Tag Archives: August 2021

September 3, 2021 · 9:02 am

The Weekend Round-Up:
September 3-6

 

Happy Long Weekend!

Quick links for all kinds of ongoing & seasonal fun:
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Pick-Your-Own Ops
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Indoor Outings
* Bike Rides
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Season Finales
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This weekend is the last for many pursuits that we’ve been enjoying all summer long, outdoor swimming, entertainment  under the stars, and special museum programs among them. If you’re hoping to get in one last splash in a public pool,  see fairy houses at Annmarie or cherry blossom digital art, take a dip at some local swimming spots, or have fun at a waterpark, then check out the 2021 Summer Guide, which has details on all of these diversions, plus many more.

NSO in Your Neighborhood
Where: Several communities in DC & MD
When: September 3-22
Tickets: Free
The National Symphony Orchestra’s annual program is back! Over three weeks in September, NSO musicians will perform free concerts within the uptown DC neighborhoods of Ward 4, Takoma Park, and downtown Silver Spring. This year’s IYN has 17 events, including two full NSO performances. Events will be offered both indoors and outdoors — at parks, coffee shops, taverns, schools, and more local venues. All concerts and events are free to the public with first-come, first-served seating. See the website for the full schedule.

Merriment Galore
Where: Maryland Renaissance Festival | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $21/adults, $19/seniors, $10/7-15, free/6 & under
Take a glorious day trip back to medieval times at Ren Fest, where there is something for everyone to love. Besides the amazing variety of entertainment — jousting matches, cheeky comedy shows, fire eaters and sword swallowers, juggling acts, Celtic music, and much more — walking among knights, maidens, pirates, and villagers in a 16th-century village as you chomp on turkey legs and down cups of mead is an interesting little jaunt back in time that any age can enjoy.

DC Jazz Fest
Where: Venues around DC
When: Through September 5
Tickets: Vary by performance
The annual DC Jazz Fest is back with in-person performances during this first week of September. Shows are taking place at several venues around DC, including The Wharf, The Hamilton, and Phillips Collections (unfortunately, the fantastic Jazz ‘n Fun Family Days is not happening this year, but you can still enjoy performances at the museum). See the website for the schedule of shows.

Field Day: A Three Day Festival for Emerging Voices
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
In this installment of the Millennium Stage Summer Series, 44:21 and Shout Mouse Press team up to celebrate emerging storytellers. Events include a short film festival featuring the work of young filmmakers, a reading featuring teen authors around the DMV, a writing workshop, and a community open mic. You’ll also get to enjoy live music, buy art from local artists, and buy books from local authors. While you’re there, plan to visit Victura Park — the pop-up wine garden and cafe on the grounds of The REACH is a great place to hang out and enjoy a nice day.

Nats vs. Mets
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are home this holiday weekend and hosting the Mets for five games (double header on Saturday, one is a make-up). Some special things going on: a Ryan Zimmerman Bobblehead giveaway on Friday, post-game fireworks on Saturday evening, and a Heroes Day – September 11 Remembrance on Monday. Of course, any day is great to catch the baseball action.

Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Carlini Field, Catholic University | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: $12-18
Root for the home team of a different sport: Pro Ultimate Frisbee! See exciting Frisbee action as local team DC Breeze takes on Raleigh Flyers in a playoff game.  If they win, they’ll get to play in the Championship Weekend, which is being held in DC at Audi Field this year!

A Wind in the Door
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: September 2-11
Tickets: $20
Catch this show for young audiences at the Kennedy center….   A cosmic mission is unfolding! Don’t miss the onstage debut of the exciting sequel to Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved A Wrinkle in Time. Recommended for ages 9+, this one-hour show takes place indoors in the Family Theatre. Patrons 12 and older must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 – with a physical or digital copy of their vaccination card and government-issued ID with the same name. Children under 12 must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before performance time. Recommended for ages 9+.

