The birthday boy with some of his biggest (and littlest) fans
There are a couple of things I feel compelled to note as I post this: 1) Despite the photo accompanying this round-up of weekend events, there is no Nats game (nor will there be another one until the 2012 season) and 2) Despite there being a bunch of cool activities for families happening over the next few days, I won’t be partaking in any of them.
See, this weekend I’m celebrating a milestone, and it’s not one of my kids who’s hitting it. That cute guy in middle of the photo (no, not the one with the beard, the one with the red hat), my awesome husband, is turning 40, so this weekend is all about him. The kids will be on a sleepover while we whoop it up with friends, until they join us for a family celebration on Sunday.
Now you’re probably wondering, why broadcast all this on a blog about things to do with kids? (Because it’s my blog, and I can do what I want!) Because “40″ deserves a shout-out, even on a blog about things to do with kids. And because parenting — and life, for that matter — wouldn’t be nearly as fun if I wasn’t sharing the adventure with him.
And with that, here’s where the family fun is happening over the next few days. Happy Weekend! (And a very, very happy birthday to you, Levi.)
Taste of Bethesda – I’ve heard many a time that Bethesda has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S. True or not, the city definitely has a food scene worth celebrating, and that’s just what will be happening this Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Bethesda’s famous food and music festival, in its 22nd year, will bring 60 restaurants and five stages of entertainment to Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Aong with delicious food samples and live entertainment, there will be a kid’s corner for face painting, arts & crafts, and more fun for young ones. Admission is free, and taste tickets are sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets. Ticket sales end at 3:30pm.
Columbia Heights Fall Festival – If you were disappointed when the Columbia Heights Day Festival was cancelled by the hurricane, you can make up for it on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. The Columbia Heights Youth Club, Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, The District Church, DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Columbia Heights Day Initiative welcome the public for a fun day of free food, face painting, moon bouncing, candied apples, snow cones, popcorn, live music, games, and more.
Fall for Fairfax KidsFest – This annual event by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. 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 Wells Fargo KidZone with more than a dozen rides, bounces, and attractions. And that’s just for the kids. Adults can enjoy more than 75 exhibits, activities, and great festival food. While admission is free, some rides and concessions will require a fee. This all takes place on Saturday from 9am -6pm.
Saturday Morning at the National – The awesome free weekend program at the DC theatre begins this Saturday with a Reptile World show. Exotic creatures star in this amazing presentation. Michael Shwedick and his beguiling animal friends teach kids some thrilling and invaluable lessons about the ecology and themselves. Adults will be awed by Michael’s ability to present alligators, snakes, and other sometimes-scary reptiles without frightening even the youngest children. Performances take place at 9:30am and 11am, and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are distributed half an hour prior to the start of shows on a first-come first-served basis. Only one ticket per person, and all attendees must be standing in line to receive a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult who remains present for the entire performance. Seating is limited, so get there early!
Show Time – Yo Gabba Gabba Live, Beatrix Potter tales in puppet form, the Big Apple Circus, Lilly’s Plastic Purse, Alladin’s Luck, and Snow White are all on local stages this weekend. This post about live entertainment this season has details on all of them.
Art on the Avenue – Celebrate the diversity of Alexandria’s Del Ray community at this multicultural arts festival on Saturday from 10am -6pm. Over 300 artists – jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors, fabric artists, and musicians – will have their work on display and for sale. And kids activities have always been a vital part of the festival – scarecrow stuffing, pumpkin painting, lotus flower design, screen art weaving are just some of the crafts to enjoy. Food vendors will also be there offering hot dogs, BBQ, Indian fare, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on a stick, and home made cider donuts.
Kinderfest – Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD, is hosting the 31st Annual Kinderfest, a day focused on children that takes place every year on the first Sunday in October. This Sunday from 12 – 5pm, there will be loads of events and activities to entertain the whole family: clowns and costumed characters, singers and dancers, pony and hay rides, carnival games, scarecrow workshops, sweet and savory refreshments, and spins on the famous Watkins carousel and miniature train. Admission to the event is free, but some activities require a fee. Visit the website for more info and directions and check out this post from last year for more on Watkins Regional Park.
Brazil Day at Yards Park – Join the Amazonia Harvest Foundation and the Brazilian Consulate of Washington DC as they celebrate the Brazilian community and culture in Washington, DC. The festival boasts an empowering mission to bring forth the best the Brazilian community of Greater-Washington has to offer and shine a spotlight on talented Brazilian performers, vendors, exhibitors and organizations that call the DC region home. Enjoy the extravaganza at the Yards Park on Sunday from 10am – 6pm. Admission is free.
Frederick’s Oktoberfest – This event rich in tradition and history offers fun for the entire family with dancing live music, children’s events, bratwurst, Oktoberfest bier, German wines, and much more. Especially for kids: face painting, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, musical entertainment, and they claim they have a few more tricks up their sleeves just to keep everyone surprised. (See a schedule of kids activities here.) This all benefits Frederick County charities. It’s happening on Saturday 10am -6pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm.
Thank you, NPG, thank you very much – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday from 1-4pm and Sunday from 2-5pm, to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about Elvis Presley
Ren Fest – The merriment continues in Crownesville, MD. On weekends through October 23, you can time trip at the charming medieval village that hosts the annual faire. For details on admission and what you will find there, check out this post about the event.
And for tried and true kids’ activities, rain and shine, these two posts have tons of ideas:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
