Don’t miss Whalen Commons being transformed into a winter wonderland! Many of our traditional activities will return, including the lighting of our holiday tree, visits with Santa, musical performances, the Holiday Express Train, ice skating rink, Frozen moon bounce, artisan vendors, food trucks, the WUMCO Basket Auction, Gingerbread Cookie decorating (sponsored by PACC) and Polar Express wagon rides through town (sponsored by Calleva). Additional information below:
Whalen Commons:
The entire community is invited to join the City for its annual Veterans Day Observance on Friday, November 11, 2022, honoring & recognizing all U.S. military personnel who play an important role in safeguarding our nation and our future. The observance takes place at 11 a.m. at the Concert Pavilion.
The patriotic ceremony will include words and music to commemorate the occasion, followed by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. City officials & members of local veterans groups will be on hand to honor those who have served in all branches of the military. The ceremony will begin with a Presentation of Colors. Junior Mayor Loriele Nix will lead the Pledge of Allegiance & 2020 Young Artist Award winner Chloe Jackson will sing the National Anthem. The Gaithersburg High School Jazz Ensemble will perform patriotic music & Gaithersburg High School Band member Marli Banner will play “Taps.” A reception with refreshments will immediately follow the ceremony in the City Hall Gallery.
With Western states running out of water, could it happen here? “Drinking Water in the DC Area: Past, Present and Future” will be the focus of a Montgomery History online presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Michael Nardolilli, the executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), will trace the history of providing drinking water to the Washington, D.C. area. His presentation will address the current system and look at the future.
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) is presenting the social justice projection art initiative raising awareness of three African American men who fell victim to racial terror lynchings in Montgomery County in the 1880s. Those victims were John Diggs-Dorsey, George Peck and Sidney Randolph. The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.
An opening reception for the Certain Party or Parties Unknown gallery exhibition will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Visitors will experience the new indoor exhibition and an original outdoor installation projected onto the face of the Silver Spring Civic Building throughout the evening by award-winning editor, video journalist and multimedia artist Robin Bell. Tickets can be reserved at https://cppugalleryexhibition.eventbrite.com.
WHEATON, Md. — Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces events in celebration of Maryland’s Emancipation Day, including activities at our sister agency, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County. Most events are free.
Maryland Emancipation Day commemorates November 1, 1864, a pivotal day in Maryland’s history when a new state constitution freed all persons held in bondage within its borders.
Get the kids into their costumes and ride our Halloween Eye Spy Trains(opens in a new tab) at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel on Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, from 11 am to 6 pm. Search for characters during your ride and keep track of them on your Eye Spy Train card. Buy online or onsite for the last train rides of the season.
Kids can ice skate while in costume during Not So Spooky Skate(opens in a new tab). Trick or treat at the rinks, participate in a costume contest, and make Halloween crafts. Not So Spooky Skate is Friday, October 28, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at Cabin John Ice Rink; and Friday, October 28, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Wheaton Ice Arena. Please sign up online.
Monster Bash returns to Takoma Park on Saturday, October 29. The event begins at 1pm in the Takoma Park Middle School Parking Lot (7611 Piney Branch Rd) with a “Trunk or Treat” and magic show. A costume contest and parade will begin at 2pm that travels to the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave). Full details below courtesy of takomapark.gov:
The City of Takoma Park Recreation Department will host our traditional Monster Bash on Saturday, October 29!
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has an engaging lineup of special events and programs in November, including Maryland Emancipation Day, Drag Queen Story Hour, free Veteran’s Day skates and the opening of the annual winter favorite, Garden of Lights, at Brookside Gardens.
November events in Montgomery Parks include:
This Saturday, October 29, the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Kensington are once again hosting their annual Halloween Movie Night. “Hotel Transylvania” will be shown at dusk in St. Paul Park on the big screen. Costumes are encouraged for all attendees.
The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Kensington will have refreshments available for purchase in the Park, including pizza, popcorn, and candy.
“Harry Potter- A Forbidden Experience”, a nighttime woodland trail experience filled with magical creatures and wizarding wonders from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, is coming later this month, October 29th, to Leesburg, VA (Morven Park, 41580 Sunday Morning Lane). The walking trail takes approximately 45-70 minutes, while the experience itself takes about 60-90 minutes for all ages, with tickets ranging from $25-$75 depending on age and session date/time.
“Explore after dark the sounds, lights, and special effects that bring the magic of the Wizarding World to life. Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide range of delicious food and drinks at the village! Set in a beautiful woodland, this nighttime trail experience has been created by award-winning theatrical designers and experiential creators.”
A STEAM Festival Showcase will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Northwood High School (919 University Blvd., West). MCPS and educational partners will showcase opportunities for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) with hands-on activities and demonstrations. This event is free and open to all MCPS families and students of all ages.
The keynote speaker is Tina C. Williams-Koroma, the founder and CEO of TCecure, a cybersecurity and intelligence company providing security architecture, engineering, assessment, training, and consulting services to businesses. She is also the founder of CyDeploy, a technology company that helps organizations confidently make security changes to their systems and better protect its assets. Williams-Koroma is a Maryland attorney who also holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s in management. She will speak at 11 a.m.