A Raisin in the Sun
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: September 2-4
Tickets: Pay-What-You-Can
Olney presents this stage classic that Common Sense Media recommends for ages 12 and up….  The members of the Younger family dream bigger than the small house where they live on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s. When their deceased father’s insurance money comes through, those dreams might actually become reality. Walter Lee wants to run his own business and earn financial independence, but his sister Beneatha dreams of attending medical school. Meanwhile, their mother Lena wants to move them all to a bigger home in a white neighborhood. What will finally allow the Youngers to move up in the world, and who will have their dreams deferred? National Players is honored to portray this award-winning drama with a universal story about an African American family dealing with prejudice, history, and a world where everything changes.

Family Bike Fest
Where: Alethia Tanner Park | NoMa, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Kid bikers, family bikers, and the bike-curious are welcome to this bike fest! Check out different rides, show off your own (bikes, trikes, unicycles, scooters…), and have fun zooming around paved areas. Beloved mobile bike mechanic Lauren @ Mittens will be providing free back-to-school safety checks and mini-tune-ups. And Kona Ice Truck will be there with freebies courtesy of Bunch Bikes.

Apple Gala & Cider Fest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $16/adult, $14/child
This time of year may mean back to school for many, but at Great Country it means back to the farm for freshly pressed cider and freshly picked apples. Celebrate the start of the apple picking and cider pressing season with tastings of Rinkers freshly pressed cider — touted as the best in the Valley — demos of the Zurschmeide Family’s antique 1865 Cider press, apple picking, donuts, and more. Of course, the farm’s five-acre play area will be open for fun and amusement, too!

Full STEAM Ahead
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10.95/age 1+
The National Children’s Museum just reopened,  with its array of STEAM-inspired exhibits that offer fun and interesting ways to engage, learn, and exercise creativity.  It’s geared toward kids up to age 12, and there are areas especially for littles. See their Covid precautions here, and  read more about the museum in this post written shortly after it opened back in early 2020. Tickets must be reserved in advance, and it’s likely to be very popular this first weekend!

Big Bounce America
Where: Rosecroft Raceway | Fort Washington, MD
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: $19-39
Boing!  Jump into the weekend as the world’s largest bounce house comes to the DC area.  Big Bounce America includes four massive inflatable attractions: A 13,000 sq. foot World’s Largest Bounce House; the newly added Sport Slam featuring a customized sports arena; the 900+ ft. long obstacle course named The Giant; and a unique, space-themed wonderland called airSPACE.  The massive touring inflatable event will run this weekend, September 3-6, and next, September 10–12.

Virginia Scottish Games
Where: The Plains, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $20/adults, $5/age 5-12, free/under 5
Celebrate Scottish heritage at this annual fair featuring everything from music and dance to sports and games to food and cars, even Scottish dogs. Much of it will be showcased through competition, but there is plenty that all visitors can partake in, too. Two-day adult passes are available for $30.

Labor Day Art Show
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday/Sunday/Monday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Glen Echo Park’s 50th Annual Labor Day Art Show runs all weekend. One of the largest art shows in the region, the exhibition features works by more than 200 artists from the mid-Atlantic. Browse and buy all kinds of art — sculpture, painting and drawing, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, and more. Plan to let kids go for a spin on the delightful Dentzel Carousel and bring along a picnic to enjoy in the designated area.

Rockville Arts Festival
Where: Rockville Town Square | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Throughout the weekend, VisArts will transform the streets surrounding Rockville Town Square into a vibrant outdoor gallery full of fine arts and crafts, live music, ceramics and plein air painting demonstrations, and artisanal foods. Festival goers can discover 140 master artists from 22 states who work in ceramics, drawings, fiber, glass, graphics, jewelry, metalwork, paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood, and mixed media.They’ll also be able to shop and dine at Rockville Town Square retailers and eateries.

How ‘Bout Them Apples?
Where: Orchards & farms around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The apple picking season has begun! Several farms in the area have opened their orchards for guests to start gathering. This round-up of area farms and orchards offering PYO opportunities has details. And I always recommend calling ahead to be sure the pickings are good the day you plan to go.

Labor Day Concert
Where: The REACH Plaza | Kennedy Center, DC
When: Sunday, 8pm
Admission: Free
The NSO’s annual Labor Day weekend concert returns, but to a different location. Instead of the West Lawn of the US Capitol, it will be at The REACH Plaza at the Kennedy Center. The concert will be conducted by Larry Loh with special guests NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds and saxophonist Charlie Young. This special concert features music from Duke Ellington, new Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, Jessie Montgomery, and Michael Abels. The performance is FREE to attend, no tickets required. Seating is first-come, first serve.

#OptOutside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Looks like it’s going to be a splendid weekend weather-wise, so take advantage and get outdoors — there are endless options around the DC-Metro for great al fresco adventures. Take a hike, explore a garden, visit animals, or see what else there is to do under the sun in this round-up with all kinds of ideas for outdoor fun. (But if you’re seeking fun indoors, get the Inside Info on where to go.)

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There’s a new round-up of live entertainment coming to the DC area this fall.
* In case you missed it earlier this week, local author JoAnn Hill shared new and fascinating stories about some very familiar sites!
* The giveaway for a chance to win a free lesson with the International School of Music is still running.
* Some of Emily’s recs for Back to Fall Shopping for Little Ones are selling out — proof of how good they are, so go check ’em out!
* This Labor Day Menu looks so yummy (and healthy).
* For those who like Everlane, there’s a good sale this weekend (that’s my referral link, btw).
* Clickbait is the most thrilling show I’ve watched in awhile…so good!
* 20 Organizations Fighting the Texas Abortion Ban. Also this. (Omg, how crazy is that website?!)
* Let’s end this round-up on a happy note, courtesy of Darcy. 🙂

 

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August 31, 2021 · 8:33 am

Five Things for Today: August 31, 2021

Savoring lake life at Deep Creek, a great destination for a getaway from DC

 

1. If you’re looking for ideas for last minute Labor Day Weekend getaways, here are some destinations convenient from DC to consider.

 

2. The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest bounce house, is coming to the DC area starting this Friday.  The massive touring inflatable event will run for two weekends, September 3-6 and September 10–12, at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD.

 

3. The 25 Best Sandwiches in the DC area, according to the Washington Post.  Do you agree? What’s your favorite local sammie?

 

4. How you can help hurricane Ida victims.

 

5. A timely and moving Humans of New York… and a reminder that there are many important people working in our kids’ schools.

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August 27, 2021 · 8:56 am

The Weekend Round-Up: August 27-29

An airmail plane at the National Postal Museum

 

Happy Weekend!

Bookmark-worthy links loaded with ideas for local activities:
* Indoor Outings
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Pick-Your-Own Ops
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Bike Rides
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Go Postal
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Friday – Tuesday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
They saved one of the best for last! The final Smithsonian to reopen, the National Postal Museum will once again welcome visitors starting this weekend. I’ve raved about the museum for years — as a locals’ secret that’s often overlooked by tourists and overshadowed by its counterparts on the Mall. It’s not humongous like many DC’s popular museums, so it’s easy to explore with younger kids, plus it’s full of interesting and interactive exhibits — some of them very large-scale — that appeal to all ages.  Along with being a fantastic museum, it also contains one of the most stunning spaces in DC! Read more about the Postal Museum in this KFDC post.

Ren Fest Returns!
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $21/adults, $18/seniors, free/15 & under
It’s time for merriment! And the Maryland Renaissance Festival is all about it. The fantastic trip back to medieval times is an event that has something all ages and sensibilities. Enjoy jousting matches, kids shows, comedy acts, tight rope walkers, jugglers, puppetry, Celtic music… and that’s just some of the live entertainment. There are also pony rides, a pirate ship playground, a giant slide, and some of the best people watching opportunities ever. Stroll among knights, maidens, pirates, and wizards in a 16th-century Tudor village as you chomp on turkey legs and down cups of mead. It all begins Saturday and will run every weekend through October 24. And this weekend only, kids ages 15 and under get in for FREE!

