Handmade on Hamilton on Budget Chopping Block

With the city of Hyattsville facing a $1.6 million budget shortfall next year, the Handmade on Hamilton street festival is set to be cut from the city's budget.

According to Abby Sandel, director of the Hyattsville Department of Community Services, the festival, which aimed to celebrate handmade arts and crafts from around the world, Handmade on Hamilton was the most expensive event on the city's calendar last year. Expenses associated with closing the street, overtime for police and public works personnel, and event entertainment pushed the cost of the festival to roughly $46,000

"It's a little bit heartbreaking," said Sandel to the Hyattsville City Council on Wednesday evening. "What could we do?"

West Hyattsville residents would still have city-sponsored entertainment options, according to Sandel. She proposed moving the movies in the park series to Heurich Park, off of Ager Road. The cost to hold a three-movie film series at the park would be about $4,500. 

Handmade on Hamilton debuted last November, partly, as a way to replace the old International Street festival on Hamilton Street. 

When plans for Handmade on Hamilton were first unveiled, some members of Hyattsville's City Council expressed concern that holding the event in November would hurt attendance. The International Street Festival's date floated through the year, but was always held in either spring or summer. 

Attendance at the first Handmade on Hamilton was less than what organizers had hoped for, attracting an estimated 500 visitors. More than 30 vendors were on hand to try to ply their handmade wares, but were disappointed with slow sales throughout the day. 

Council Member Paula Perry (Ward 4) was disappointed that the event was set to be cancelled this year, and urged city leaders to consider bringing back a springtime International Festival. 

"The festival on Hamilton Street is one that does bring people out from all the wards, down there on the street, especially when it's warmer out," said Perry. "I don't really want to get rid of that. I feel it would be detrimental to my area."

She also said that a Hamilton Street festival is one which engages all ages of residents. A movie series, she said, did not have the same reach.

"I do think that the movies for the kids is great, but the festival is more for the entire family, and not just for the children" said Perry, arguing that entertainment options for older children and teenagers were few and far-between in Hyattsville. "We need more things for the entire festival."

Council Member Robert Croslin (Ward 2) said that a successful West Hyattsville festival is essential to bridging an east-west divide he said is apparent in the city.

"Folks have even expressed to me that they have no reason to cross Queens Chapel Road," said Croslin. "That's an issue."