On Saturday, September 20, 2025 we held a celebration of Baltimore’s arabber tradition and an arabber reunion–a day for arabbers past and present to come together and share their stories with the public. The event celebrated the 90th birthday of arabber Donald “China” Waugh and all those who have worked to keep the arabber tradition alive in Baltimore.
For media coverage of the event see the Baltimore Beat “Photo story: An arabber reunion”.
For over a century, the arabbers of Baltimore have been more than just street vendors; they are a vital, living testament to the city’s rich cultural tapestry and a powerful symbol of independent entrepreneurship.
These iconic figures, with their horse-drawn carts laden with fresh produce, have navigated Baltimore’s streets for generations, serving as essential links between farmers and urban communities, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.
Donald “China” Waugh was born January 30,1935 and has been active in the arabber horse and wagon vending tradition of Baltimore for over 65 years. China worked for many years at the Carlton Street stable (built in the 1850s) near Hollins Market and owned by the Kratz family.
Today Levar Mullen–a fourth generation arabber–runs the Carlton Street stable and works with the Stable Baltimore project to preserve the culture and offer a range of activities from arts activism to horse healing for people interested in engaging the arabbers. From tours to offer programming workshops to ride-alongs, they have ways for people of all ages to be a part of this Baltimore cultural tradition.
The event was a fundraiser for Stable Baltimore: https://www.stablebaltimore.com/
You can still donate and support preserving the arabber tradition HERE.
Non-profit Stable Baltimore is using the tradition to teach young people life skills and to keep the practice alive.
Video produced on Carlton Street Stable by MCS TV Production students in 2024:
Co-sponsored by:
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Southwest Partnership
Poppleton Now Community Association
Stable Baltimore & the Arabber Preservation Society
The Orser Center for Public Humanities @ UMBC
Maryland Folklife Network of Maryland Tradition, MSAC
Hollins Roundhouse Association
Video produced by MCS TV Production students.
4MLK / BioPark / Wexford Science + Technology
The Beautiful Side of Ugly
Photos provided by Donald Waugh, Dan Van Allen, and Edwin Remsberg.
Catering provided by Rooted Rotisserie, a local Black-owned business by Hollins Market.