March On for Voting Rights
Where: Starts at McPherson Square, DC
When: Saturday, 8am
Admission: Free
On the 58th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic March on Washington, this mass mobilization in cities across the country demands that elected officials denounce voter suppression and ensure fair, easy access to the vote for all. The DC March kicks off from McPherson Square past Black Lives Matter Plaza, passing the White House and Washington Monument, ending on the National Mall. See website for schedule.

Seize the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Time is dwindling to enjoy some of the season’s best places and activities. Outdoor pools and spray parks, special museum programs and exhibits, music and movies in the open air, beach fun, mini golf and carousels rides, a good ol’ crab feast. Check out the Summer Guide to help you seize the season as it winds down.

Final Friday Night Fishing
Where: Diamond Teague Docks | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
It’s the last chance to join Anacostia Riverkeeper for their summer Friday fishing program. All essentials are provided: rods, reels, bait, and lessons for first time fishers. Staff are there to answer any questions and help with casting, tips, and tricks. All ages are welcome. Be sure to register and fill out a waiver if you plan to go. When you’re done, head to one ofthe many nearby eateries for a bite to eat.

Silent Disco
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Free
Dance the evening away at the C Street SE Plaza as EastBanc, a local real estate development, lifestyle, and technology company, hosts a silent disco. All are welcome to don some headphones and show off their moves!

Star Wars & Symphony Under the Stars
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission:
Catch a screening of Stars Wars: A New Hope at Wolf Trap’s lovely outdoor setting as the National Symphony Orchestra performs the soundtrack live. In the first of the original Star Wars trilogy, Luke, Leia, Han, and the rest of their rogue group mount an attack against the Death Star for a climactic battle with the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. See the website for Covid policies.

Women Shredding the Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free
This weekend’s Millennium Stage is an all-inclusive festival featuring women in action sports and music. Join as they carve out space in the unconventional arenas of jazz and skateboarding for a more equal future together. While you’re there, plan to visit Victura Park — the pop-up wine garden and cafe on the grounds of The REACH is a great place to hang out and enjoy a nice day. (Note: Victura Park is also open on Sunday.)

Beachy Keen
Where: Several destinations in Maryland
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
If it’s your family’s final weekend before the start of school, do something quintessentially summer and hit the beach! You don’t have to go all the way to the ocean — there is sand and surf (and shark tooth hunting, in some places) within day trip distance from DC. Head a bit past Annapolis to Sandy Point, go to one of several spots in Calvert County, or make fossil hunting your main focus at the Purse Area in Charles County. See the 2021 Guide to Summer in DC for details and links on all of these beaches.

Fossil Hunters
Where: Calvert and Charles Counties, MD
When: Ongoing
Admission: Varies by place
Mentioned above, there are several spots that are a day trip-distance drive away from DC, where you can search for shark teeth and other remnants from the Miocene and Paleocene eras. Play paleontologist and spend a day at one of them… I can assure you from a lot of experience it’s a fun and fascinating (those fossils are millions of years old!) activity. Beware that you might encounter crowds — this post is one of the most popular on KFDC if that’s any indication — so have a Plan B just in case.

Root for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Bowie, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $10
The Nats may not be in town, but you can still root for a home team.  The Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Erie SeaWolves all weekend, and there’s extra fun to enjoy — post-game fireworks, Hawaiian Luau  Night on Saturday, and Bark in the Park on Sunday.  Read about one of our past Baysox experiences here.

Opera in the Outfield
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 5pm
Admission: Free
How about opera where there’s usually baseball? After a three-year hiatus, Washington National Opera returns to Nationals Park with its 12th year of Opera in the Outfield. All are welcome to enjoy a free outdoor broadcast of Rossini’s charming romantic comedy Cinderella. Gates open at 5pm for lots of family-friendly activities, including photo ops, balloon twisters, story time, a magic show, and pre-show screening of Mo Willem’s very family-friendly Elephant & Piggie present SLOPERA!: A Bite-Sized Opera. The evening show on the hi-def scoreboard begins at 7pm. Get there early for a seat on the field, otherwise there will be plenty of seating in the stands. Be sure to visit the website for details on what is permitted at the ballpark.

