The Weekend Round-Up: September 28-30

Happy Weekend!

Star Wars Under the Stars
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
Admission: Free
The Library of Congress will screen the original trilogy episodes of the blockbuster series each evening at 7:30pm (inside on Thursday, on the north lawn Friday & Saturday) and host related events during the day. A display, “Celebrating Star Wars,” focuses on Star Wars materials and the works that inspired the story of Star Wars. On Saturday, there will be Star Wars-themed crafts and activities all day where visitors can get to know the music and stories of Star Wars, plus a story time will be held at 11am.

Fall Festing
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Seasonal festivals are in full swing at area farms, in local communities, even a 16th century village in Maryland, and they’re welcoming visitors for all kinds of fun. A few are listed here, and you can get details on the rest of them in this post about autumn celebrations.

Barracks Row Fall Festival
Where: 8th Street SE |Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Showcasing the marine barracks and commerce of 8th Street SE on Capitol Hill, this annual festival is fun for all ages. Enjoy tours of the historic barracks, live entertainment, an animal petting zoo, skateboarding demos, food and art vendors, a donkey procession, and tons of fun for kids, including an instrument petting zoo and more amusement for the younger set. A Beer Garden for grown-ups is a bonus.

Fall For Fairfax KidsFest
Where: Fairfax County Government Center | Fairfax VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 7pm & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This annual event includes exciting, interactive, and educational programs, entertainment, and activities. Especially designed for families with elementary and pre-K aged children, activities include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, public safety and recycling-themed exhibits, pony rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, model trains, and the KidWay MidWay with more than a dozen rides, bounces, and attractions. There’s plenty for adults, too, with more than 75 exhibits, live entertainment, fun activities, and great festival food. While admission is free, some rides and concessions will require a fee.

Queen City Mischief & Magic
Where: Staunton, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission:
Wizards and muggles from near and far descend upon Staunton for the annual Queen City Mischief & Magic. With a touch of wizardry, the historic downtown is transformed into a magical village, offering themed shopping, dining, and hands-on activities for all ages. Experiment with potions. Enjoy delicious wizard fare and libations. Try your hand at wild beast taming or wizard dueling. Visitors are greeted by Norberta the Dragon, where selfies and costumes are encouraged. Unlock the secrets of Staunton’s bewitching historic downtown using our Mischief Map. Use Traipse, the free app, to explore the walkable downtown while solving puzzles designed to tickle every wizard’s brain…and maybe find a few treasures along the way.

5k and Kids Dash
Where: Fort Hunt Park | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 7:30am
Admission: $25/adult, $5/child
Arts on the Horizon is hosting its first-ever 5k Fundraiser! Join them in Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria for a run/walk to support their arts education programs and performances and enjoy some family fun. The festivities will start at 7:30am with a pre-run warm-up lead by Fitness on the Run! In addition to the race, they will have activities throughout the morning to offer more fun ways to show your support. Find more details and register here.

FREE Sports Leagues for Kids
Where: Walter Pierce Park | Adams Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 1pm
Admission: FREE
Join the Volo City Kids Foundation on Saturday as they begin their free sports leagues for kids ages 6-12 sponsored by Nike. No previous experience is necessary! The first league will be soccer starting this Saturday and running for seven weeks. All materials, including a free Nike shirt and healthy snack from Kind and FitJoy will be provided. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity! Register your child today for one of their ten leagues. Walter Pierce Park is located at 2630 Adams Mill Rd NW #208 in Adams Morgan.

Sensory-Friendly Screening
Where: Regal Rockville Center Stadium | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $6.50
Catch a Sensory-Friendly Screening of Smallfoot on Saturday morning. The newest My Way Matinee from Regal gives everyone the opportunity to experience a movie once a month with the sound turned down and the lights turned up. Watch the trailer for the movie here.

