Montgomery Parks April Special Events and Programs

Montgomery Parks has released its schedule of events and programs that will take place in April.

Per the news release: Archaeology tours, “Acoustics and Ales and Tails” and Sunday serenades are among the many special events that will be presented by Montgomery Parks in April.  The schedule of programs also will include tours at Kingsley Schoolhouse and Oakley Cabin. a plant sale and several offerings for people ages 55-and-over.

The April schedule of special events will include:

• Shine Brighter Together. Saturday, April 6 (Rain date: April 13). 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. Participate in hands-on, sensory-friendly activities while learning more about autism and the variety of resources available in Montgomery County. An Autism Acceptance Month event. Free.
• Archaeology Tour. Saturdays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27. 11-11:30 a.m. Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Learn about the features and artifacts that inform our understanding of the Rev. Josiah Henson’s life at Riley Plantation. Ages 6 and older. Tickets available at the front desk on the day of the tour. $3 per person (fee does not include museum admission).
• Acoustics and Ales and Tails. Saturday, April 6. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Elm Street Urban Park, 4600 Elm Street, Bethesda. Socialization for humans and their furry, four-legged companions. Food and drink for all is available for purchase (*beer for humanoids only). Petey and Furends rescue organization will be on-site with adoptable pets. The Vinyl Tap duo will provide musical accompaniment for the afternoon. Free.
• Sunday Serenade. Sundays April 7, 14, 21, and 28. 10-11:30 a.m. Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. The amphitheater will host a different live music performance each Sunday. Bring seating or a blanket. Pastries will be available for purchase. Eric Scott Band (April 7. R&B/Funk); Zachary Smith and the Mardi Gras Kings (April 14. Louisiana/New Orleans styles); Geno Marriott (April 21. Smooth Jazz); ZADIA and Jeremiah Miles (April 28, Neo-Soul). Free.
• Eco Board Games: Teen Edition. Wednesday, April 10. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. School is out for the day so spend the morning playing fun board games about the natural world. Practice cooperation, strategy and critical thinking skills and explore a variety of science topics. Ages 11-16. Registration required. $20.
• DC Environmental Film Festival. Wednesday, April 10. 7-8:45 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Brookside Gardens and the DC Environmental Film Festival present screenings of the environmental-justice themed documentary films, “Troubled Tributary: Maryland’s Patuxent River,” and “Upstream, Downriver.” Panel discussion with experts will follow screenings. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free.
• History Hour. Thursday, April 18. 6-7 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Cassandra Michaud, Montgomery Parks archaeologist and lead archaeologist of the excavations at Josiah Henson Park, will present for Maryland Archaeology Month. Refreshments provided. Arrive early (doors open at 5 p.m.) and take a self-guided tour of the museum. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. $5 per person.
• Brookside Gardens Plant Sale. Saturday, April 20. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Choose from a wide selection of plants, including native varieties of perennials, shrubs and small trees grown at Montgomery Parks’ Pope Farm Nursery. Also get advice from staff horticulturists for the best plants for your garden.
• Electric Landscape Equipment Exhibit. Saturday, April 20. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Learn the latest in eco-friendly landscaping tools, including electric mowers, trimmers, and blowers and Montgomery Parks’ efforts to replace gas-powered equipment with electric. Engage with Brookside Gardens’ staff during hands-on demonstrations. All ages. Free.
• The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek: Spring Open House. Sunday, April 21. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 14500-A Clopper Road, Boyds. Nestled on 26 acres of wooded parkland, The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek is ideal for special events of all occasions. Meet with venue staff and professional area vendors including caterers, event planners and designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, DJ’s and more. No registration required (guests may RSVP using the form on the event page). Free.

Programs for residents 55-and over:

• Hike to Parks Unknown Beginner and Intermediate: Seniors. Fridays, April 12 and 26. 1-2:30 p.m. Ray’s Meadow Local Park, 2901 East-West Highway, Chevy Chase. Rachel Carson Conservation Park, 22201 Zion Road, Olney. Registration required. $10 per person.
• Strong & Fit (55+). April 16-May 21. 10-11 a.m. Dewey Local Park, 11720 Dewey Road, Wheaton. Registration required. Free.
• 55+ Nature Book Club: Book Review. Tuesday, April 16. 6:30-7 p.m. Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park (Activity Building), 500 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring. Register to become a member. Free.
• Socials for 55+: Cosmic Connections Stargazing. Tuesday, April 23. 7:30-9 p.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Registration required. $4 per person.

Attractions opening for the season in April include:

• Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park. Open weekends.
• Kingsley Schoolhouse Tours. First Sunday of the month. April 7-October. 1-4 p.m. Little Bennett Regional Park, 24472 Clarksburg Road, Clarksburg. Free.
• Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park: Guided Tours and Open House. Second and fourth Saturdays of the month. April 13-October. Noon-4 p.m. 3610 Brookeville Road, Olney. Free.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide