Brookland Park Fest returns to the neighborhood on Nov. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. along Brookland Park Boulevard between Fendall and North avenues. The free festival will showcase local businesses, community organizations and family-friendly activities. 

Visitors can expect music from Mamie Lue, Andrew Ali and the Mainline, and Daniel White Sound, along with a variety of food and beverage vendors, including Nomad’s Deli, Harlym Blue’Z, Ruby Scoop’s, Auntie Ning’s, Fuzzy Cactus, Morty’s, Smoky Mug, Die by Fry/Slay Burger, Shrimp’s, Julio’s, Ninja Kombucha and Manchu. 

Art and culture offerings will feature Alma’s, Unkindness Art, Nevermore Gallery, ILYSM Books, Nostalgia Tattoo, Brookland Park Flowers and Hand Thrown. Other activities include a bounce house, bubble and chalk play areas, a mocktail workshop and interactive painting and a photo booth. 

Several participating businesses will host special events. Nostalgia Tattoo will feature a flash sheet of Brookland Park designs. Alma’s will offer a pay-what-you-can DIY glass ornament activity, baked goods from Slash Bakehouse, and screen printing of the Brookland Park logo on T-shirts and totes. Ninja Kombucha will debut a new infused switchel and celebrate its 10th anniversary with a performance by Holy River from 5 to 7 p.m. Hand Thrown will sell ceramic work and offer a free magnet-making workshop. ILYSM will give away books, and RVA Community Fridges will paint a new fridge. Salt and Acid will lead an all-ages mocktail workshop, with donations benefiting RVA Community Fridges. 

The festival, founded in 2014 by the Brookland Park Business Association, highlights the neighborhood’s business corridor and fosters community engagement. This year’s event features more than a dozen new businesses along the boulevard.