The first Saturday in August will mark a special milestone in Reservoir Hill: the 20th Annual Reservoir Hill Resource Fair and Music Festival, otherwise known as ResFest.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in German Park, St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC) will welcome the public to the neighborhood’s largest yearly celebration.
Held rain or shine, ResFest draws hundreds of residents, families, and local leaders for a day filled with live music, local resources, food, and family-friendly fun. Resources abound, connecting people to services like healthcare, education, employment, and housing. Artistry and talent are everywhere, showcasing the vibrant creative scene for which Baltimore is known.
The musical lineup includes the Love Groove Band, local blues guitarist Quinton Randall, the Baltimore Twilighters marching band, DJ TNT, and more. The fair will feature more than 50 resource and community vendors, and offer free items like school supplies, backpacks, and groceries. Local food trucks Soul Smoked BBQ, Bird Box Express, and Keyvin’s Kitchen will be there, too.
A long-standing SFNC tradition and cornerstone of ResFest is the annual Backpack and School Supply Giveaway. Last year, the Center gave away 130 stocked backpacks to West Baltimore families to ease the burden of back-to-school costs and help Baltimore City students start the school year off feeling seen and supported. This year, the goal is to give away 200 backpacks.
The Reservoir Hill Resource Fair began in 2005 in response to the need for access and equity. Two decades later, it has evolved into ResFest — an event filled with joy, energy, and reflective of the power, pride, and potential of its neighborhoods.
“In uncertain times like these, gathering as neighbors, partners, and friends is more important than ever,” said Angela Miller, Community Engagement Manager at SFNC. “None of this—not ResFest, nor the work we do year-round—is possible without the person-power of our community. That dedication, creativity, and generosity fuel everything we do.”
ResFest is hosted by St. Francis Neighborhood Center in partnership with the Friends of German Park and the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council. For the third year in a row, WYPR/WTMD is a media partner of the festival.
