10th ANNUAL WHEATON ARTS PARADE & FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 10am - 5pm 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMERS

 

Points of Contact:

Entertainment Coordinator: Ingrid Gorman, ingridgorman@gmail.com, 301-351-2451

Plaza Stage Manager, Gayle Berens, gayleberens@gmail.com, 202-907-9500

Mural Stage Manager, Jon Cook, cookjonw@gmail.com, 240-370-4736

Grandview Stage Manager, Pete Pinocci, petecomedy@gmail.com, 301-655-4990

WAP Director: Dan Thompson , danthompson@wheatonartsparade.org, 301-949-3727

 

General Information:

 

“RAIN OR SHINE.”  Please check the forecast and dress accordingly.  If there is a threat of showers, please bring rain gear. In case of severe weather, a decision whether to cancel will be made around 6am on the morning of September 27 and will be posted on the WAP website, Facebook, and Instagram. @wheatonartsparade

 

THERE IS NO VEHICLE ACCESS INTO THE FESTIVAL. PERFORMERS ON THE PLAZA AND GRANDVIEW STAGES WILL BE ALLOWED TEMPORARY ACCESS TO DROP OFF INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT BEHIND THE GRANDVIEW STAGE. PERFORMERS ON THE MURAL STAGE WILL BE ABLE TO USE TRIANGLE LANE TO DROP OFF EQUIPMENT. BUT YOUR BEST OPTION MAY BE TO PARK AND CARRY YOUR EQUIPMENT.

 

PARKING: Performers on the Grandview and Plaza stages should consider parking in the WMATA Garage on Veirs Mill Rd. (enter next to Wendy’s.) Parking is also available in the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center. Performers on the Mural Stage should consider parking in the Ennalls Ave parking lot if they arrive after the parade or in the Price/Fern Lot behind the Safeway. It will not be possible for performers to park in the underground garage within the festival area.

 

RESTROOMS: Portable toilets are located in two locations in the Festival area on Grandview Ave near the food vendors. Public restrooms in the county office building are accessible from the pedestrian entrance to the Parking Garage on Grandview.. 

 

PERFORMANCE TIMES & STAGE ASSIGNMENTS are listed after these instructions. FOLLOW THESE TIMES. The times in the printed program and on the website are not precise. Please be at your stage area at least 30 minutes before your scheduled performance time unless you are in the first time slot and are marching in the parade. 

DROP-OFF DIRECTIONS: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your performance time slot and check in with your stage manager. If you are in the parade and perform first, check in at your stage as soon as you are done with the parade. If you have too much to carry from your parking spot and need to drop off equipment before parking, you should notify us in advance of your planned arrival time so that we can temporarily move barricades for your vehicle to pull up behind the stage. See below for specific instructions for load-in for each stage. Make sure that someone from your group is keeping watch over your equipment. WAP staff and volunteers can not be responsible for any equipment. Do not leave instruments unattended. 

 

THE STAGES: There are 3 performance areas (Plaza Stage, Grandview Stage, and the Mural Stage) and they are jam-packed with performances. All three stages are 20x24. The Grandview and Mural stages have wood surfaces. All stages are covered. There are wooden dance floors in front of the Plaza Stage and the Mural Stage. There is a Stage Manager/Emcee at each stage. See the top of this document for their contact info. When you arrive, check in with your Stage Manager and prepare for your performance. 

 

TRANSITIONS BETWEEN PERFORMANCES: There is very little time between acts and very little if any opportunity for sound checks. Thus, you need to have identified your sound needs in advance of the event so that the Stage Manager and sound tech can be ready to help you set up.

 

INTRODUCTION AND PRINTED PROGRAM: You should have provided a few sentences of introduction for the Emcee to read about you or your group and your act. Please make sure the name on the attached performance schedule is the one you want listed in the program and on the stage marquee.

 

LOAD-IN/SET-UP FOR ALL STAGES

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before your performance time slot

• Check in at the stage with the Stage Manager and find out how we are doing in the schedule.

• There is very little time available for sound check.

• We will NOT be using Bluetooth as an option for playback music.

• Music can be played from any of your devices that has a 1/8th inch (headphone) jack, or from an iPhone or iPad. Some devices need a special adaptor (USB-C adapter/lightning connector) to plug in headphones. Please have that with you. If you don’t have one, we have back up connectors. 

• Please note that your phone will need to be on airplane mode during your performance to avoid any calls. This means that you will not be able to stream the music from the internet. Please already have the music saved on your phone.

• We also recommend that somebody else with your group have a backup of the music on their phone, etc. Just in case.

• NO FLASH/THUMB DRIVES are allowed. They can cause the digital audio system to crash.

• If you still have any questions about production or any additional alternatives to playing your background music please reach out to GaryKingsmusic@yahoo.com for Plaza and Grandview Stages and JHonny Saravia JHonny.saravia@chucklevins.com for the Mural Stage.

• Please set up and tear down quickly and clear the stage for the next group of performers.

 

PLAZA STAGE

• Load-in for the Plaza Stage from Veirs Mill Rd at the intersection with Grandview Ave. The road is barricaded but the guards will let you in to unload behind the Grandview Stage if you have too much to carry from your parking space, but you will have to walk it from the Grandview stage to the Plaza stage. After unloading, move your vehicle to your parking spot. Do not leave your equipment unattended.

 

• Please be aware that there will be some dance performances on the Plaza in front of the stage during some set-up and strike periods. If this applies to you, please be respectful of your fellow performers as you set up or strike your equipment from the stage. 

 

GRANDVIEW STAGE (REVIEWING STAND)

• Load-in for the Grandview Stage is from Veirs Mill Rd at the intersection with Grandview Ave. The road is barricaded but the guards will let you in to unload behind the Grandview Stage if you have too much to carry from your parking space, but you will have to walk it from the Grandview stage to the Plaza stage. After unloading, move your vehicle to a parking spot. Do not leave your equipment unattended. 

 

MURAL STAGE

• Load in for the Mural Stage after 11:30 AM is from Triangle Lane from Reedie Dr and Georgia Ave. You may drop off your equipment next to the stage and then park. Between 10:45 and 11:30 drop off at Ennalls Ave Parking Lot (Assembly 2) and carry equipment to the stage. If Triangle Lane is closed, use Ennalls Ave Parking Lot to park and carry equipment to the stage. Do not leave your equipment unattended.

 

• Please be aware that there will be some dance performances on the Mural Stage  in front of the stage during some set-up and strike periods. If this applies to you, please be respectful of your fellow performers as you set up or strike your equipment from the stage.

 

AFTER YOUR PERFORMANCE & EXITING THE FESTIVAL AREA: If you are unable to carry your instruments to your parking space, you can pull behind the Grandview Stage entering from Veirs Mill Rd. The police or “Red Shirt” will have to move a drum barricade to let you in. Cars also may drive up Triangle Lane for a quick pick-up at the Mural Stage.