Rockville Hometown Holidays Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 2-10pm: Kids’ activities, Taste of Rockville Yummies and over 30 bands just doing their thing, dog. (So sorry, my husband made me watch American Idol with him again this season. Who still watches that?) Look for the Purple Zone for the family activities. Saturday has the Bach 2 Rock kids on stage from 2-3:30pm, Milkshake from 4:30-5:30pm, and Adventure Theatre-MTC is performing from 6-6:45pm. 20 restaurants sell their goodies for just $1.25 a serving in the Taste of Rockville section — a fun way to buy the family dinner.

Rockville Memorial Day Parade Monday May 27 10:30am: My family and I love this annual parade, with marching bands, military units, fire trucks, athletes, dance groups, cultural organizations, clubs and electeds throwing candy from convertibles. The 69th Memorial Day parade kicks off from Martins Lane and North Washington Street, turning left onto Beall Avenue, turning right onto Maryland Avenue through Rockville Town Center and then making a left on East Montgomery Avenue. Free and fab fun!

Sunset Celebrations at Mount Vernon Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 6-8:30pm: A rare chance to visit Historic Mount Vernon in the evening, watching the sunset with a glass of wine and your kid on your hip. “Visitors may take evening tours of the Mansion, relax and enjoy wine and desserts available for purchase on the lawn overlooking the Potomac River.  Delight in 18th-century music, dancing, games, and wagon rides. Stroll the lantern-lit grounds from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and immerse yourself in the 18th century as the sun sets on the plantation with costumed residents like the charming Lady Washington. This family-friendly event celebrates the beginning of summer on the plantation.” – MountVernon.org

National Harbor Carousel and National Children’s Museum: The carousel is located on National Plaza at the north end of National Harbor along the waterfront. Admission is $5 for an all day pass or $3 for a single carousel ride — but this weekend only – receive an all day pass for just $3 with military identification. Parents are always free with purchase of admission for children. While you are down there (and especially if it is a rainy weekend that keeps you from using that pool membership), visit the National Children’s Museum, open all weekend 10am-5pm.

Medieval Times at Arundel Mills Memorial Day Weekend Reduced Price Tickets: Prices are slashed by $22 for adults this holiday weekend, making it one of the most saving-savvy times to visit this Renaissance performance theatre. Use promo code MDWWEB when booking your online reservation. We went last year over Memorial Day Weekend and had a blast!

Big Nate at the Adventure Theatre MTC is Awesome Theatre for Kids

It is becoming trickier and trickier to entice my previously theatre-enthused nine-year-old son in attending a weekend play or musical with Mom. But all I had to say were two words, BIG NATE, and Charlie was totally into it. He loves this series of New York Times best-selling comic book compilations about a troublesome but loveable, cartoon-drawing-drums-playing tween. Christopher Youstra and Jason Loewith have excellently adapted Big Nate for the stage.

So Charlie’s new, cool guy persona is what brought him through the doors of the Adventure Theatre Musical Theatre Center this past weekend…

But Big Nate’s production quality, actors and storytelling fully reactivated Charlie’s love of the theatre.

Yes! 2 points to Director Michael Baron. Thank you.

Nine-year-old Charlie, seven-year-old Eve and I attended this children’s musical Saturday and all three of us were enraptured. The cast is top notch. Led by the unbelievably charismatic Sam Ludwig as the title character, it is impossible not to fall a little in love with his zany, joyous portrayal of the detention-prone Renaissance Man. Well, unless you are Jenny, the sweet blonde dope of a junior high character who can’t see the awesome that is in front of her eye lashes and instead bats them at blandly nice Artur, an exchange student from Belarus. (Note to fictional Jenny: Don’t wait until you are 32 to realize it is the Nates of the world who rule the hot.)

But I digress.

Parents and children alike will love the humor, the catchy songs, and the Adventure Theatre’s patented style of cast members playing multiple parts and creative use of the compact set. The actors’ voices and choreography are of the highest quality. I heard one mother on the walk behind us to the parking lot liken Big Nate to “Rent for kids.” Hmmm. I think it was more You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, but I agree that it was totally enjoyable.

