Heritage Days

Glen Echo Park is pleased to be part of Heritage Montgomery's 25th annual Heritage Days Weekend. 

From 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, June 30, 2024** we invite families to the Park to celebrate the summer of 1960, when brave protestors brought about the end of segregation at the privately-owned Glen Echo Amusement Park.

To honor the 64th anniversary of the "Summer of Protest," the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture presents: clips from the new documentary film “Ain’t No Back to A Merry-Go-Round,” which tells the story of the amusement park protests; arts & crafts projects; musical performances featuring freedom songs by Washington Revels' Heritage Voices and I&I Riddim (Reggae band); a National Park Service ranger-led tour and a civil rights photo exhibit; and free carousel rides.

Schedule & locations – 

12pm – 4pm: FREE Carousel rides | Dentzel Carousel  (Carousel operating hours at 11am-5pm)

1pm: Washington Revels Heritage Voices | Bumper Car Pavilion

1pm – 4pm: Arts & Crafts projects | Cuddle Up Pavilion

1pm – 4pm: View clips/trailer for "Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round" | Arcade Building lobby

1pm – 4pm: Glen Echo Park civil rights story images & exhibits | Spanish Ballroom lobby

2pm: National Park Service Ranger Tour | Meet at NPS mobile visitor center

3pm: I&I Riddim | Bumper Car Pavilion

Families may also enjoy the playground & picnic area, as well as a variety of art galleries throughout the park. FREE parking in our main parking lot at 5801 Oxford Road. Find more information and a link to our Park Map here.

Learn more about Montgomery County Heritage Days >>

** June 30, 1960 is the date that Black student protesters from Howard University rode the carousel at Glen Echo Amusement Park and were arrested.  Learn more about Glen Echo Park's civil rights story here >>

Suggested Donation: $10

Every contribution helps us present free festivals, concerts, preserve and maintain the Park's historic buildings, and more.