Rentals FAQ

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Now Booking for 2013!

 

Call 301-634-2233 today for available dates through 2013.

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

How long may I hold a date? 

 

You may hold a date free of charge for up to 14 days. 

 

What is the booking and contract process? 

 

Within the 14-day hold period, we require that you fill out a facility rental information form. This form will allow us to draw up your contract. Once the contract is sent to you, you have two weeks to return the signed contract to the Partnership along with your first deposit. We do not require a deposit on the space until you have had a chance to review the contract. 

 

What is the cancelation policy? 

 

If you cancel your event at least 90 days prior to your event date, you will be refunded the full amount of the rental fee deposit, less a $200 processing fee. If notification is received less than 90 days prior to the date of the event, your rental fee deposit will be forfeited, but you will receive a credit against the rental fee forfeiture if the venue is subsequently rented on the same date. 

 

What is included with the facility?  

 

Your rental fee pays for the use of the space only, including any benches and fans already in the venue. We do not provide tables, chairs or other additional supplies for events, but these can be supplied by catering companies or other rental companies. Tables and chairs used in our spaces must have rubber or wooden feet in order to prevent scratching. 

 

What catering companies do you allow?

 

If the event is to be catered, the caterer must be selected from among these six approved caterers: Main Event Caterers, Matters of Taste, Occasions Caterers, Ridgewells, Star Catering, and Windows Catering. Contact information for these caterers can be supplied as requested. Outside caterers are not allowed.

 

Are there any restrictions on alcohol?

 

Since Glen Echo Park is a National Park, you must apply for an Alcoholic Beverage Permit through the National Park Service in order to serve alcohol. The Partnership can provide the application form and submit the completed form on your behalf at no fee. Only beer, wine and champagne may be served; all hard liquor is prohibited, and there is no exception to this rule. Food must be served at an event with alcohol. A security fee of $12/hour will be applied if the total facility rental fee is less than $500. 

 

You may supply the alcoholic beverages for the event, or you may have your caterer supply alcohol. In either case, all alcohol must be controlled, opened and served by the caterer’s personnel. Both service and consumption of alcohol are restricted to the venue you have rented. 

 

What times can I rent the facility?

 

The Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion have three rental time periods: all day, partial daytime and partial evening. An all day rental allows the renter to have the space for the entire day and night. A partial daytime rental ranges begins at 8 am and ends with the venue cleaned and the renter out of the space by 6 pm. A partial evening rental begins at 6 pm and ends with the venue cleaned and the renter out of the space by 1 am. Additional hours may be added to these partial rental time periods at an additional cost and based on availability. Prices vary depending on the time period. 

 

There are other facilities available for rent at the Park for a minimum of four hours, with additional hours available. Times for rental of any of our spaces includes the time needed for set up and clean up, in addition to the event. 

 

May I have my wedding ceremony at the Park?

 

Yes. There are several places to have your ceremony at Glen Echo Park, depending on how many people you are expecting and what you are looking for in a ceremony site. A National Park Service Special Use Permit may be required at no extra charge for your ceremony, depending on where it is held. Throwing of seeds or rice is prohibited, but bubbles or flower petals are allowed. Ceremony sites are rented as an additional space and have their own rental prices. 

 

Are there any decorating restrictions?

 

Because Glen Echo Park is a National Park and its buildings are historic properties, great care must be taken to protect and preserve these structures.  All decorations planned for the rented venue or elsewhere in the Park must be approved in advance by Partnership staff.  The use of tape, staples or nails to affix decorations or signs to any rental venue is strictly prohibited.  Flammable substances and open flames are not permitted in or near ANY Park structure. Balloons are allowed as long as they are firmly secured. The release of balloons in the Park is not allowed. 

 

Is there a sound system in the facility?

 

Both the Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion have a built-in stage and in-house sound system. If the house sound system is to be used, a trained sound technician must be hired to operate it at an additional expense to the renter. Other spaces in the Park do not have a sound system.

 

Are there any music restrictions?

 

Live or DJ music is fine to have in both the Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion. 

 

Are candles permitted?

 

Because our buildings are historic, no open flames are allowed in or near any of the buildings. As an alternative, LED candles or votives may be used.

 

Are there any other restrictions I should be aware of?

 

Since the Spanish Ballroom is an historic building, we take great care in preserving the dance floor. Because of this, if any food or refreshments is served in the Ballroom itself the floor must be covered with a waterproof carpet wherever food or drink service will occur. This is done at the renter's own expense and arrangement. The Partnership is happy to recommend vendors that can provide this service. 

 

Since there is no heat in the Bumper Car Pavilion and Spanish Ballroom, can I bring
in additional heaters?

 

The Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion have some electric heat panels or lamps that can help heat parts of the space. Additionally, the Bumper Car Pavilion has clear plastic sides that can be lowered to enclose the space. Any additional heating of the Bumper Car Pavilion would require the approval and permission of the National Park Service and the Glen Echo Park Partnership.  Both have the right to remove unsafe heating devices. Additional heating of the Spanish Ballroom is not permitted. 

 

What happens if the Park is closed due to inclement weather or power outage?

 

If the Park must close for reasons related to severe inclement weather (snow, ice, hurricane), power outages, or other acts of God, the renter will be allowed to reschedule the event based on availability, or receive a refund. The Partnership will not be responsible for fees or costs incurred related to caterers, bands or other vendors due to rescheduling or cancelation. 

 

Is parking available at Glen Echo Park?

 

Parking is free at Glen Echo Park. We have a large main lot off of Oxford Road that your guests can use. Unfortunately, we do not allow overnight parking. The parking lot nearest to the trolley is permit only 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is limited parking available in the gravel lot off of MacArthur Blvd that is permit only until 4 pm. Renters can have valet parking at their own expense and arrangement. 

 

Does the Partnership offer any discounts?

 

If you are a member of the Glen Echo Par Partnership or a donor, please speak to the Partnership staff to determine whether your contribution to the Park qualifies you for a rental discount. Unfortunately, we do not offer discounts for nonprofit organizations or residents of Montgomery County. 

 

Is smoking allowed?

 

Smoking is not allowed in any of our buildings or structures. Smoking is permitted only outside.

 

Do you have any smaller indoor rooms?

 

We have several rooms in the North Arcade building. Smaller rooms can hold up to 35 people and the larger rooms can hold up to 60-70. Rooms are rented at an additional cost.