Call for entries - Hampdenfest

Show: September 14, 2013
(Saturday, 11am-7pm)
Application due: July 30 (by mail)
Recommended to apply early to reserve space.
     Application fee: none
     Booth fee: $150 for 10'x10' space, exhibitor must provide their own tent

If you didn't apply in time to get into HonFest, never fear, there is another festival in Hampden and this one has a reputation as being more successful for craft vendors.


Hampdenfest is a neighborhood arts festival that features 4 stages of music and art performances, an activity area for kids, an emerging artists exhibit and a film festival, as well as four blocks of arts and crafts vendors and other wares from a wide range of merchants and artists. Hampden itself has hundreds of local businesses which are consistently listed in Baltimore Magazine and the City Paper's Best of Baltimore.

For seekers of great food and an engaging atmosphere, HampdenFest offers an abundance of Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay and local Hampden cuisine, including pit beef, crab cakes, and locally brewed beer from The Brewer's Art. A mix of national and local independent rock, folk, punk, acoustic bands and DJs will perform throughout the day, live, at any of the festival's four stages.

And...a race of toilets! Of course.

Click here for more information and here for the application.

Posted by Susan Brandt.

First Friday at Indie-pendent Plus Size Shop: K Staton Boutique

I love First Friday on The Avenue in Hampden here in Baltimore. All of the indie shops get together, throw little parties and have some big ole sales. K Staton Boutique will be having a major Customer Appreciation Sale. The whole store will be up to 50% off!
What? You don't know K Staton yet?! It's a new independent womens clothing shop dedicated to plus sizes. It's a great spot for ladies sized 12-30 to find lots of brands you can usually only find online or in stores far, far from Charm City. I've shopped here several times already and adore this place. They have great selection of jeans, dresses, tops, skirts and accessories.

The big sale at K Staton is Friday, February 5th from 6-8pm at 817 West 36th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211. I will see you all there for sure!

Written by Kathy of The Garbologist's Wife

Tomorrow is First Friday in Hampden!

Can't afford to complete your holiday shopping AND maintain your social life? Would you like to do all this and still get to bed at a decent hour? Well, then meet your friends at First Fridays on the Avenue in Hampden and kill two birds with one free cocktail (or seven).


My boyfriend, Karl, and I attended last month's event. We started our night at Shine, where we received complimentary wine and browsed as we caught up with friends. I drooled over (thankfully, not literally) the gorgeous clothes and some freaking awesome place mats with random cartoon-y illustrations of various animals, dinosaurs, bugs, and even dump trucks. Then, we headed over to Red Tree, where we were met by beautiful holiday displays, more cocktails and a tasty buffet supplied by the tastiest local Hampden restaurants. Things get a little foggy after that, though I do remember hoarding gobs and gobs of some decadently delicious, greasy cheese and onion dip and laughing at a book that Karl found before we staggered over to Rocket to Venus for one last drink. We chatted some more, and by 10:30, we were sufficiently satisfied with our evening and I had plenty of holiday gift ideas. Luckily for Hampden-ites, it's a short walk home so you don't even have to worry about driving.



First Fridays happen on (go figure) the First Friday of every month from 6-9pm on 36th Street in Hampden, on the Avenue. Did I mention it's FREE?

Photos were taken by Drury Bynum in Shine Collective.
Post written by NicoletteLeFaye

Shop Local for Black Friday

Beat the insanity of the mall and still get your shopping done! Stop by Hampden tomorrow morning!