This Weekend Round-Up coming to you from Vacationland…
A little vacation time doesn’t get in the way of keeping you abreast of DC fun. Here’s what’s happening back home this weekend, and the Everyday Page is always a good browse for more ongoing pursuits. Happy Weekend!
Fair Play
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races. Yes, it’s county fair season, and you have your pick of several going on right now – the Howard County Fair, Arlington County Fair, Montgomery County Fair, and Prince George’s County Fair are all on this weekend (whew!). This post has the scoop on all of the county fun.
Barnyard Bash
Where: Ticonderoga Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $10.95
In the last month before school starts, Ticonderoga is planning a special family get-together on the farm for some great outdoor fun!! They’ll have sack races, bean bag tosses, water balloons, a football toss, sprinklers, cotton candy, and sno cones along with all the other amazing attractions – slides, giant jumping pillow, animals, and more — they have to offer!
Capital Wheelin’
Where: National Harbor
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15/adults, $11.25/ages 3-12, free for 2 and under
The Capital Wheel is the new big thing at National Harbor. Go for a spin way up high and take in DC’s iconic views. This very recent post written by my friend, Torey, has all the details of what to expect on whirl around the grand attraction. And there’s plenty more to do at the Harbor after a ride around.
Beach Party Family Festival
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy steel drum music from local DC band Oasis Island sounds and learn to hula with Kinikia from DC Hippodrome. There will be sand, shells, and sports for various summer crafts and games.
Violins for Douglass
Where: THEARC
When: Saturday, 1:30-4
Admission: Free
Join the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association in partnernship with the Coaltion of African Americans in the Performing Arts and the Price George’s County Philharmonic Kid’s Program for an afternoon honoring the Frederick. Activities will include a musical petting zoo and special workshops for children of all ages, performances by young musicians, and a chance to meet Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr. a 1964 Freedom Rider. Adults must accompany children. Light refreshments will be served.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* This weekend is your last chance to be hugely entertained by The BFG at Imagination Stage
* It’s also the final performances of Mouse on the Move, also at Imagination Stage
* Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs is on the Main Stage at The Puppet Co.
* Bright Star Theatre’s The Ugly Duckling is this week’s free Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Enjoy Disney’s the Lion King at the Kennedy Center
* Catch a colorful show as Pinkalicious is on stage at Adventure Theatre
* See the Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players amid the trees at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Summer Fun
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Summer is whizzing by, so take advantage of the season while you can with activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of many series in the area. Stay cool under the sun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Find details on all these summer pursuits in the Summer 2014 guide.
Big Fun at the Big Maze
Where: National Building Museum
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/adult, $5/age 3-11 members; $16/adult, $13/age 3-11 non-members
You only have a few more weeks to experience this super cool installation at one of our favorite museums. It looms up to 18 feet high in the Great Hall and measures 60 feet by 60 feet. Within there are twists and turns and dead ends, all formed by finely constructed walls of maple plywood at varying heights. Navigating it is a blast, especially for the kids, and viewed from upper levels, it’s like a work of art. Read more about it and get a glimpse here.
Getting to Know Degas and Cassatt
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday, 11am & Sunday, 1pm
Admission: Free
During this session of the National Gallery of Art’s Children’s Film Program, join them for two animated films about Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt based on Mike Venezia’s Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists books. Learn about the life and work of the two artists who were friends and collaborators in later 19th-century Paris. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Circus Extravaganza
Where: Trapeze School New York – DC
When: Saturday, 8:30pm
Admission: $25/adult, $15/child
Trapeze School New York – Washington DC is proud to host an amazing fundraising event to benefit Clowns Without Borders, a troupe of professional performers who volunteer their time, traveling around the world where invited, bringing shows, workshops, smiles, and laughter to children living in zones of crisis around the world. The evening of entertainment will feature incredible acts — double and triple trapeze, silks, lyra, acrobatics and flying trapeze! The clowns will keep you rolling with their antics, and other activities include a photo booth, face painting, balloon twisting, a juggling station, plus delicious food from Nando’s PERi-PERi. Most recently, the clowns traveled to Lebanon to perform a two-week tour for Syrian refugees. Get your tickets today for the family-friendly show!
Ice Cream at George’s Place
Where: Mount Vernon Estate
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: $17/adults, $8/ages 6-11, free for 5 and under
Get a glimpse of culinary life in the 18th century through ice cream making demos every Saturday in August at Mount Vernon. Visitors can watch as costumed staff make one of George Washington’s favorite desserts using reproduction period equipment to emulate ice cream-making process of the olden times.
Fest Africa
Where: Silver Spring Civic Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-8pm
Admission: Free
The 12th Annual African Cultural Festival ‘FestAfrica 2014′, hosted by Afropolitan Youth Association, has grown to become DMV’s largest African Festival with over 8,000 expected attendees. The festival will feature music by local and international African Artists and dance performances, African cuisine, vendors, games for children, a health fair, a career fair, a tourism fair, and more. Bring a lawn chair or stand and enjoy great performances!
Dog Days on the Farm
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
The annual Dog Days Peach Festival is an adventure for dogs and their people with something for every member of the family. Canine guests can run an impressive agility course set up by Sit Stay Training and have their professionals provide tips for working with your dog. Or polish up your dog’s best trick and join the Doggie Olympic Games to go for the gold. Kids and pets can explore the farm style attractions before boarding the wagon ride out to the peach orchards to pick your own. All canine companions are asked to bring their owners on a leash and sport their finest rabies certification tag or have proof with them.
Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week
Where: nZone Sports Center, Chantilly
When: Saturday, 2:30-6pm
Admission: Free
Join the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and local sponsors for a free family event in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week! In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal For Life,” have fun with soccer workshops and obstacle courses for young children. Enter a free raffle for loads of goodies from community partners. Breastfeeding counselors will be on hand to answer questions and help you plan your breastfeeding success
Wild West Weekend
Where: Elkins & Durbin, WV
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $25/adults, $32/seniors, $25/ages 4-11, free for 3 and under
All aboard for a great adventure for the young ones and adults! Take this last opportunity with Mountain Rail Adventures in West Virginia before school to ride steam driven Old #3 train in Durbin with a cast of Western characters who take over the weekend. This new Wild West Weekend will prove to be the highlight of your summer.
Learn the Ropes
Where: Terrapin Adventures
When: Sunday
Admission: Free
Zip, climb, and traverse your way to fun as Terrapin Adventures celebrates its new Kids Course Grand Opening! The ropes course is built just for ages 5-9, and on Sunday, admission to it is free! Packages are available so Mom and Dad can climb the tower right next door and still be in sight of their children. Older siblings can always tackle the adult zipline, ropes course, giant swing or climbing tower. The whole family comes away happy and knowing they accomplished something good for their body and soul.