Sunflower Festival
Where: Summer Farms | Frederick, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $17.50/age 3+
Escape to Summers Farm for their 2nd Annual Sunflower Festival and enjoy the beauty of the 8-acre field glowing with thousands of blooms! Over 35 different varieties and colors make for very Instaworthy photos. Walk through, pick your own, take stunning pictures, sip a local drink in their spacious tent, and relax at the farm.

Olney Outdoors
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am & 12pm
Admission: $12
Enjoy live entertainment especially for children on Olney Theatre’s outdoor Root Family Stage. On Saturday, see Stoopkid Stories, a compilation of fun and exciting stories that follow seven young Black characters, as they face a new adventure and overcome different obstacles (ages 5 & up). On Sunday, join a Disney Sing-along (ages 3 and up).

Fairytales in the Sun
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm | Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $20.50 (look for a discount)
Adventure Theatre is presenting live, in-person family entertainment again! Two one-act plays, The Flood in the Future by Lyra Yang and From Cinders to Ella by Michelle Lynch, will be performed outside in the grassy field next to ATMTC and the Irish Inn. Covid protocols will be followed. BYO blanket or chair.

Walks in the Woods
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
It’s always a good time to get out for a hike. Rambling along a trail  is great for some family bonding while enjoying active time outdoors. On a hot weekend, places with shade will be good to seek out. Some recs for that: Turkey Run Park in McLean, VA; Prince William Forest in Triangle, VA; Rock Creek Park in DC (note: post is about Peirce Mill, but includes info on a nice hike from there); Riverbend Park in Great Falls, VA; and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve in McLean, VA.

Are You Ready for Some Futbol?
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 8pm
Admission: Tickets start at $28
DC United is home again this weekend with a match against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.  Parking can be difficult, so consider public transport.  You can take Metro to the Navy Yard, have a pre-game bite to eat, then it’s an easy walk to the stadium.  El Bebe, The Salt Line, and All Purpose are very convenient and a few recs for family-friendly spots to eat there. Look for a deal on a Family Four-Pack of tickets.

Silver Spring End Of Summer Celebration
Where: Veterans Plaza | Silver Spring, MD
When: Sunday, 1-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the end of summer at this family-friendly arts & crafts event. Bring the whole crew to browse a variety of vendors, dance, shop, eat, and have fun. It’s the last outdoors hurrah of the summer at Veterans Plaza.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* All kinds of great recs for back to fall shopping for little ones.
* There’s a giveaway going on for a chance to win a free lesson with the International School of Music!
* The Lane Social Club is hosting a “back to school” morning celebration for parents (and young kids not in school) from 9am – 1pm on Monday, August 30, the first day of school for many DC kids.
* On The Daily earlier this week: Children and Covid: Your Questions, Answered.
* Anyone else watching Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu?
* 2021 Parenting Back to School Bingo

 

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August 25, 2021 · 11:21 am

Huzzah…Ren Fest is Returning with Merriment for All!

 

I usually hesitate to deem one particular place or activity “the best.”  It’s rare that you’ll see Top 10 lists here on KFDC; they feel misleading to me.  Even my round-up of the best outdoor places consists of more than 60 of them in random order.  That’s because “the best” is so personal, specific, and dependent on ages, interests, convenience to where one lives.  I have favorites, for sure, but calling something the best generally is a no-no for me.

Except for one thing: Ren Fest.

Anyone who has been reading my blog for awhile surely already knows that the Maryland Renaissance Festival is my very, very, VERY favorite annual event in the area.  We’ve been going since before we had kids, and bringing them since they were babes. There are a multitude of reasons why it’s my fave — you can go here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here for more on that — but ultimately I love that at the core, it’s a celebration of the unconventional, a kingdom of mirth, where fun and delight reign and offbeat is normal.  Ren Fest is the best.  It’s just fact — in my book, anyway.

