By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com
The Black-owned Célebréz en Rosé wine and music festival will return to the Washington metropolitan area on May 28. This year’s gathering will take place in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia, Md.
This year’s musical guests include R&B singer-songwriter Jacquees, rapper Mannie Fresh, DJ 5’9 and go-go band UCB.
“‘Célebréz en rosé,’ is French for ‘celebrate in pink,’ We really focused on the industry strength of rosé, which has had an explosive evolution,” said Cleveland Spears III, founder and executive producer of Célebréz en Rosé.
Attendees are encouraged to don pink and white attire to complement the theme of the festival.
“We saw how it was not just associated with wine, but a lifestyle. People associate rosé with summertime, good weather, outdoors, hanging out with friends and a certain kind of aesthetic. We started this festival as a unique way to get people to come out and enjoy it together.”
In 2018, the first Célebréz en Rosé festival took place in Atlanta. Since then, the festival has expanded to cities, including Houston and Washington, D.C., to draw more attendees.
D.C.’s first festival was held in 2019 and, in previous years, it took place at the National Harbor. But Célebréz en Rosé outgrew the venue, drawing more than 8,000 attendees last year.
Spears said he chose Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods because its expansive outdoor space paired well with the picnic-style festival.
During Célebréz en Rosé, attendees will have the chance to sip on cocktails, champagnes and wines, many from Black-owned wineries, and eat from local food trucks. Lawn games and more than 15 photo installations will be available to document attendees’ experience this year.
Célebréz en Rosé is also allowing attendees to bring their own food to enjoy.
General admission and VIP tickets are still available for purchase. Both come with a souvenir wine glass and picnic blankets.
“Our hope is for everyone to be safe and for everyone to have a good time, make memories and meet new friends,” said Spears.
Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.
