Md. School for the Blind to host 3rd Annual 'See Beyond' Festival

Families invited to visit MSB’s campus April 27 for a day of games, food/drink, music, vendors, and more in celebration of accessibility and all abilities

OVERLEA — This weekend, The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) will host the third annual See Beyond Festival on its campus at 3501 Taylor Ave. in the Overlea-Parkville area,

This free, community event encourages people of all ages and abilities to “see beyond” the perception of what it is like to live with low vision and discover how adaptable everyone is.

The See Beyond Festival welcomes visitors who will have the unique opportunity to participate, without using their sight, in a host of blind sports including beep baseball, blind soccer, blind lacrosse, and sprint track; blind food tastings; and other tactile activities while wearing light-blocking eyeshades.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first hour of the event will be sensory friendly, meaning that no music or other loud audio will be played, according to MSB officials.

Founded in 1853, MSB serves students with blindness or low vision of all abilities from birth through age 21 with the objective of providing each pupil with a unique educational journey. Annually, the school serves approximately 1,300 students from all 24 Maryland jurisdictions through on-campus and outreach programs.

The event drew nearly 3,000 participants last year, and event organizers expect a larger turnout this year.

CEO Rob Hair and other MSB representatives, along with hundreds of students, educators and supporters, are expected to be in attendance.

The 2024 See Beyond Festival will also feature:

A Kid Zone offering free balloon animals, face painting, sensory and braille crafts and interactive activities. Kids are also invited to enjoy MSB’s fully-accessible playground.A variety of food and drinks from local vendors.A Maker’s Market and Vendor Fair, featuring more than 20 local crafters and vendors. MSB students will sell their own creations, including dog biscuits, plants, and more handmade gifts.Live music from local performers. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.Guide dog demonstrations

Sponsors of the 2024 See Beyond Festival include: Lewis Contractors; Marshall Craft Architecture; Giant Landover, MDP; Penney Design Group; Parker Flavors; WTMD/WYPR; Baltimore Fishbowl; Baltimore Banner; SC&H Group; Maryland Relay; Cigna; Sons of American Legion; Devaney & Associates; T. Rowe Price.

Only service animals are allowed entry at the 2024 See Beyond Festival, MSB officials confirmed.

For more information, visit www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org.