Dear Community,

We know the weather forecast isn’t ideal, and we want to begin by saying this clearly: your safety is our first priority.

It looks like we’ll have rain throughout most of the event, with snow possibly beginning later in the evening. Because of that, we’re asking everyone to plan thoughtfully — time your arrival carefully, prepare for weather conditions, and arrange transportation with care.

We are still very excited to gather with you — and we are planning intentionally to make the day smooth, warm, and meaningful despite the rain.

Below is everything you need to know.

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EVENT DETAILS
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Location:
Creative Saints Loft
4633 42nd Place
Hyattsville, MD 20781

Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

For the safety of our vendors, staff, and guests — especially with snow forecasted later in the evening — we will be ending promptly at 6:00 PM.

We kindly ask everyone to be mindful and respectful of this closing time so our team can pack up and travel home safely.

We recommend planning to spend at least 40 minutes at the event so you can fully experience the vendors, exhibition, and programming.

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PLEASE DRESS & PREPARE FOR WEATHER
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• Dress warmly (layers, coat, boots recommended)
• Bring an umbrella
• Allow extra travel time
• Plan rideshares in advance if possible

Rain is expected during event hours, and streets may be slick.

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PARKING & ARRIVAL (VERY LIMITED)
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Parking near the venue is extremely limited.

Limited street parking is available on 42nd Place (up to the cones), but these spots will fill quickly — especially due to inclement weather and expected attendees.

We strongly encourage:

• Parking in the Arts District lots
• Parking near Franklin’s Restaurant
• Calling a Lyft or Uber (approximately a 2-minute ride to the venue)

Please anticipate:
• Tight neighborhood streets
• Possible traffic congestion
• A short wait to enter if we reach indoor capacity

Arriving early will help reduce stress and ensure you don’t miss programming.

If there is a line:
You’ll see two outdoor tents at the venue where volunteers will greet and guide you inside as space allows.

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ENTRY, CHECK-IN & WRISTBANDS
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All guests will enter through the main entrance on 42nd Place.

Upon entry:
• Check in at the Welcome Table
• Receive a designated wristband
• ID will be checked at the door for:
– The Wine & Book Tasting Experience
– Spirited Sweets (cocktail-inspired cupcakes)

Due to limited indoor capacity, there is no re-entry once you exit the building.
Please plan accordingly before entering.

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ACCESSIBILITY NOTE
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The upstairs Den & Loft space is accessible by staircase only (no elevator).

All selling vendors will be located downstairs in the Gallery.

All Loft panels will be live-streamed on the @cozygirlbookclub page for those who cannot access the upstairs area.

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SPECIAL EVENT PANEL SCHEDULE
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2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The Cozy Digital Video Campaign & Community Activities
(Den & Loft)m

Panels hosted by former Miss DC USA, Crystal Crowell

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Keynote Address
Featuring Lady Brion

4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Preserving the Legacy Among Black Voices in the Arts
Featuring Zoma Wallace, Michelle Evans, and Kelsea Johnson
Moderated by Kenny Carroll & Maria Fernanda

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
100 Years of Black History: Reading, Rest, and Other Revolutionary Things
Moderated by Sierra Fisher & Lit with Leia

Please note: Loft panels are VIP access only due to limited capacity. Lottery requests open at 5:00 PM, and selected guests will be notified later this evening (9:00 PM).

We will only accept 15 guests into each panel and seating and refreshments will be provided along with an intimate and exclusive Q&A with our panelists.

You can enter the lottery for a panel ticket here:

https://posh.vip/e/black-book-block-party-panel-ticket-lottery

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WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO
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• 50+ Black authors, booksellers, and organizations
• Art exhibition: Inside the Black Mind featuring 20+ DMV artists
• Community activations
• Cozy gathering spaces
• Raffles and special experiences

Despite the rain, we are building something powerful and intentional — and we cannot wait to share it with you.

Thank you for preparing thoughtfully, arriving patiently, and supporting our vendors and staff as we prioritize safety.

We’ll see you Sunday — rain or shine.

With care,
The Black Book Block Party Team