After very sadly but understandably being cancelled last year, the Maryland Renaissance Festival returns in 2021 starting this weekend, August 28-29! And I oh-so-highly recommend going.  I pride myself on the number of people I have converted into Ren Festers — and I promise you want to be among them.

Logistics
The merriment begins this Saturday, August 28, and runs every weekend, rain or shine, through October 24 in the lovely 16th century-style hamlet of Revel Grove in Crownsville, MD. Hours are 10am – 7pm. Through September 12, admission is $21/adults, $19/seniors, $10/ages 7-15, free for ages 6 and under.  After that, ticket prices go up to $28/adults, $24/seniors, $13/ages 7-15, still free for 6 and under. Multi-day passes that offer a discount are also available. This year, tickets must be reserved in advance online. There are no day-of, in-person ticket sales.

Notable Dates
In previous years, many weekends had special themes, like a Celtic celebration and pirate weekend, with events and activities offered on just those dates.  While most aren’t happening this year due to Covid, there still are a few special weekends to be aware of:
* August 28-29: Children’s Weekend – FREE admission for ages 15 and under with adult
* September 6: Seniors day — Free admission for all seniors age 62+
* September 11 & October 10: ASL Interpretation Days – Selected stage shows will be interpreted in ASL

KFDC Tips
* Bring a stroller or carrier for little ones, as there is  a lot of walking. I recommend a stroller that navigates over rough terrain easily.
* Get a map and schedule on your way in to help you navigate and plan your day, but I recommend not overthinking it; Ren Fest is best experienced with a “go with the flow” mindset.
* If there’s a show you really want to see, get to the stage a few minutes ahead of time to get good seats, so the kids have a good view.
* You might encounter less crowds on Sunday, when many folks are watching football.
* Plan to spend on extras like food, games, and fun for kids — all reasonably priced, but it can add up.
* Tickets can sell out, especially on beautiful fall days as the chances to go dwindle. Between that and the new online sales only, you might want to reserve further in advance than usual.
* Consider pros and cons to going at different times: Early in the season, crowds are smaller because it’s usually very hot, and the admission fee is lower. Later in the season, the cool, crisp weather and autumn foliage adds some extra splendor to the visit, but also draws the masses.
* Let the kids dress up! Princesses, knights, fairies, and pirates will fit right in.

Maryland Renaissance Festival
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD ( get directions)
When: Weekends August 28 – October 24, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $21-28/adult, $19-24/senior, $10-13/age 7-15, free/6 & under

 

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August 20, 2021 · 9:43 am

The Weekend Round-Up: August 20-22

Roam the halls of the Hirshhorn again!

 

Happy Weekend!

Quick links for a great mix of ongoing fun:
* Indoor Outings
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Pick-Your-Own Ops
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Bike Rides
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Summer Fun
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Summer break is starting its wind-down as kids begin heading back to school on Monday (mine, anyway).  But plenty is still going on to enjoy the season… Spraygrounds, special exhibits, music and movies in the open air, beach fun, crab feasts, mini golf and carousels rides. The guide to Summer in DC has all the inspo you need to eke the most out of the season.

Awesome Con
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $45/adult, $20/child
The mid-Atlantic’s premier pop culture convention brings a three-day celebration of television, movies, comic books, science, technology and more to DC. With hundreds of hours of programming, an impressive lineup of special guests (including Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd this year!), and exciting activities for fans of all ages, this is one fun event. We’ve been and have had a blast checking out games, toys, comics, art, tv and movie memorabilia, and more. And the cosplay is fantastic. Costumes encouraged.

Fair Game
Where: Arlington, Montgomery, and PW Counties | VA & MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Arlington’s annual fest is underway, and Montgomery and Prince William counties host their final days. All are chock full of amusement for everyone, with carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more. This post has the whole scoop on all of the county fun.

Walk in Museum Circles Again
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
You can add another Smithsonian to your museum rotation this weekend: The Hirshhorn reopens it’s building (circle-shaped, hence the title) on Friday! Hours will be 10am – 5:30pm Wednesday – Sunday, and no timed-entry passes will be required.

