Birding, hiking, crafting, volunteering, and more! Discover these and other activities happening around Montgomery Parks this weekend:
Nature: Help Locust Grove Nature Center staff with a community science project during FeederWatch Fridays(opens in a new tab) this Friday, February 3, from 11 am to 12 pm. Dress for the weather and come count birds at feeders around the facility. Free program.
The Environmental Affairs Committee is planning a second Fix-It Fair on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Casey Community Center. Residents are invited to make an appointment to bring in personal items in need of repair, such as toasters, bicycles or jewelry. The repair will be performed for free. The “right to repair” and ability to fix material is crucial to transitioning away from a disposal society. Fixers are key to saving useful materials from landfills. The City is seeking volunteer “fixers” with experience in:
Volunteer fixers will be provided with basic information on each appointment up to two weeks in advance of the event. Fixers must provide the necessary equipment and tools for their area of expertise. The City will provide:
The City in partnership with The Peterson Companies & rio, will host the 21st St. Patrick’s Day Parade at rio, at Rio Boulevard & Grand Corner Avenue. Free parking is available in three garages along Washingtonian Boulevard. Dozens of units will march in the parade, including Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, clowns, fire trucks, equestrian units, service organizations, & more.
Community groups & other organizations are invited to march. It is a great way to be involved in the community & get your group noticed. Past participants have included Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, clowns, fire trucks, equestrian units, service organizations, & more.
Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, in partnership with WQER-LP 96.7 FM Radio and the Chinese Culture Institute will hold its annual Lantern Festival from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and Social Hall at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive.
The family-friendly event is free to attend and features cultural performances, displays and ethnic cuisine. For more information, contact Rockville Sister Cities Corporation at 240-314-5029 or [email protected], or visit RockvilleSisterCities.org.
Montgomery Parks is offering a diverse selection of educational and entertaining programs to celebrate Black History Month. “Montgomery Parks not only has an exciting lineup of events for Black History Month, we also have year-round offerings focused on African American history and culture,” said Shirl Spicer, cultural resources museums manager at Montgomery Parks. “We invite visitors to take advantage of these resources throughout the year, not just in February.”
Unshakable: The Rise of Newmantown at the Agricultural History Farm Park | Every Friday and Saturday in February | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855 The exhibit “Unshakable” explores the history of Albert and Mary Newman, freedmen who emigrated in 1862 from Virginia to Montgomery County, Md., and became landowning farmers despite unprecedented circumstances. Albert and Mary Newman, and their children, built a thriving African American kinship community known as “Newmantown,” located on the grounds of the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. The exhibit showcases photographs, documents, family mementos, local history, and rarely seen artifacts excavated from the site. Free.
Per MCPS: Hundreds packed the cafeteria at Clarksburg High School on Saturday Jan. 28 to learn about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl and resources to help our youth. Panelists including MCPS School System Medical Officer Dr. Patricia Kapunan, members of the Montgomery County Police Department, Department of Health and Human Services and more shared important information for families on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl, prevention tools, and protective factors for students and resources for treatment when needed.
Hundreds packed the cafeteria at Clarksburg High School on Saturday Jan. 28 to learn about the dangers of illegally made fentanyl and resources to help our youth. Panelists including MCPS School System Medical Officer Dr. Patricia Kapunan, members of the Montgomery County Police Department, Department of Health and Human Services and more shared important information for families on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl, prevention tools, and protective factors for students and resources for treatment when needed.
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has an engaging lineup of special events and programs in February, including birdwatching opportunities, the annual GreenScapes landscape design symposium, and special programs in celebration of Black History Month.
February events in Montgomery Parks include:
Rockville Town Square’s FIRST Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Rabbit. It takes place on January 29th from 1pm-3pm. This free family-friendly event will include local performances & vendors, “fun for ALL”, and Red Envelope giveaways. Performances include and free activities include:
Hammer & Stain ($) sign up in advance. Open Workshop 1pm. Family-Friendly Workshop 2pm.
The City of Rockville celebrates Lunar New Year by offering a free event, at Wootton High School on Saturday, January 28th from 10am-1pm, that celebrates Rockville’s Asian cultures with performances, to-go activities and snacks. Organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, the Lunar New Year celebration is a source of pride for the city’s Asian community and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture. Event program below:
Individuals with Disabilities: We encourage individuals with disabilities to register and participate in Rockville recreation programs. To adequately plan for a successful and rewarding experience, contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 240-314-8620. We ask that you inform us prior to the activity start date as ample time is needed to secure auxiliary services and aides.
The Montgomery Art Association (MAA) member exhibition has returned to the Benjamin Gaither Center (80 Bureau Dr A) in Gaithersburg through March 26, 2023. Meet the artists at a free reception on Tuesday, February 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The exhibit and reception are open to the public. Masks & social distancing are encouraged.
The Montgomery Art Association is a nonprofit organization supporting the visual arts and artists in Montgomery County and the D.C. metro area. It offers a number of opportunities for its 350 members to display & sell their work. The Association offers field trips, plein air painting outings, business workshops, art-themed social events & monthly meetings with noteworthy guest speakers.
Preparations are in full swing for the spring theater season throughout the school system at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run from February into May. From “Mean Girls” and “The Lightning Thief” to “Into the Woods” and “Mary Poppins,” there’s something for everyone. Grab your tickets and come on out! 2022-2023 Spring Theater Schedule below (courtesy of MCPS):