Just as I enjoyed bringing my toddler Alice to the perfect-for-her-age Winnie the Pooh earlier this season, and introducing my first grade daughter to the world of Laura Ingalls with A Little House Christmas, it was fabulous to be able to bring my third grade son to a play that evokes his daily life as a student. Charlie completely connected with it and had a spring in his step for the rest of the day, even goofing along with me as we danced Singin’ in the Rain-style with our umbrellas after the show.

Tell me, will you get that kind of reaction from a nine-year-old after Iron Man 3? I think not.

The play is great for kids age kindergarten through middle school, and high school theatre kids will dig it too.

The only downside to Big Nate is that there are only a few performances left! Get your tickets before the show closes on Sunday June 2. Note that there are special Monday performances on Memorial Day.

Thank you to the Adventure Theatre MCT for providing media passes for my family and me. No additional compensation was received. I take responsibility for all opinions and dorking out. Photo credit Bruce Douglas for Adventure Theatre.

Bring your kids to this free event to taste healthy school lunch recipes…developed by kid chefs!

Real Food for Kids Montgomery, a “grass-roots, parent advocacy group promoting whole, delicious, fresh and nutrient-rich foods in the Montgomery County Public Schools” is hosting what sounds like a fun and tasty event. On Saturday May 18 at Piney Branch School in Takoma Park (7510 Maple Avenue) from 12-2 p.m. families are invited to taste five finalists’ menu creations. Everyone can taste but only kids vote on their favorite selections. The winning recipe will be submitted to MCPS for their consideration as a new menu item!

Other activities for all ages of attendees will include Guess What Food?, Knife Skills Demo, Food Trivia and My Plate Coloring. Tickets are $5/person or $15/family. Free or reduced price entry is available at the door for families who qualify for free or reduced priced lunches.

Here are the top 5 finalists’ recipes for a healthy school lunch…the kids’ tasting menu, if you will:

Turkey Wrap with Mixed Vegetables, Apple and Popcorn
Chef: Marina Bowsher

Kale, Bean and Fruit Pita Pockets
Chef: Aura Triana

MC Old Bay Fish Soft Whole Grain Corn Tacos with Tropical Fruit Salsa, Crunchy Spinach Salad with Cilantro Lime Yogurt Dressing and Garden Patch Quinoa
Chef: Diane Ganci

Whole Wheat Pita Bread, Hummus, Apple and Classy Kale & Brussels Sprouts Salad
Chefs: Rebecca Letsinger (6^th grade) and Nancy Letsinger

Happy Bean Pancake with Mango     
Chefs: Josie James-Le (5th grade) and Cait James

Entrants will be competing for cash and gift cards to further their passions for cooking.

If you buy your tickets in advance online at www.realfoodforkidsmontgomery.org you will be entered into a drawing for an RFKM water bottle or a 6 month membership to the Six O’Clock Scramble.

A Parent in Silver Spring served as an official blog ambassador for Partners in Preservation, a community-based initiative by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. I was compensated to assist in raising awareness of the importance of preserving Washington, DC’s historic sites

Partners in Preservation (PiP), American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s announced the recipients of the $1M in preservation grants. Thank you so much to all of you who voted, Tweeted, Instagramed and attended the local events to raise public awareness and support local historic places!

Washington National Cathedral won the popular vote with 1,386,990 points. The Cathedral will receive the entire $100K requested, which will go towards inspecting and repairing nave vaulting damaged by the 2011 earthquake in DC.