Ice Cream-Making Demo
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek PArk, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Head to Peirce Mill to learn all about the frozen treat brought over from France by Dolley Madison. Watch the ice cream ingredients being poured into the dasher, help turn the crank, and learn about the brine that freezes the cream. A historic recipe by Thomas Jefferson adapted for modern kitchens will be available. You can also find a printable Peirce Mill scavenger hunt for families in English and Spanish. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post. (PS: The historic building has reopened, and there will also be milling demonstrations through October on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 11am – 2pm.)

New Hampshire Gardens Children’s Business Fair
Where: 7300 Glenside Drive | Takoma Park, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Join over a dozen young entrepreneurs at the first New Hampshire Gardens Children’s Business Fair! These business-minded kids, age 6 to 15, are selling soap, jewelry, dog treats, and baked goods, just to name a few. Head to the business fair to support them and snatch up some cool kid-made goods!

Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $12
At the final installment of Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, join Grammy-nominated Falu and her band on a musical journey through South Asia and around the globe, celebrating the instruments, languages, sights, and humanity of a diverse world. This take place in Wolf Trap’s delightful outdoor theatre surrounded by trees and nature. Recommended for ages 3-12.

Sunflower Festival
Where: Summer Farms |
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $17.50/age 3+
Escape to Summers Farm for their 2nd Annual Sunflower Festival and enjoy the beauty of the 8-acre field glowing with thousands of blooms! Over 35 different varieties and colors make for very Instaworthy photos. Walk through, pick your own, take stunning pictures, sip a local drink in their spacious tent, and relax at the farm.

Millennium Stage: Don’t Mute DC
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free
Go-Go is music amplifying the voices of marginalized and displaced Washingtonians, and Don’t Mute DC is a collective of activists fighting for the music, culture, and people. Join for performances, a movie screening and more this weekend. While you’re there, plan to visit Victura Park — the pop-up wine garden and cafe on the grounds of The REACH is a great place to hang out and enjoy a nice day. (Note: Victura Park is also open on Sunday.)

Puppy Painting
Where: Steadfast Supply | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $20
Discover your dog’s inner artist — or meet a potential fur baby! Steadfast Supply is partnering with Rural Dog Rescue and Fetching Life to bring the community an outdoor, socially distant puppy painting event. Dogs will be able to “paint” with peanut butter like Pablo Pupcasso. The rescue will be bringing adoptable dogs for participants to meet and fall in love with to the event. All proceeds will benefit Rural Dog Rescue. Participants will also receive a 10% in-store shopping discount to use in Steadfast Supply during the event.

Big Dig Potato Harvest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $10/child or $12/adult
The Big Dig is on for another weekend.  Head to Great Country for take a wagon ride out to the fields to dig up your own potato treasures. After digging, play all day in the five-acre play area, with attractions including Putt Putt golf, the Farm Ninja Warrior obstacle course, mazes, swings, slides, animals to visit, and feed, and so much more! PYO peaches will also be available this weekend.

Carpe Librum
Where: Canal Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Shop a mobile bookstore on Saturday.  Browse through thousands of books all under $6 in a safe, outdoor setting.  There’s something for everyone — children’s books, teen reads, brand-new bestsellers in amazing condition, classic vintage hardbacks, and more.  Look for it in the southern block of the park. While you’re there, plan for some play time for little ones at the gentle fountain (second block of the park) or head across the street to Yards Park for more water play.

Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Gallaudet University | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Admission: $10/advance, $12.50/day of
Bring the kids out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! Not only will you get to see exciting Frisbee action as local team DC Breeze takes on Raleigh Flyers, kids can join a free youth clinic (for ages 6-17) before the game at 5pm (FYI: they offer this at every home game.) And while your kids are learning Ultimate out on the field, you can enjoy food and drink specials and listen to a live band to get ready for the game.

Vamos United!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 5:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $28
DC United is home this weekend with a match against Atlanta on Saturday.  I recommend taking public transportation since parking can be difficult. Idea:  Take Metro to the Navy Yard and have a pre-game bite to eat then it’s an easy walk to the stadium.   El Bebe, The Salt Line, and All Purpose are very convenient and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there. Look for a deal on a Family Four-Pack of tickets.

