Get out on the water this weekend with kayaking lessons or a fishing excursion at Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
Friends, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that it *probably* isn’t going to rain around Route One this weekend, which is a nice break from the washouts of the past couple of weekends. The bad news is that it’s going to be August hot and wet blanket humid. But hey, you chose to live in Maryland and so did I, and that’s just the price we pay for living in an otherwise awesome state, so don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying Route One.
On Friday, take in a library storytime or do some concert hopping along Route One. On Saturday, support Cesar Chavez Dual Spanish Immersion School at their fabulous fiesta and learn about where your trash and recycling goes at the City of Hyattsville Department of Public Works Open House. Throughout the weekend, celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, learn about animals, get out on the water, dig for fossils, or grab some local goodies at a farmer’s market. Break out the water bottles and portable fans, because there’s so much fun to be had around Route One this weekend.
FRIDAY
Hyattsville Library Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring your preschooler and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and more at the new Hyattsville Library. The story time will be held outdoors, but be sure to stop inside to see the new space while you’re there.
When: 10:30 to 11 am
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!
Asian Pacific American Heritage Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 2-3)
Consider a trip to the Bowie Library for a very special, Asian Pacific American Heritage story time.
When: 10:15 to 10:45 am
Where: Bowie Library
Cost: FREE!
Out of the Blues – Concert for Our Community (all ages)
Carly Harvey, DC’s own queen of the blues, will perform at this benefit concert for Art Works Now. The event will be held outdoors, but fun art activities are planned for children in an indoor studio, so don’t forget your masks.
When: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Art Works Now, Hyattsville
Cost: Adults $25 (includes one drink ticket for beer or wine), young adults ages 13-20 $10, and kids 5-12 $5
Patapsco Brass in Concert (all ages)
Patapsco Brass Quintet is a group of five friends who regularly get together for camaraderie and classical music. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available for this free concert that will pair beautifully with a glass of mead.
When: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Maryland Meadworks, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE! (tipping encouraged)
SATURDAY
Interfaith Children’s Circle (ages 1-5)
Join the Interfaith Children’s Circle for prayers, songs, and a virtue-themed story. The program is about 15 minutes, after which kids and parents can enjoy playing and chatting together. Some past stories have included We’re Different, We’re the Same, I Am Brave, The Rabbit Listened, and Say Hello!
When: 10:30 am -12 pm
Where: Hyatt Park, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!
Cheverly Community Market (all ages)
I recently read Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and it inspired me to buy more of our food locally. There are several great farmer’s markets in the Route One area, including a couple on weekends. The Cheverly Community Market is back with the best in local produce, fruits, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, bread, pastries and wine. The market accepts Maryland-DC WIC/FMNP/SNAP and happens every other Saturday from May to November.
When: 8 am to 12 pm
Where: Cheverly Community Center
Cost: FREE!
Hollywood Farmer’s Market (all ages)
You’ll find a great variety of farm-fresh veggies, fruits, meats, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, hot foods, honey, coffee, and plants, plus live music every Saturday. The market happens rain or shine in the parking lot of MOM’s in College Park.
When: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Hollywood Shopping Plaza, near MOM’s
Cost: FREE!
¡SÍ Se Puede! Feista (all ages)
Stroll over to César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion School for feista fundraiser for outdoor learning and play spaces at the school. There will be moon bounces, games, art activities, prizes, music, and dance performances by Ballet Folklorico K’oeti and EducArte. There will also be a special guest speaker, Julie Chávez Rodriguez, granddaughter of César Chávez. Note that the parking location is next door to the school at 6509 Riggs Road.
When: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion School, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!
Hyattsville Department of Public Works Open House (all ages)
When you stop to think about it, it’s pretty amazing that each week, all of the trash, recycling, compost and yard waste generated by Route One families is collected and taken to processing facilities. Learn more about how that happens this weekend at the Hyattsville Department of Public Works Open House. Take a building tour (offered at 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, and 2:15). See the Hyattsville DPW vehicles at the truck touch, including Sparky, the State’s first fully electric-trash truck. There will also be free food, entertainment, and a Yard Dramas children’s performance at 1 pm.
When: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Department of Public Works Operations Center, 4633 Arundel Place, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!
Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival (all ages)
After a pandemic hiatus, the DC Dragon Boat Festival is returning this spring. Stop by to watch the stunning dragon boats race along the Potomac, then stick around for traditional ceremonies, dances and food.
When: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Thompsons Boat Center, 2900 Virginia Ave NW DC
Cost: FREE!
Meet & Make – Amphibians (ages 2-7)
Meet a critter and get crafty! Kids will enjoy an up close visit with a nature center animal and learn what makes them special. Then, they can use what they have learned to create a craft about that animal.