Other restoration projects that will be funded:

•  All Souls Church Unitarian, Adams Morgan, D.C. : $50,000 to repair historic bell tower, including clock, stonework and windows.
• Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, Shaw, D.C.: $75,000 to rebuild front and rear façade in order to stabilize home for public access.
• Colvin Run Mill, Great Falls, Va.: $75,000 to bring the 18^th century grain elevator into working order.
• Congressional Cemetery, Barney Circle, D.C.: $50,000 to replace and reconstruct a row of 26 mausoleum vault roofs.
• Dumbarton Oaks Park, Georgetown, D.C.: $50,000 repair garden’s original built structures including viewing platform, stone houses, and retaining wall.
• The GALA Hispanic Theatre at The Tivoli, Columbia Heights, D.C.: $35,000 to restore three ornate interior domes.
• Greenbelt Theatre, Greenbelt, Md.: $75,000 to renovate art deco lobby.
• LAMB at Military Road School, Brightwood, D.C.: $60,000 to repair exterior of school building including columns and cupola.
• Meridian Hill Park, Columbia Heights, D.C.: $50,000 to stabilize and repair exposed aggregate concrete grotto.
• Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Scott Circle, D.C.: $90,000 to restore stained glass windows on church’s primary facade.
• Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va.: $100,000 to paint, plaster and restore Washington’s Large Dining Room.
• Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Mount Vernon Square, D.C.: $75,000 to repair and preserve a dozen of the Synagogue’s stained glass windows.

And all the participating historic places received $5,000 grants!

St. John the Evangelist in Silver Spring Healthy Lifestyle Challenge: 5K and 2K Fun Run

Saturday May 11 at 9am. 10201 Woodland Drive, Silver Spring, MD US 20902. Put on your running shoes and enjoy a morning of fitness, friends and fun. The race is open to anyone and everyone. $20 per person race fee, family rates:  3 registrants $50.00 race fee, 4 registrants $65.00 race fee, 5 – 8 registrants $75.00 race fee. Proceeds benefit the parish and school. Register online or day-of. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall winners will receive cash prizes.  1st place male/female winners in each age group will win gifts.  Everyone will be entered in the Race Day Raffle and have a chance to win great prizes.

St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School in Silver Spring Spirit 5K and Health Fair

Saturday May 11 at 8am, 11602 Kemp Mill Rd  Silver Spring, MD 20902. Bibs and event shirt  pick up at St. Andrew’s Athletic field on Friday May 10th 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday and race morning pick-up at St. Andrew’s Athletic field beginning at 7:00 AM. Full info on flyer below. Register online.

National Capital Area Kidney Walk at Georgetown Waterfront 

Saturday May 11, check in 8am, walk 9am, start at Sequoia Restaurant. Register and full details.

Komen Global Race for the Cure on the National Mall

Saturday, May 11, 6:30am pre-race activities, 7:30am opening ceremony, 8am runner start, 8:15am walker start. Runners and walkers start at 15 St. NW at Independence Avenue on the National Mall. Kids for the cure $25, adults $40. Register and full details.

HER 5K (Hyperemesis Gravidarum Research Foundation) at National Harbor

Mother’s Day Sunday May 12, National Harbor 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor (Fort Washington), MD 20745. 8:30 am 5K Run, 9:30 am Kids Run for Fun & One-Mile Fun Run/ Walk, post-race celebration. Competitive strollers and pets are not allowed on 5k course.  Walking participants with strollers are welcome. Register and complete info.

Got truck-, car-, bus-, cement mixer-, backhoe tiller-obsessed kids at home? Bring ‘em to one of these fun local truck touches!  Make your mini gearhead’s year and some awesome family memories. 

Silver Spring Nursery School Truck Touch Saturday May 4 10am-1pm

Parking lot of Silver Spring Nursery School at 10309 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903. (Please park at the CHI Center located at 10501 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20903.)

The parking lot will be filled with vehicles of every kind that the children can explore, including Montgomery County Construction Trucks and a working Recycling Truck, UPS truck, Police Cruiser, Post Office Truck, Fire Truck and Ambulance, Camper, Metro Bus, and Off-Road Jeeps!  Bring a bag of your clean (non-glass) recyclables to throw in the Recycling Truck – a favorite for the kids.

There will also be Live Music, Food, Cupcake Walk, Scholastic Book Fair, and FREE Arts and Crafts and Face Painting. Raffle prizes generously donated by local sponsors.

