The Youth Resiliency Institute (YRI), in collaboration with Switching Lanes Adult & Youth Institute Inc., Westport Community Economic Development Corp., and the Cherry Hill Family Congress announced today that the highly anticipated 9th Annual Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival will return to Middle Branch Park (3301 Waterview Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230) on July 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Thanks to the generous support of lead sponsor South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, the family-friendly event is free to attend, offering something for everyone, including live music, food trucks, exhibits, vendors, and immersive cultural experiences. Attendees will be dazzled by a custom Fourth of July drone spectacle at 9:30 p.m. Rain or shine, festivalgoers can expect a day filled with unforgettable performances and community engagement.

“This year’s inaugural Independence Day custom drone show at the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival is the outcome of a partnership with the Office of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, whose dedication to arts and culture throughout Baltimore City continues to impact communities in profound ways,” said Navasha Daya, Co-Founder of the Youth Resiliency Institute and Co-Director of the Festival. “We are truly appreciative of his support of the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival over the years.”

A New Fourth of July Tradition: Custom Drone Show

Set against the backdrop of the Patapsco River, this environmentally friendly alternative to fireworks will illuminate the night sky. Developed in collaboration with cultural arts organizers from Cherry Hill and the Youth Resiliency Institute, this innovative display merges technology and art in a breathtaking aerial show.

Honoring History and Legacy

This year’s festival theme, “It’s Still About Freedom,” serves as a powerful tribute to cultural preservation and artistic expression. Since its inception, the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival has championed the preservation of Black history in Cherry Hill and South Baltimore. Continuing its tradition, the festival has partnered with African Ancestry for a special ceremonial ancestry unveiling. This year’s celebration will honor several remarkable individuals, including centenarian Cherry Hill resident Ms. Ernestine Brockington, through the power of DNA and one of the most extensive databases of indigenous African genetic sequences available today.

Additionally, this year’s festival will also include the Youth Resiliency Institute’s newest exhibition, Cherry Hill Charm: Chronicling the Self-Determination and Charm of Cherry Hill’s Pioneer Black Residents Through the Pages of the AFRO-American Newspaper’s Archive.

This compelling exhibit helps to tell the historical story of Cherry Hill’s pioneer Black residents and their fight against segregation and environmental racism.

Entertainment for Everyone

The festival proudly welcomes back several talented artists who first took the stage during the inaugural Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival in 2017. This year’s lineup includes co-headliners Baltimore Club pioneer Mighty Mark & Friends with TT the Artist, and Navasha Daya feat. Nakeeba Amaniye, who will deliver a Roots Reggae Set in celebration of YRI’s 15th anniversary. Other standout performers include Latin sensation Nfuzion Orquesta, Soul Jazz artist Cecily, Congolese musician DJ Grin, TSU Terry and Crew, Hip-Hop artist Ike Modeezy, and many more.

About The Youth Resiliency Institute

The Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival is managed and co-founded by The Youth Resiliency Institute (YRI). For over 15 years, YRI has been dedicated to developing, researching, and implementing culturally responsive community arts initiatives in Baltimore, with a special focus on the historic Cherry Hill community.

For more information, please visit www.cherryhillfest.org.