When: 10-10:45 am
Where: Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $4 (register in advance)
Story Strolls at Montpelier (ages 2-5)
Families follow a path of pages as they read stories that foster confidence, encourage self-care, and make teamwork fun. This month, the story will be Call Me Tree/Llamame Arbol, written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzales. This brightly illustrated book encourages children to grow from the inside out, like a tree, and become comfortable with themselves, their relationships, and the natural world.
When: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Montpelier House Museum, Laurel
Cost: FREE!
Hyattsville Library Spanish-English Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring the tots for stories, fingerplays, and songs in Spanish and English for ages 3-5.
When: 12:30-1 pm
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!
Cub Corner: “Going on a Plane” (ages 2-5)
Join museum staff to read Going on a Plane, the story of the Tripp family preparing for a family vacation. After the story, stay around and create your own fun passport.
When: 10:30-11:30 am
Location: College Park Aviation Museum
Cost: Free with museum admission
Live Animal Show – Animal Habitats (ages 2+)
Observe, touch, and learn about the live animals at Mt. Rainier Nature Center. My kids especially love to say hi to the snake, turtles, guinea pig and rabbit.
When: 11 am to 12 pm
Where: Mt. Rainier Nature Center
Cost: $2
Learn to Kayak (ages 11+)
Learn kayaking skills from a certified instructor on the beautiful Anacostia River. Life jackets, paddles, and boats will be provided. Bring a dry bag for your keys, phone, and other valuables. Children ages 11-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
When: 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Cost: $30
Self Defense for Women & Teens (ages 13+)
Women and teen girls can learn techniques to become more aware and more prepared for dangerous situations and can build a foundation of self-confidence, strength, and perseverance in this self-defense workshop.
When: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Westphalia Community Center, Upper Marlboro
Cost: FREE!
Visit the Dinosaur Park in Laurel (all ages)
The Dinosaur Park is a 41-acre park in Laurel featuring a rare deposit of fossils from the Cretaceous Period. On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, budding archaeologists of all ages are invited to join paleontologists and volunteers on-site to interpret fossil deposits.
When: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Laurel Dinosaur Park
Cost: FREE!
Outdoor Archaeology Lab (ages 8+)
Join archaeologists to process real artifacts that were found in Mount Calvert park, including ancient Indigenous stone tools, colonial pottery, and tobacco pipes from an 18th century plantation. Participants will get their hands dirty while cleaning and identifying these amazing discoveries. For ages 8 and up with participating adult.
When: 1 to 3 pm
Where: Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $5 (register in advance)
AAPI Ignite By Lauren DeVera and The Lion’s Den (all ages)
Celebrate AAPI heritage month through dance, music, and art highlighting AAPI visual and performance artists at this family-friendly pop-up event.
When: 4 to 7 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mt. Rainier
Cost: Pay what you wish
Chuck Brown Band (all ages)
Get into that go-go swing this spring with the Chuck Brown Band. The group has toured the world with the Godfather of Go-Go, the legendary Chuck Brown, and now carries the torch to keep the go-go beat alive. This high-energy interactive ensemble will have you saying, “Wind Me Up Chuck!” before the end of the night!
When: 8 to 10 pm
Where: Publick Playhouse, Cheverly
Cost: $25/person; $20/seniors and students
SUNDAY
Fishing Trip on the Anacostia (ages 10+)
Enjoy a morning of fishing from a pontoon boat on the Anacostia River. Learn about casting, handling fish, fishing safety and fish biology. Rod and bait provided, or bring your own. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
When: 9:30 am to 12 pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Cost: $10 (register in advance)
Greenbelt Farmer’s Market (all ages)
The Greenbelt Farmers Market is brings a fantastic mix of local vendors to Roosevelt Center in Old Greenbelt, including produce, pasture-raised meats, sustainable seafood, soaps, ice cream, breads and baked goods, mushrooms, flowers, bedding plants, vegetable and herb plant starts, honey, coffee, wine, beer, baked desserts, and prepared entrees and sides, both frozen and hot.
When: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Roosevelt Center, Old Greenbelt
Cost: FREE!
A Walk with Toto (all ages)
Enjoy a fun walk in the park with family and your furry friends dressed in their best Toto or Wizard of Oz costumes. After the walk, participate in a costume contest! Face coverings are optional, and all our four-legged friends must be leashed.
When: 1-4 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)
Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor (all ages)
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the restaurants at National Harbor, and meet at The Plaza’s big screen for a free screening of The Secret Life of Pets. National Harbor will be featuring family movies every Sunday for the rest of the spring and summer, plus date night movies for grown-ups on Thursdays.
When: 6 pm
Where: The Plaza at National Harbor
Cost: FREE!
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