Five Things To Do This Weekend in Montgomery County

Below are five things to do in Montgomery County, MD the weekend of October 13-15, 2023:
1. Wheaton TGIF Encore Free Friday Fall Concert feat. Verny Varela
Friday, October 13: 5pm 
Marian Fryer Town Plaza, Wheaton

“The salsa of Verny Varela will headline the closing concert of the Wheaton TGIF Friday Encore fall series and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will lead tributes to Latin leaders and employees on Friday, Oct. 13. The performance is part of a month of concerts that join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month The final event in the series, “Que Bonita Bandera,” invites community members to wear the colors representing the diversity of the County. Marian Fryer Town Plaza is adjacent to the Wheaton Metro Station. The TGIF party will begin on the plaza at 5 p.m. with a special set by El Zol Radio. Verny Varela will play at 6 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.

Verny Varela is an arranger, composer, singer and flutist who born in Cali, Colombia, and raised in the “Barrio Obrero,” Verny started singing and playing with his father’s band, El Nuevo Son. In 1996, he sang with Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez and the Fania All Stars, in Cali and in Tulua. In 1997, Verny became the lead singer in the Gabino Pampini Band, and later toured Europe and the U.S. with Tito Gomez.”

2. 60th Annual Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show
Saturday, October 14: 11am-3:30pm
Glenview Mansion, Rockville

“The free Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show, which annually is one of the largest car shows on the East Coast, will again feature hundreds of vehicles displayed from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on the lawn of Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park. This year’s show is expected to have vehicles from 31 car clubs and will have a special display featuring 75 years of Lotus. Rockville Civic Center Park is located at 603 Edmonston Dr. in Rockville. The Rockville show was first held in the 1950s. The Mayor and Council Award will be presented at 2:45 p.m.

The special display of Lotus is expected to have at least 20 vehicles with the ACBC founder’s initials. Models expected will include a Seven and a Type Nine. There also will be displays of Elite, Elan, Europa, Eclat, Esprit, Elise, Exige and Evora. The cars will represent Lotus models from the 1950s to the 2020s. The special display will be located at the front of the show field, near the stage. In addition to the vehicles on display, with owners nearby to provide details and histories, the show will have a flea market and a car sales area. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Visitors can bring their own food to the show area. Music will be provided by Blue Sky Five.

Each year, the Mayor and Council of Rockville select one vehicle to receive the Mayor and Council Award. The 2022 recipient was a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible owned by Bob Ridolfi.The show traditionally is held rain or shine. The City of Rockville is monitoring the weather for Saturday. Check www.rockville.gov/rockvillecarshow or www.facebook.com/rockvillecarshow for possible cancellation information.

3. The Great Pumpkin Race/Fall Festival
Saturday, October 14: 11am-2:30pm
North Creek Community Center, Montgomery Village

Montgomery Village’s Fall Festival will take place this Saturday at North Creek Community Center (20125 Arrowhead Road). The event will feature food trucks, games, a petting zoo, and the annual Great Pumpkin Race. The Great Pumpkin Race is a “unique side-by-side, single-elimination race featuring handcrafted, decorated pumpkin race cars, in a madcap, dramatic explosion of creative ingenuity. The referee rules the race, building excitement as registered pumpkin race car owners compete for the Pumpkin Race Championship Trophy.”

“Add wheels to your custom-decorated pumpkin and face off against friends, neighbors or family in single elimination race heats. Pumpkin racers may collide, veer off course or have the perfect run—whoever crosses the finish line first moves on! The Pumpkin Races cap off the fall festival events, including live music, great food, and plenty of children’s activities during this family-centered day.”

4. Taste of Rio 
Sunday, October 15: 2-6pm
Rio Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg

“Who’s ready to savor, sip and celebrate 🎉🍔 Join us THIS Sunday, October 15 for Rio’s first annual Taste of rio, a foodie extravaganza from 2 – 6 pm, with The MoCoShow’s own Mr. MoCo emceeing part of the event. “Indulge in yummy bites from your favorite rio restaurants, groove to live music, and sip on craft cocktails by the lakeside—it’s a feast you won’t want to miss!” Participating merchants: Auntie Anne’s/ Cinnabon, Bach to Rock, Burgerfi, California Pizza Kitchen, Charley Prime Foods, Donutchew, Fantasticks, Finewine.com, Gaithersburg Marriott, Kung Fu Tea, Miss Toya’s, Nandos Peri Peri, Relive, Health, Silver Diner, Sportrock Climbing Centers, and Yard House
Additional information at https://www.riolakefront.com/events/taste-of-rio-2023/

5. Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival
Sunday, October 15: 10am-5pm
Marian Fryer Town Plaza, Wheaton

“The Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, a showcase of creative marching art preceding a day of food, fun and entertainment, will return to Downtown Wheaton on Sunday, Oct. 15. The parade annually features exhibits that can be pushed, pulled, carried, worn or performed—but none that is powered by motors of any kind. The parade, which starts at 10 a.m., traditionally has bands, dance groups, artists and large floats that march around the Wheaton Triangle Business District and finish at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza at 2424 Reedie Dr. in Wheaton. Entries in the parade can be organized by groups of all kinds, and in some cases, by individuals.

The festival area will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It will have more than 40 booths of exhibits, including those of artists displaying and selling their original work, community organizations and Montgomery County agencies. Activities will include art making and giveaways. Free art fun in the Kids’ Zone will have face painting and balloon art. Click here to see the exhibitors. Starting at noon, the festival will have three stages of entertainment including Strathmore artists, dance companies and bands. Oct. 15 will be last day of the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, so festival will include considerable Latin music and dance. It also will feature outstanding Irish music, hip hop and good old rock and roll. Click here to see the performers.”

For more information about the Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival, go to Parade & Festival | Wheaton Arts Parade.