Admission is $5 per person and little ones under age 2 are free. All proceeds benefit Silver Spring Nursery School

Cheverly Weekday Nursery Annual Truck Touch Saturday May 4 10am-2pm

Cheverly United Methodist Church, 2801 Cheverly Avenue, Cheverly, MD 20785

Kids can get behind the wheels of cars and trucks of all kinds: police car, ambulance, fire truck, school bus and more than 20 other vehicles! There are also mid-way games, food and drinks, and t-shirts for sale. It’s really a great day for the whole family.

Admission for children age 1-12 is $5.00 (includes 4 game tickets). Ages 12 and above are free.

Looking for more family fun this weekend? Then be sure to attend some of the incredible Open House events at the Partners in Preservation historic sites! These landmarks in the running for restoration grants make for great family field trips. Several are hosting open houses and special family events this weekend, May 4 and 5 in honor of the Partners in Preservation effort.

Check out my post here for all the details!

A Parent in Silver Spring is an official blog ambassador for Partners in Preservation, a community-based initiative by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. I have been compensated to assist in raising awareness of the importance of preserving Washington, DC’s historic sites. 

As we vote to preserve our favorite local historic sites in the Partners in Preservation competition, I thought I would highlight the landmarks in the running which make for great family field trips. Several are hosting open houses and special family events this weekend, May 4 and 5 (Happy Cinco de Mayo, by the way), in honor of the Partners in Preservation effort. 

WASHINGTON, DC SITES & EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

National Museum of Women in the Arts – This museum opened in 1987 in the stunning former Masonic Temple and has become a major cultural institution, featuring works by many of the world’s most significant
women artists and educational programming.

     Family Events This Weekend at National Museum of Women in the Arts

• Free Admission Community Day on Sunday with Girls Rock! Performance for Kids!: The first Sunday of the month is Community Day at NMWA, and we will be celebrating with an open house, free admission, and Girls Rock! DC performances.
• Also, explore the museum, celebrate women in the arts, and check out the special exhibition, A World Apart: Anna Ancher and the Skagen Art Colony. Sunday is also the last opportunity to view Freya Grand: Minding the Landscape.

Heyden Observatory  – The Observatory at Georgetown University housed Georgetown’s world-renowned astronomy department until 1972, but is now unable to conduct astronomy research due to light pollution but it continues to support science and the community. It was designated a national historic landmark in 1973 for contributing “significantly to the cultural heritage and visual beauty of the District of Columbia,” according to the National Register of Historic Places.

     Family Events at Georgetown’s Heyden Observatory This Weekend

• Georgetown will host an open house at the Heyden Observatory on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, from noon to 3 p.m. The open house will include tours of the observatory and possible appearance by Jack Jr., the university mascot.
• The Georgetown University Astronomical Society will also host a stargazing event at the observatory on Saturday, May 4, from 8 to 10 p.m.

Washington National Cathedral – This English Gothic Cathedral is stunning, and serves as our country’s symbol of interfaith spirituality. Visit the Flower Mart on Saturday for family fun and an accessible way for children to enjoy it amidst the grandeur.

     Family Events at Washington National Cathedral This Weekend

• Flower Mart on Friday and Saturday: Antique carousel, puppet shows, rides, games, food and of course, flowers.
• Tower climbs offered on Saturday, May 4. Climbs are offered from 10 am to 3:30 pm (except noon) every half hour. $10 per person; tickets available on Saturday onsite only.
• See more events, tour options and worship schedule on the WNC calendar.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue – The synagogue at 6th and I Streets was occupied by a Jewish congregation and then an AME Church before being saved from becoming a nightclub by three Jewish real estate developers. Reopened in 2004, Sixth & I redefines the 21st-century synagogue through the intersection of cutting-edge arts, culture and Jewish life.

     Family Event at Sixth & I This Weekend

• Tours, Food and Friendship at the Preservation Open House: On Sunday at noon, some to Sixth & I for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the 105-year-old building, including highlights of the historic stained glass windows. Also sample free food, and meet Sixth & I personalities.

