gaba passed away at the age of 14, having fought cancer from the time he was nine months old. In 2019, he became the first person to announce an NFL draft pick written in Braille and he was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame in July 2020, just hours before his passing.