We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do…
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: Tickets start at $37
The Washington Spirit, our local women’s pro soccer team, is also playing at Audi field this weekend, as they take on Orlando Pride. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting women in sports! Purchase tickets here. And see my recs for transportation/dining above.

Weekend Walk-In: Flower Crowns
Where: American Visionary Art Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $5
Join the museum for an in-person, drop-in, art workshop! In the spacious Tall Sculpture Love Barn, create a flower crown, in this hands-on program that complements the current show “The Secret Life of Earth.” Recommended for ages 7+, and supplies included while they last.  Read more about wonderful, wacky AVAM here. And find more ways to enjoy Baltimore, including food recs and ares to explore, here.

Yard Sign Giveaway
Where: Cleveland Park Market | Cleveland Park, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 1pm
Admission: Free
To encourage drivers to slow down on neighborhood streets, DDOT will hand out free yard signs to Ward 3 residents on Saturday. With messages such as, “Slowing Down Saves Lives,” and “Everyone Deserves Safer Streets,” the signs highlight the 20-mph default speed limit, which significantly reduces the risk of severe injury and death during a crash, particularly when one involves a pedestrian or cyclist. Cleveland Park Market is located on the 3400 block of Connecticut Avenue NW.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Where: Rhode Island Center | Logan Circle, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Tickets start at $34.90/adult, $19.90/child
Step into more than 300 of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings, and paintings for an intimate understanding of the Post-Impressionist genius and his work. Floor-to-ceiling digital projections, made possible by state-of-the-art video mapping technology, offer visitors a socially distanced, hands-free immersive art experience. All ages are welcome to explore this exhibition. Rhode Island Center is located at 524 Rhode Island Avenue NE.

Fashion + FUN
Where: Georgetown Park | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday, 5-9pm | Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 9pm
Admission: $28/adult, $19/age 4-15 (get a discount!)
Go “Inside the Wardrobe” at this new art installation/fashion funhouse in Georgetown. The 20,000 square foot space contains more than 20 exhibits/spaces, all them wildly creative, fashion-inspired, interactive, even kind of trippy.  You can try on paper doll cutouts, play with size in a fun house, get a close look at beautiful handiwork, take pics in whimsical and delightful settings, strut the catwalk, and much more. Read more about it and see some snaps from a visit there in this KFDC post!

Olney Outdoors: Paper Dreams
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am & 12pm
Admission: Free
Olney Theatre is presenting Theatre for Young Audiences outdoors this summer, and this weekend is “Paper Dreams,” one of Imagination Stage’s original shows for little ones. Best for ages 1-7, it will be at Olney Theatre’s outdoor Root Family Stage through August 15.  Purchase tickets in advance. If you are vaccinated, masks are encouraged but not required. Those who have not been vaccinated should follow CDC guidelines and wear a mask.

Fairytales in the Sun
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm | Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $20.50 (look for a discount)
Adventure Theatre is presenting live, in-person family entertainment again! Two one-act plays, The Flood in the Future by Lyra Yang and From Cinders to Ella by Michelle Lynch, will be performed outside in the grassy field next to ATMTC and the Irish Inn. Covid protocols will be followed. BYO blanket or chair.

UniverSoul Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Tickets: $27+ (look for a discount)
The world-class, live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families is celebrating its 28th year of FUN. UniverSoul connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world, embracing and celebrating the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities into a stellar production that blends circus arts, theater and music. A fresh, cool, and hip approach to live family entertainment!

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* In case you missed it, there a new post about The Wonder, new places spaces for children in the DC area.
* Alexandria Restaurant Week begins this weekend.
* Round of applause for Anthem, 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre, and Merriweather.
* The 50 most beautiful places in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveller. Do you agree?
* More ways to help Afghan refugees and support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.
* Hypocrisy highlighted.
* Priority items for Back to School shopping.
* Happy news this week… a new neighbor!

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