By Ericka Buck Alston
Special to the AFRO
Charm City celebrated its biggest and best Baltimore Birthday Bash yet on July 26, as Live Baltimore took over the heart of the city to ring in Baltimore’s 295th birthday.
The Light Street Pavilion at Harborplace, bathed in vibrant yellow balloons and decor, set the stage for an unforgettable night of fun, music, and community spirit.
(Photos by Ericka Alston Buck)
“We’re really excited to bring a lot of surprises and fun to the Inner Harbor at Harborplace this year,” said Annie Milli, executive director of Live Baltimore.
As the crowd gathered, the excitement was palpable, with attendees eagerly anticipating an evening of celebration and camaraderie.
The event began at 6:30 p.m. with an exclusive Sponsor Reception, giving early access before the general event kicked off at 7:30 p.m. By the time the clock struck 8, more than 1,000 people had converged on the Inner Harbor, eager to partake in the festivities. This marked a significant growth from the humble beginnings of the first Birthday Bash in 2014, which had only 243 guests.
“This year’s celebration takes on a special significance as we gather at Harborplace, the heart of Baltimore and a natural gateway to our great city,” said Mayor Brandon Scott. “Our city, just like this location, is undergoing a significant moment of change with a bright and exciting future ahead of us.”
(Photos by Ericka Alston Buck)
Baltimore’s iconic but largely vacant festival market, Harborplace, is set to be transformed by a $500 million development plan unveiled by MCB Real Estate. The redevelopment will include two residential towers, offices, shops, restaurants, and expanded public space. This ambitious project aims to reimagine and revitalize the 3.2-acre city-owned parcel, originally opened by visionary developer James Rouse in 1980.
As partygoers lined up and entered Harborplace, there was a sense of nostalgia and renewal. The venue, once bustling with people eager to see the best Baltimore had to offer, was alive with energy and excitement. Inside, the celebration was in full swing. Guests were treated to a large selection of local IPAs, hors d’oeuvres, and food and dessert stations that catered to every palate.
Baltimore staples were on deck, including the iconic Baltimore lemon stick, a refreshing summer treat made by putting a peppermint candy stick into a lemon.
Local vendors added a sweet touch to the evening, with 14 bakers and dessert-makers whipping up treats for a “sweetest treat” competition, judged by the attendees. Notable vendors included, And 4 Dessert, Baltimore in a Box Ice Cream, Cajou Creamery, Codetta Bake Shop, Crust By Mack, Deddle’s Donuts, Good Food, Hiatus Cheesecake, Matriarch Coffee, MFG Toffee Bark Co., Our Time Kitchen, Sistahs’ Sweets, Soul Cuisine, and Sweet Smith’s Bakery.
As the evening progressed, the event transformed into a full-out dance party under the direction of local favorite DJ Tanz.
“The Baltimore Birthday Bash is THE party of the year!” DJ Tanz exclaimed. “I’m so honored to be the DJ for such an incredible event! Every year it gets bigger and better, thanks to the hard work put in by the folks at Live Baltimore. We love our city!”
Kim Wiggins, a local influencer who promotes places to eat and enjoy in Baltimore City, added, “Live Baltimore always throws the best event to celebrate the city’s birthday, and this year was no different. My favorite part was seeing it activated at Inner Harbor’s Harborplace. It was truly a glimpse into the future.”
The inclusive and affordable nature of the event ensured that as many Baltimoreans as possible could join in the fun.
“We keep our ticket prices low; we have sponsors who support free tickets for community leaders all over the city,” said Annie Milli. The event even offered a “Good Neighbor” ticket, allowing community members to attend for free.
People could also win a raffle to unwrap a birthday gift from one of 100 local companies, further adding to the excitement. The theme this year was black, yellow, and red, celebrating the “We heart city life” brand, with Baltimore City’s flag colors prominently displayed throughout the event.
Notable attendees included Mayor Brandon Scott, Downtown Partnership President Shelonda Stokes, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, former WBAL investigative reporter Jayne Miller, State Comptroller Brooke Leirman, Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry, and representatives from nearly all of Baltimore’s 279 unique neighborhoods.
The 10th Annual Baltimore Birthday Bash was more than just a party; it was a celebration of Baltimore’s rich history, vibrant present, and promising future. As the night came to a close, it was clear that this year’s event had set a new standard for community celebrations in Charm City.
Here’s to many more years of celebrating Baltimore’s birthday in style!
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