Nuestra Ciudad/Our City – Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Meet local artists, musicians, and dancers, and join in festivities to celebrate Washington, DC’s Hispanic heritage. This will all take place in the lovely Kogod Courtyard, but plan to explore the rest of the museum, too! Read more about it in this KFDC post.

Leesburg Airshow
Where: Leesburg Executive Airport
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The 9th 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. Go here for directions and parking instructions.

Kreeger Museum Family Day
Where: The Kreeger Museum | Foxhall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Kreeger Museum to celebrate art, music, and nature. The day includes outdoor art activities for children, a djembe drum circle, performances by the Elijah Jamal Balbed Quartet, and Sculpture Garden and Gallery art talks. Picnic blankets are welcome in the Sculpture Garden — Rocklands BBQ and Captain Cookie and the Milkman will be there selling lunch and sweet treats.

Opera in the Outfield
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 5pm
Admission: Free
How about opera where there’s usually baseball? The Washington National Opera presents Opera in the Outfield for the 11th year with a simulcast performance of The Barber of Seville on Saturday evening. The show starts at 7pm, but gates open at 5pm for “pregame” activities for the entire family, including a costume shop, an instrument meet and greet, chances to win prizes, and more. Get there early for a seat on the field, otherwise there will be plenty of seating in the stands.

Rec Day 2018
Where: Randall Recreation Center | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Parks and Rec are excited to celebrate the 3rd Annual DPR Rec Day. Join for a day of fun and entertainment. Guests can participate in all kinds of sports and fitness activities. There will be a showcase of local talent including a youth basketball scrimmage, teen fashion show, and amateur boxing. Little ones will love face painting and moon bouncing. And free snack, plus food truck fare will be available.

Refurbished Bike Sale
Where: Big Bear Cafe
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Considering commuting on 2 wheels? Looking for a jump on fall riding? Just in time, Phoenix Bikes will be selling a large inventory of quality, refurbished bikes and new bike gear at Big Bear Cafe, along with Gearin’ Up Bicycles and Bikes for the World. Check out the sale for a great deal on a bike that benefits local non-profits…truly a win-win!

The Story House
Where: Right Proper Brewing | Brookland, DC
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Parents, kids, voracious readers of all appetites and ages, don’t miss The Story House, a mobile children’s bookstore, on its visit to Right Proper Brewing in Brookland! The Story House offers a unique shopping experience for kids and adults alike, with a thoughtfully-curated selection of books for young readers of all ages. The Story House will be collaborating with Huddle for the Future, a local DC resistance group, on a book drive on behalf of Mary House. Shop the Trolley and stock your home library, and while you’re there, pick up a title or two for donation to Mary House, a Brookland-based non-profit that serves immigrant and refugee families with housing and family support services. 

Show Time
Where: Venues around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Adventure Theatre brings Blueberries for Sal to their stage
* InterAct Story Theatre presents Voytto Tech: a scifi fable, combining science and technology with a story exploring the tough topics of bullying and social inequity.
* It’s the final weekend for Peter and the Wolf, the Main Stage production at The Puppet Co.
* And little ones will love Dragon Babies, this week’s featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre.
* South Pacific is on stage at Olney Theatre
* Make it a date night for Turn Me Loose at Arena Stage.

World Architecture Day
Where: Building Museum & Hirshorn | Penn Quarter & National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Monday, October 1, is World Architecture Day, and you can celebrate it a day early (and on the day of) with activities at two iconic DC buildings: the National Building Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Drop into either or both museums for tours, talks, activities, and more. Get specifics and the schedule of events here.

Then & Wow!
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
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. Take a ride on the historic Dentzel Carousel, get little faces painted, see vintage cars, and be wowed magic shows, too. Admission to the park is free, but rides and some activities require tickets.

Turkish Festival
Where: Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 12th-14th St. | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
You’ll be whirling like a dervish from all there is to enjoy at the 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 with 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.

