The Weekend Round-Up: September 27-28

Seasonal fun, museums for free (even more than the usual), bargain shopping to support a school, art events to unleash your creativity, a truck touch, live entertainment, neighborhood celebrations, a dance party for little ones, and even more awesome activities make this round-up. Plus, the weather forecast indicates that these outdoor recs are a must-check, too. Happy Weekend!

Celebrate Fall
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Celebrate the season at a festival this weekend. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities galore to help folks embrace the autumn spirit. This guide has details on a bunch of fall festivals around the area.

World of Wheels
Where: Dematha High School
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $5, $10/VIP package
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Prince George’s County is hosting its 3rd annual World of Wheels for CASA, a touch-a-truck event and family festival. All kinds of cool vehicles will be on site and open for guests to explore. Even better, Batman, himself, will appear with the Batmobile from 11am – 1pm, and the Maryland National Capitol Park Police Prince George’s County Mounted Division will be on hand throughout the day. On top of all that, there will be games, face painting, food, animals, and other fun activities. Proceeds from the event will help to raise funds to recruit and train more volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children. The $10 VIP Package includes a bag with snacks, a drink, freebies from sponsors, and a moon bounce pass. Dematha High School is located at 4313 Madison St. in Hyattsville, Md.

Barracks Row Fall Festival
Where: 8th Street SE, Capitol Hill
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Showcasing the marine barracks and commerce on 8th Street SE in Capitol Hill, this annual festival is fun for all ages. Enjoy tours of the historic barracks, live entertainment, a petting zoo, food and art vendors, and tons of fun for kids, including the National Symphony Orchestra’s Instrument Petting Zoo, back for another here of musical amusement. And a Beer Garden for grown-ups is a bonus.

Museum Day Live
Where: Various museums
When: Saturday
Admission: FREE
There are some museums in the DC area that actually do charge admission. But on Saturday, Smithsonian Magazine is hosting it’s annual Museum Day Live!, when those that require us to open our wallets are free. You do have to register and bring a ticket (that is good for admission for two people), but it’s all complimentary!

Legendary Yard Sale
Where: Maury Elementary School
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free, but be ready to spend on awesome finds!
Bargain hunters take note: This is one Yard Sale you don’t want to miss! I know this because it’s for my kids’ school, so I’ve got the inside scoop on it and can say with certainty that it’s going to be huge and excellent. Clothes, toys, bikes, books, baby gear, housewares, furniture, and much more fantastic stuff will be on sale for super cheap. Even better, all proceeds help support a DC public school. Maury Elementary is located at 1250 Constitution Ave. NE.

Leesburg Airshow
Where: Leesburg Executive Airport
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The 5th annual Leesburg Airshow will take to the skies with thrilling aerobatic demonstrations, sky divers, and more! Witness a showcase of impressive aircraft, classic cars, and a variety of exhibitors on the tarmac, food vendors, flight schools, and aviation clubs among them. Satellite parking locations will be at Heritage High School at 520 Evergreen Mill Rd SE or Tuscarora High School at 801 N. King Street, both in Leesburg. Shuttles will transport to the Airshow from there.

FIGMENT DC
Where: Anacostia Park
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This participatory art phenomenon will transform the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground serving as an open platform for artists of all genres to engage with a diverse audience and share their artistic visions. Over 40 local DC area artists will present collaborative art projects and events at FIGMENT DC, including music, sculpture, visual art and mixed media, earth works, dance and movement, and story-telling. Some of the featured exhibits at this event include Bike Jousting, where participants can grab a bicycle and lance for the “Champion of Figment;” Cabana, a playful sculpture environment featuring plastic play balls suspended from an open umbrella, creating an immersive interactive experience; Kinetic Playhouse, inviting spectators take part in building a free flowing structure designed purely for play; and The Tactical Giggler, an interactive laugh factory featuring a variety of auditory, visual, and tactilestimulus to entertain, that engages and invites participants to inspire and ignite laughter. Additional projects include yoga, music, pillow fighting, and a caterpillar reminiscent of Wonderland.

Ren Fest
Where: Revel’s Grove in Crownsville, Md
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $22/ages 16 and up, $10/ages 7-15, free for 6 and under
Enjoy the bounty of merriment at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The annual faire recalls medieval times with a village full of fun and entertainment for the whole family. This is one of my very favorite events in the DC area, and it could very well become one of yours, too. Huzzah!

