**PRESS RELEASE**
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2023
Community Invited To The Placemaking Downtown Largo Festival
#LoveMyLargo
LARGO, MD – In collaboration, the Prince George’s County Planning Department and Department of Parks and Recreation of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Office of the County Executive for Prince George’s County, Largo Town Center Association (LTCA), the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, and the Better Block Foundation will host Placemaking Downtown Largo Festival – a unique experience that cultivates partnerships, supports local business growth, spotlights local artists, and unifies the community. Scheduled for Saturday, August 12, 2023, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 1301 McCormick Drive in Largo, MD, the pop-up event will transform a parking area into a vibrant outdoor community space and feature arts, food trucks, music, performances, local vendors, community workshops, and more.
“We are so excited to host this wonderful activation in front of the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “It will provide a wonderful preview of the types of recurring programming we envision for our new civic plaza on this site, one of the first signature projects from our Blue Line Corridor plan that will build more walkable, bikeable, amenity-rich destinations in Downtown Largo and beyond.”
“Guided by Prince George’s Plan 2035, the approved general plan for the County, M-NCPPC is thrilled to lead this placemaking activation and to create vibrant spaces through community involvement,” said Peter A. Shapiro, Chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. “Our agency embraces the partnerships with local organizations and government agencies to provide hands-on placemaking demonstrations to activate the County’s vision for Downtown Largo and reimagine public spaces in Prince George’s County.”
“This family-friendly festival is a combination of LTCA’s effort to build community pride and showcase quality local and black businesses during National Black Business Month,” said Ayana Crawford, Board President of the Largo Town Center Association. “We are embarking upon a festival that we hope will be the catalyst for smart economic development that includes our local businesses, farmers, artists, and artisans. This family-friendly festival is designed for all generations.”
"We are thrilled to witness the transformative power of creative placemaking in action. This event brings together artists, community members, and county stakeholders to breathe life into our public spaces. Through art, culture, and collaboration, we can foster a stronger sense of identity, belonging, and vitality in our beloved Prince George’s County community. Creative placemaking is more than just an event; it's a powerful catalyst that brings people together, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary reflections of our shared values and spirit as a community,” said Rhonda Dallas, CEO and Chief Curator, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council.
To learn more about the festival, visit www.largotowncenter.org. For more information about the Placemaking Pilot Series and to sign up for volunteer workshops involving, painting, building, unboxing, and setup the week of the event, visit pgplan.org/placemaking.
Assistance
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. Register in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. Call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-3038, email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org, or complete the online form.
Contact:
Calista Black
Public Affairs and Marketing Officer, M-NCPPC
calista.black@mncppc.org | 301-952-3038
Ayana Crawford
Board President, Largo Town Center Association
largotowncenterassociation@gmail.com | 301-494-1762
Anthony M. McAuliffe
Deputy Director of Communications, Office of the Prince George’s County Executive
ammcauliffe@co.pg.md.us | 301-952-3755
Rhonda Dallas
CEO & Chief Curator, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council
rdallas@pgahc.org | 301-772-8943
###