Day in the Park
Where: Stead Park | Northwest DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
The Washington Jewish Music Festival welcomes all to a fun-filled day in the park. Bring the whole family for a Sukkot celebration featuring games, kids’ activities, and musical performances by Josh and the Jamtones!

Annual Family Day + Concert
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital is marking its 7th birthday with a Family Day celebrating history while looking towards the future! They’ll have Civil War-era activities and figures, a team of coppersmiths and blacksmiths, horse-drawn wagon rides, interactive games and crafts, as well as face-painting and balloon animals. After the kid’s activities, enjoy a concert magic show, a kids’ concert by King Bullfrog, and a performance by The Gina Clowes Project! Concession will be available for purchase.

Make Great Strides for a Great Cause
Where: 10215 Fernwood Rd. | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 7am
Admission: $30
Looking for a 5k this fall? Orthobethesda’s second annual Great Strides Family Fun 5k Run & Walk is great for serious runners and families. The event raises funds to benefit rare epilepsy and brain tumor called hypothalamic hamartoma. For more information or to run/walk, go here.

Navy Mile
Where: Navy Memorial Plaza | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 8am
Admission: $10-40 to run
Modeled after the famous Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City, the Navy Mile is designed for all ages and abilities, from serious mile athletes and Wounded Warriors to casual runners and even non-runners. The run is only half the fun; it will be accompanied on the Navy Memorial Plaza by an Expo featuring a full slate of activities that are all family-friendly and open to everyone!

Fall Open House
Where: Workafrolic | Northeast DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Workafrolic, the coworking space perfect for parents with flexible child care on-site, is hosting an open house on Sunday. Stop in from 10am-12pm to check out the space and learn more about their offerings — and bring kiddos with you. They’ll have fun activities for children 0-4 years old, mini music lessons, coffee, snacks, and door prizes.

Used Children’s Book Sale
Where: Providence (X) Park | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free to shop books; $20/family for Fall Fest
Get some new reads for the kids at Brent Elementary’s annual used children’s books sale. There will be a great selection of books, including board books, picture books, early readers, beginning chapter books, young adult books, plus a variety of juvenile nonfiction books. Everything from Sandra Boynton to Magic Treehouse to Percy Jackson to the pictorial history of Rome! It’s a great place to start your child’s library or get books for those moving on to the next stage. Prices are always super low, and all sales go to support the school’s PTA. Providence Park is located between D and E and 2nd and 3rd Streets SE.

Baby Jam Music & Yoga
Where: Nordstrom at Montgomery Mall | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 11-11:45am
Admission: Free trial class
Nordstrom and Baby Jam are teaming up to bring a free, fun and interactive music session for 0-4 year olds! The event will be in the kids department. PS: Baby Jam also provides music for 0-4 year olds every Friday at 9:15am in Nordstrom before the store opens. Go here to try a free class!

Fall Fun Fest 
Where: Armed Forces Retirement Home |
When: Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $10 suggested parking donation
Join the Friends of the Soldiers Home for their 5th Annual Fall Fun Fest at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The free family-friendly event includes bluegrass music, arts & crafts, a petting zoo, bounce house, face and pumpkin painting, and many more activities for kids and adults. Food truck and stands will offer concessions for purchase.

Opt Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The rain is going to be replaced with lots of sunshine, according to the forecast. Get out and enjoy some sublime early fall days. The round-up of The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids has ideas galore for doing just that.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Does your kid love to sing? National Children’s Chorus is holding auditions on October 19!
* If you’re looking for ways to enjoy autumn in the DC area that are not farm festivals, here are 10 ideas.
* DC area parents can sign their kids up to play in a sports league this fall for FREE with Volo City Kids!
* D’Amore Injury Law is hosting a Car Seat Giveaway for Child Passenger Safety Week.
* If you’ve been reading KFDC for awhile, you might remember I posted about this horrific incident that occurred a few years ago in my neighborhood as well as the beautiful writing it inspired…which has led to this.