Nats vs. Marlins
Where: Nationals Parks
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket Prices Vary
Catch the final games of the Nats regular season as our playoff-bound team takes on the Marlins. There are games Friday afternoon (1:05pm) and evening (7:05pm), Saturday (4:05pm), and Sunday (1:35pm). Take advantage of the Harris Teeter Family Pack promo and other goodies that will be offered throughout the weekend.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* See an opening weekend performance of The Night Fairy at Imagination Stage
* Be wowed by the acrobatic feats and playful performances of the Big Apple Circus!
* Catch Stuart Little at Adventure Theatre
* Go Under the Canopy with Arts on the Horizon
* Watch Rapunzel let down her hair as The Puppet Co. presents the marionette version of the classic fairytale.
* Pandamonium and World on a String are the featured Tiny Tots shows at The Puppet Co.
* The Twigs are playing the Saturday morning performance at Jammin’ Java
* Driving Miss Daisy is beginning its month-long run at Ford’s Theatre
* Enjoy Alice in Wonderland at Workhouse Arts Center
* Saturday Morning at the National is kicking off its fall season with “What’s that Sound?”, a journey through Latin America with interactive folktales

Sloth Day
Where: National Zoo
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Turn your world upside down at the National Zoo’s Sloth Day event. Visit the Small Mammal House during this fun family-friendly event and learn all about Sloths and their habitats. Take part in educational and fun activities for children and adults; listen to keeper talks, and watch live Sloth demonstrations.

Color the K
Where: Mount Vernon Triangle, 5th & K NW
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Be part of an inaugural art explosion event! “Color the K” is designed for full community participation and interaction, including free activities for all. Help create a temporary mural led by local artist Rose Jaffe, watch chalk art demos and do your own, enjoy a hardware art show hosted by 5th Street Ace Hardware, and more. Other art activities for kids and adults to explore will be held alongside the Saturday morning Mount Vernon Triangle FRESHFARM Market.

Fall Harvest Festival
Where: Great Country Farms
When: All weekend long
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
Great Country Farms’ seasonal celebration begins this weekend and will run through October. Have an unforgettable experience picking pumpkins, cheering on the fastest piglet, smashing pumpkins with P-Rex, getting lost in the corn maze and tons more fun on the five acres of family-friendly amusement.

Clarendon Day
Where: Clarendon Metro
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Head to the area around the Clarendon Metro station for an event that brings the local community together. Dozens of vendors, food from neighborhood restaurants, music on two stages, fitness classes, and a KidZone will be part of the action. And this year they are bringing back the chili with the DC Chili Cookoff making the Clarendon Day locale their home.

Noyes Family Hoedown
Where: Kensington Town Hall
When: Saturday, 1-am – 12pm
Admission: $10/person, $25/max family
Dress in your cowboy boots and hats and head to Kensington for a hoedown that is not only fun for the whole family, but also helps support the Noyes Library Children’s Foundation. Enjoy square dancing, children’s crafts, fall games, snacks, and more. The Town Hall is located at 3710 Mitchell Street in Kensington, Md.

Baby Loves Disco
Where: Rock ‘n Roll Hotel
When: Saturday, 11am – 1:30pm
Admission: $18/person, $60/family 4-pack
The family dance party is back on H Street! The fun will feature BLD’s signature DJ and MC, along with all kinds of kids activities. The MC will pump up the crowd, and the DJ will spin G-rated dance tunes, while kids and parents groove along and enjoy the disco.

Celebrate Kids
Where: DC Child and Family Services Agency
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Partners for Kids in Care (PFK), part of the Child and Family Services Agency serving nearly 3,000 children and youth in DC’s child protective system, wants to introduce their organization to YOU! They are inviting the public to learn more about ways to get involved with PFK at an Open House this Saturday. Stop by their in the Navy Yard area to find about their programs and initiatives and see their newly renovated Children’s Aspire Boutique (The Children’s Donation Center). In an effort to kick off their “Toiletry for Kids Campaign” they ask that each attendee bring a toiletry item or kit to place in the Children’s Aspire Boutique. Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, diapers and wipes for infants, children and teens are among the items they need. The DC Child and Family Services Agency is located at 200 I Street SE.

Turkish Festival
Where: Freedom Plaza
When: Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate all things Turkish at the 12th Annual Turkish Festival on Sunday. Watch Turkish dance and stage performances, enjoy a Turkish coffee and tea and have and find out your destiny from the ever-popular Turkish fortune-tellers who read fortunes from coffee grinds, and sample Turkish cuisine from local restaurants. Shop an authentic Turkish bazaar featuring 25 vendors showcasing everything from Turkish jewelry to clothing to home accessories. And a “Kid’s Tent” will provide an interactive introduction to Turkey with hands-on activities for children of all ages.

Then & Wow!
Where: Glen Echo Park
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This family festival is the Glen Echo Park Partnership’s annual celebration of the Park’s revitalization and recalling of its history. The event features kiddie rides and arcade games, as well as videos and an exhibition on the Park’s past. Other activities include carousel rides, face painting, vintage cars, magic shows with Jay Mattioli and Chris McCauley, and mini golf. Admission to the park is free, but rides and some activities require tickets.