Tivoli Square/GALA Hispanic Theatre - “The Tivoli was built in 1924 as the largest movie palace in the region, boasting an ornate gold-gilt dome dubbed “the Temple of the Arts”. During the 1968 riots, the neighborhood was burned and continued to deteriorate, but Tivoli was left intact and was boarded up in 1976. After raising millions, GALA has reopened Tivoli, allowing it to serve as a landmark for Washingtonian cultural history.” — Partners in Preservation website

Family Event This Weekend at Tivoli/GALA

• Free Open House Saturday: GALA is having an open house this Saturday, May 4, from 1 pm to 4 pm. There will be a showing of a documentary film about the legendary Roberto Clemente, a post-screening Q&A with lead actor Modesto Lacen, and a tour of the theater.  The Theatre is also offering half-price tickets will be available to the DC-7: The Roberto Clemente Story.

Metropolitan AME Church - The first independent Black religious body in the US, this site is working to restore its stained glass windows which were built by both enslaved and freedmen from 1816 to 1896. The land-site is the oldest continuously Black-owned parcel of land in the District of Columbia.

     Family Events at Metropolitan AME This Weekend

• Worship on Sundays at 7:45 and 11:00 a.m.  Sunday School is held on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Located at 1518 M Street, NW in Washington, DC. Call (202) 331-1426 for more information.

Dumbarton Oaks Park – We love this expansive Geogetown park, with its gardens, trails, quaint bridges, and views of Rock Creek. Children are welcome to bring their bicycles. Teens and adults will find the museum and research library fascinating.

George Mason Memorial – The next time you’re on the National Mall near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial or the FDR Memorial, pop by this “forgotten” memorial honoring the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention. It is quiet with a lovely garden and pond.

     Family Events at the George Mason Memorial This Weekend

• Saturday Fun With George Mason: Capitally Frugal’s Sarah has the scoop! She writes that from 11am-2pm on Saturday, “National Mall Park Rangers will provide visitors with a history of the man, the memorial, and its place on the National Mall. Enjoy light refreshments, a photo-posing contest with George, and prizes.”

Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region’s Chesapeake Bay buyboats – The shipboard programs are held on historical waterboats which used to take watermen’s purchased oysters to market. Now they provide underserved and at-risk youth in the DC/MD/VA area with environmental educational opportunities through the Living Classrooms Foundation. Schools, homeschool groups, scouts and more can also reserve special trips with the Living Classrooms shipboard learning programs.

Meridian Hill Park – A beautiful park to visit with your children, full of opportunities for climbing on the concrete Neoclassist structures throughout, running on twisty garden paths, admiring the waterfall fountain and taking beautiful photographs.

MARYLAND SITES & EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

Greenbelt Theatre – Catch a classic film at this classic old theatre on the first Saturday of the month at noon for just $5 a ticket. What a relaxing way to enjoy history, right? This New Deal era landmark is single screen theater in the center of heart of Greenbelt, Maryland.

     Family Movie at Greenbelt Theatre This Weekend

• W.C. Fields and Charlie McCarthy in You Can’t Cheat An Honest Man at noon. Suitable for all ages. $5 a ticket.
• Stay to enjoy the Robert Goddard Jazz Band and Electric Strings outside in Roosevelt Center from 4-6pm.
• Sunday for a group vote and join the Children’s Choir from St. Mary’s Church in Laurel in a movie-themed sing-a-long.

VIRGINIA SITES & EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

Colvin Run Mill - On the Virginia side of the Great Falls, this Fairfax County Parks treasure is a partially restored, operational gristmill. My family and I love picnicking here when we visit the Falls and purchasing treats in the circa 19th century general store. It is the sole surviving operational 19th-century water-powered mill in the DC area and sees hundreds of thousands of visitors per year.

     Family Event at Colvin Run Mill This Weekend

• Grinding demonstrations at the mill this Sunday, as they are offered the 1st and 3rd Sundays, April through October, noon-3pm. Call ahead 703-759-2771 to confirm that conditions permit grinding.
• This Sunday there will also be demonstrations of blacksmithing,  “moonshine”-making, live Dulcimer music, woodcarving. Families can enjoy samples made from the mill’s products and children can engage in mill chores and hands-on activities, and pet animals from Frying Pan Park.

Mount Vernon - Visiting George Washington’s home is one of my all-time favorite ways to spend a day. Period. There is so much history and learning and beauty to be found in a visit to this spectacular, yet very accessible, estate.

     Family Events at Mount Vernon This Weekend

• Preservation Weekend Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5: Enjoy preservation-themed activities for children in the Hands-On-History room inside the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.  Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours led by our archaeology, preservation, and collections staff.  Inside the Mansion, you’ll see conservation in action as experts tackle Mount Vernon’s most extensive preservation project to date, the restoration of Washington’s Large Dining Room, or “New Room.”  With the exception of the Mount Vernon in the Civil War tour, all Preservation Weekend activities are included in your admission ticket. More details on the fun.
• Hoecakes and Hospitality Exhibit: How did Martha manage to feed hundreds of visitors in a world without refrigerators, microwaves or running water? Experience a behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons’ kitchen through the new exhibition.

The Athenaeum – Built as a bank in 1852, The Athenaeum survived occupation by Union forces during the Civil War, the Banking Panic of 1907, almost two decades as a pharmaceutical warehouse, and 41 years as a Methodist church. It became an art center in 1964, and is now home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). 

     Family Events This Weekend at The Athenaeum

• Saturday and Sunday Free Art Gallery: The gallery is always free and is open Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 12–4 pm and Saturdays from 1–4 pm.
• Eat, meet, and win! Enjoy tastings by caterers Tasteful Affairs and A Thyme and Place, meet author and historian Michael Lee Pope, poet Shelly Bell, and members of the award-winning band, Dead Men’s Hollow. Stay to win prizes from MetroStage, Hard Times Café, Pizzario Paradiso, Virtue Feed and Grain, The Fontaine. Vote on-site and enter a drawing for a free hour-long rental of the Athenaeum and make sure to pose for a photo with General Robert E. Lee, General Ulysses S. Grant, or both (if you are feeling conflicted about your loyalties).

Marine Corps War Memorial – The breathtaking Iwo Jima flagraising memorial is always awe inspiring and full of teachable moments. Its view of Washington is also a must-see and must-photograph.

24 historic places in the DC Metro area — locales in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland — are engaged in a little friendly competition. The historic site that gains the most votes, Tweets, Foursquare check-ins and Instagrams will receive a grant for up to $100,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Another $900,000 will be distributed amongst the other sites, resulting in one million dollars of historic preservation in our area. Vote for your favorites daily through May 10! 

I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about Clinton Kelly. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.  Affiliate links are used. 

You know how when we pick up a magazine we see the celebs in the front rows of the fashion shows, or at fashion industry parties, smiling with one hand on their hips ?

This Saturday YOU can be just like them…and it will not cost you a cent.

Grab your girlfriends, leave the kids with Dad and hop over to Macy’s in Towson for a celebration with Clinton Kelly, co-host of What Not to Wear on TLC and The Chew on ABC Daytime. He is hosting a special spring fashion presentation, showcasing the standout styles of the season for women of all shapes and sizes. Don’t miss this intimate fashion show!

Clinton will be answering questions, doling out style advice, taking photos and autographing his fabulous style guide  Oh No She Didn’t: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them. 

Estee Lauder is also offering mini makeovers to attendees. While you are at Macy’s for the fun, if you make any Women’s Clothing or Estee Lauder purchase of $100 or more you will receive a copy of Clinton’s book , which he will autograph for you!

Saturday, May 4th at 2pm, Women’s Intimates, Level 3

Macy’s Towson Town Center

813 Dulaney Valley Rd

Towson, MD 21204

RSVP by calling 888-622-9769 or visiting macys.com/events

The Glen Echo Park Partnership’s Annual Family Day is a Free, Can’t-Miss-It Family Celebration

Glen Echo Family Day celebrates local families and kicks off spring with a sweet, party-packed day of free family activities on Saturday May 4 from 11am-4pm.

