Baltimore's HONfest is coming to an end, organizers say

BALTIMORE - After three decades, the annual tradition 'Honfest' in Hampden came to an end. 

On Thursday, an email was sent to vendors that stated the organizers decided to retire, and with that retirement closes the chapter to the summertime gathering on West 36th Street.

"We will miss all of you, but what you brought to HONfest and to Baltimore will stay in our hearts for years to come," HONfest Vendor and Logistics Coordinator Wendy Sites said.

The event showcased and celebrated working class women of the 1950s and 1960s.

'Hon', a Baltimore term of endearment short for 'honey, became closely tied to beehive hairdos and jeweled cat eyeglasses with a pageant held at the festival, 'Baltimore's Best Hon'. 

Vendors would line The Avenue while people from across the street would sightsee, shop and eat. 

"I give Denise Whiting a lot of credit for really energizing the neighborhood," Jeremy Kargon said. "I think neither of us are into that kind of kitschy representation of made-up history of Baltimore but outside of that, we definitely enjoyed it."

The announcement came with mixed feelings from merchants along the popular strip. 

 "I think it's definitely time to try something new," Capt'n Crabby Owner MJ Medlar said. 

Last year, Medlar said businesses in Hampden took a hit after Hampdenfest was cancelled and months before, controversy with Honfest diminished turnout. 

Event organizers rejected Planned Parenthood's application to be a vendor in 2023. 

Planned Parenthood had been at the forefront of "hot topics" since the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision.

"Our sincere intent was to remain politically neutral and avoid any type of conflict, and in doing so, we inadvertently created the controversy we were desperately hoping to avoid. We are deeply sorry and apologize for our decision to exclude your organization," HonFest previously said. "We understand that Planned Parenthood offers a full spectrum of invaluable information and resources to our community and we hope you will for our severe shortsightedness."

The health care provider was then invited to participate in the festival but declined. 

Meanwhile, those who live, work and visit the Hampden neighborhood hope to see more community events in the future. 

"It would have been a great way to advertise, get the word out, make a little money, have fun and really become part of the community so I would like to see all of the events come back this year in different forms, perhaps," Medlar said.