Weekend Picks and Labor Day

Phew– I survived my first full week with my oldest being in full-time PreK….barely. How’d everyone else do?

Labor Day is the official end to summer but that doesn’t mean the fun in the City stops. Refer to our Summer Guide for places to cool off at this weekend.

The Kennedy Center kicks off a fun exhibit today; Skateboarding, Music and Media and runs through Sept. 13. The boys in my house will definitely want to check this out, maybe we will head there when they host an Open Skate Session! There will be art and movie screenings as well as opportunities to watch skaters and even participate.

The Nationals play all weekend in town! Friday and Saturday are evening games, do I hear a date night opportunity?! Sunday and Monday are afternoon games, perfect to take the family.

Saturday-

10:00am-7:00pm: Maryland Renaissance Festival will be the weekends of August 29-October 25. The festival kicked off last weekend! The festival is free to children 11 and under this weekend. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come participate!

10:00am-10:00pm: 2015 National Book Fair at The Washington Convention Center
Featuring more than 170 authors, poets, illustrators and special presenters. Check the schedule so you don’t miss some amazing children’s authors. Many family friendly events including lots of story telling.

12:00pm-7:30pm: D.C. Blues Festival
(16th St and Colorado Aev NW)
Pack a picnic or grab a seat in the outdoor ampitheatre. Enjoy listening to the bands and learning about instruments.

Sunday-
3:00pm-11:00pm: Capitol Concert
(US Capitol West Lawn)
The National Symphony Orchestra performs a free Labor Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol each year, the Sunday before Labor Day. The annual concert, produced by the Kennedy Center, celebrates the beginning of the performing arts season featuring Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and musical selections made by composer, vocalist and pianist Tony DeSare. In addition to patriotic classics, the Labor Day Concert will include music that highlights the American landscape, from Stephen Flaherty’s American River Suite to the little town of Mudville in Casey at the Bat, narrated by Michael John Casey. Dress rehearsal is 3:30pm-6pm and the concert is at 8pm.

Monday-
10:00am: The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java
(227 Maple E, Vienna, VA. 22180)
The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical entertainer, performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh! Experience the excitement of the children when they get to learn a magic trick at the end of show! For over 12 years, The Great Zucchini has been entertaining young children as a magician and preschool teacher. He performs his hands-on, interactive magic shows to more that 250 groups a year. His experience, coupled with his gentle nature and wacky facial expressions, makes kids immediately feel comfortable and ready to laugh.

1:30pm & 2:30pm: Marsha Goodman-Wood & the Positrons Show with beatboxer & beat maker Max Bent at Port Discovery Children’s Museum

(35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202)
Greatest children’s museum, 45 mins from DC– worth the trip. Especially with Marsha performing at a free show (included with admission).

Parade Guide-
Kensington, Maryland 47th Annual Parade and Festival

Old Towne Gaithersburg Parade

Greenbelt Parade and Festival

Herndon Labor Day Festival