Free awesome activities

• storytelling by Diane Macklin
• Irish Dancing by the Culkin School of Irish Dance
• Washington Conservatory of Music  — Voice & Piano Concert: “BritHits: A Cabaret”
• magic shows with Barry Wood and Alex Wohl
• art activities
• face painting
• Youth Art Exhibition
• performances by Ballet Petite
• sing-alongs with Brooksie Wells
• Taiko drumming with Mark H. Rooney
• T-Ball Extreme
• artist open studios
• playground fun
• urban dance performance by Urban Artistry
• tours by National Park Service rangers

All this is included in your free park admission!

Families can also ride on the historic Dentzel Carousel for just $1.25 per person/per ride (proceeds benefit the non-profit park partnership and maintenance of this national treasure).

Food will be available for purchase at The Park’s Ballroom Café or you can bring your own picnic.

A great addition to this already-awesome day? Tickets to an unforgettable children’s performance located within Glen Echo Park, such as the brand new production of Big Nate at the Adventure Theatre. Aimed at children age 5 and up, families can delight in the world of Nate Wright, a detention-riddled, drum-playing sixth grader who hopes to woo beautiful Jenny by winning the Battle of the Bands. Tickets are $19 person, and there are shows at 11am and 2pm. Order your tickets now, as the show may sell out before Saturday.

Another fabulous children’s theatre option is The Puppet Co. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy Tiny Tots’ Clowning Around from 1o-10:30 am (tickets for everyone are $5). Kids aged kindergarten and up can enter the fairy tale world of Cinderella performed the The Puppet Co.  at 11:30am and 1pm on Saturday; tickets are $10 per person.

Disclosure: The Glen Echo Park Partnership is a sidebar advertising partner of A Parent in Silver Spring, however, no compensation was received for this post.

This post has been sponsored by Language Stars of Washington, DC. All writings and opinions are my own.

Language Stars Free  Birthday Bash on Thursday May 2nd at 5pm in Gaithersburg

A free foreign-language-learning themed family celebration?

Language learning games and storytimes?

Games and frolicking with The Little Gym and arts and crafts with Color Me Mine?

Meet and greet (and picture taking) with Superman?

A family goodie bag packed with prizes for kids (and a $25 off coupon for parents)?

Lots of raffles and prizes, including a free week of Language Stars summer camp, t-shirts, children’s music CDs and more?

Discounts for new Language Stars families?

(Did I mention that this awesome kid-activity party is free? And did you notice the time? Five in the afternoon: primo witching hour time killer/pre-dinnertime boredom buster!)

To celebrate their one year anniversary, the Gaithersburg location of Language Stars (at 656 Quince Orchard Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 20878) is inviting us all to their birthday bash…yet we the families are the ones receiving the gifts.

Sure, the Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon cutting and even Mayor Sidney Katz may be popping by. But the guest of honor that the kids will be most excited to see? Oh, none other than Superman, who will be on hand to talk to and take pictures with the children. (Pack your camera!)

Language Stars offers play-based, full-immersion foreign language classes for toddlers, pre-schoolers and students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Language Stars believes that children greatly benefit from an early start in learning a foreign language, and that children possess a “…unique window of opportunity when their young brains absorb the magic of another language and culture easily and rapidly.”

Language Stars was awarded Best Foreign Language Instruction location by readers of Washington Family Magazine. Language Stars can be found in the Washington DC Metro Area in…

Alexandria
Bethesda
Fairfax
Falls Church
Gaithersburg
N. Arlington / McLean
Reston

DC area Language Stars centers offer classes in Spanish, Mandarin, French, and German. (Italian is coming soon.) Vistit the location links above for complete schedules of classes for language, day, time, and age level.

New families who attend the free Gaithersburg birthday bash will get 10% off and a waived registration fee if they enroll at the event.  And all local families are welcome to try a class for free.

Language Stars Free Birthday Party for Families

Thursday May 2nd, 2013 at 5pm

656 Quince Orchard Rd.

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

This post was sponsored by Language Stars. All writings and opinions are my own.