Tag Archives: Florida Marlins

Plan Ahead for These Special Events

Some events are worth clearing the calendar for weeks ahead of time.  A few annual favorites that merit advance planning are coming up in the next couple of months.  Tickets are on sale for all of them, and I’ve found a couple of discounts and special offers, to boot!

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
When:    March 24 – 27, various times
Where:  Verizon Center
Tickets:  $14 – $100 (read below for special offers)
The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to the Verizon Center for five days of circus thrills. Barnum 200 – Barnum’s Funundrum features 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids — a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it. This monumental, once in a lifetime event celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the legendary P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, and can only be experienced at The Greatest Show On Earth, Barnum’s living legacy. Goldstar currently has a half-price offer on select seats and dates.  You can also get a $5 promo code if you follow @RinglingTweets on Twitter.

NatsFest and Opening Day
When:    March 30, 4pm – NatsFest & March 31 – Opening Day
Where:   Nationals Park
Tickets:   NatsFest $10/adults, $5/children, packages also available (see below); Opening Day – starting at $20, but cheaper seats are going fast
Celebrate the start of the Nationals 2011 season on Wednesday, March 30, the afternoon before MLB Opening Day. The Third Annual NatsFest will be open to fans of all ages and will include opportunities to watch the Nationals practice, enjoy a meet-and-greet with players and coaches, and much more fun for fans, especially young ones. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.  You might also consider buying the NatsFest 3-Pack, which includes tickets to NatsFest and two other games.  And if you want to experience America’s pastime on Opening Day, tickets are still available for the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Florida Marlins.

Day Out with Thomas
When:    April 29 – May 1 & May 6-8
Where:   B&O Railroad Museum
Tickets:   $19
All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine™ is chugging into the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore for Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour 2011.  Thomas fans are invited to come spend the day with their favorite No. 1 engine and experience a day full of locomotive fun, including a ride on a full size Thomas the Tank Engine™, a meet and greet with Sir Topham Hat, storytelling, live music, and even more museum activities.

Guppy Gala
When:    May 13, 6 – 8:30pm
Where:   The National Zoo
Tickets:   $20 for FONZ members only
Note: This annual family-friendly event is now for FONZ members only!  Dive into an ocean of fun at Guppy Gala. Bring the whole gang for a night of tasty treats, silly songs, and fun. Plus, dinner provided by Subway. In addition to exciting animal encounters and yummy food, a variety of spectacular activities such as rock climbing, face painting and specially designed, kid-friendly obstacle courses are all free with the cost of your ticket.  You can also see the lion cubs at dusk — the entire pride will be on exhibit during Guppy Gala.



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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Deal, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Sports

Weekend Full of Family Fun

Sometimes there is too much good stuff happening on the weekend; no matter what you do, you’re missing out on something else.  But the optimist in me is okay with that. This weekend is one of those weekends–options for family fun abound.  I’ve already posted about a few things going on in the next few of days—the DCYO Petting Zoo, Kennedy Center Open House, Yards Park Grand Opening—and here are even more events and ideas for a great time with the kiddos.

Insect Mania!
If your kids like to get up close and personal with creepy crawly creatures, then check out Insect Mania! at the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone.  Saturday is the last chance to enjoy the program where guests learn about and hold all kinds of live and preserved bugs.  There will also be arts and crafts activities and insect story times through out the day.  And a little something for the parents:  Cirque du Soleil performers will also be there to help get families excited about insects and their new OVO show.  The free event  will  take place from 11am – 4pm.

Youth River Sports Day
How about some recreation on the river? On Sunday, the Anacostia Community Boathouse Association is hosting the 4th Annual Youth River Sports Day. Kids of all ages can learn the basics of rowing and paddling, then test out their skills in safe and stable boats on the Anacostia River (with experienced rowers, of course).  Through the event, the ACBA aims to promote river sports as a means of physical fitness for both kids and adults—parents can participate, too!   YRSD runs from 11am – 4pm.  Participants should expect to spend at least two hours and wear athletic clothing, sneakers, and socks.  The Anacostia Community Boathouse is located at 1900 M Street SE.

Black Family Reunion
The annual festival that celebrates African American families takes place this Saturday and Sunday on the National Mall from 11am – 5:30pm.  There will be live entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts, and an international marketplace.  Attendees can check out variety of themed pavilions, including one especially for kids where there will be story telling and other children’s activities. Visit the website for more details.

KidsFest
Lincoln Park will be the happening spot on Capitol Hill on Saturday when the Capitol City Church hosts a few hours of free fun for the family.  Festivities will include a bike decorating parade, face painting, tattoo parlor, honey bee hoedown, art activities, square dancing, a station to write a letter to the troops, capture the flag, three-legged race, dog treats, and live entertainment by Rocknoceros at 10am.  The event is B.Y.O.P (bring your own picnic) and runs from 10am – 1pm.  Lincoln Park is located on the East Capitol Street between 11th and 13th Streets.

Adams Morgan Day Festival
Head to 18th Street NW, between Columbia and Florida Avenues, on Sunday to celebrate one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.  The 32nd Annual Adams Morgan Day Festival will run from 12pm – 7pm, with a day full of music, dancing, art, and more.  Little ones will love the kids area, with a moon bounce, fire truck, rock climbing wall, Chalk4Peace, and kid games.  For more details and the schedule of performances, visit the festival website.

Maryland Renaissance Festival
Take a day trip back to medieval times at the annual faire in Crownesville, MD.  The Maryland Renaissance Festival runs every weekend through October 24 and offers plenty for everyone in the family to enjoy.  Read more about it here.

National Zoo
Cooler temps and the new Elephant Trails are perfect reasons to visit the National Zoo this weekend.  The elephants will be on view as they roam their new digs from 10am – 4pm.  To find out what else is happening at the zoo this weekend, check out their daily programs.

Nationals vs. Marlins
This could be your chance to see round two of the big brawl. (Oops, this is a family blog!)  This could be your chance to show the kids a wonderful display of good sportsmanship.  The Nats are hosting the Marlins this weekend, with games this evening, tomorrow night, and Sunday afternoon. Take advantage of the $1 Kids Day deal on Sunday and watch your babes run the bases after the game.  Purchase tickets through the Nationals website or at the Box Office on game day.

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, DC, Deal, Eats, Educational, Festival, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Sports, Weekend