Potomac and the surrounding area hosts a variety of annual events. This calendar offers a month by month guide for events to watch for, although it is by no means comprehensive. Check the Almanac’s weekly calendar for more information. Periodic updates will be made on our Web site at www.potomacalmanac.com. To submit additions, call 301-983-2600, send mail to 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, MD 20854, write e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991.
<cal1>July 2004
<cal2>Fireworks are an annual Fourth of July tradition at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville. Call 240-314-8600. Event is from 6:30-10 p.m. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov.
Cure Autism Now annual 5K run and 1-mile family fun walk to benefit research on autism takes place in Potomac Village on July 4 every year at 8 a.m. Call 301-419-8198. See www.canrun.org to register.
Summer Outdoor Concerts at Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, take place every Wednesday, July 7-Aug. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy music and nature free of charge. Call 301-530-0540 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Scotland Community Day is Saturday, July 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Scotland Community Center, 7700 Scotland Drive, Potomac. Games, moon bounce, clown, DJ, prizes and basketball tournament. Call 301-983-4455.
19th Annual Rockville Rotary Twilighter Runfest 8k and 1k fun run. July 17, 8:45 p.m., at the Rockville Town Center at North Washington Street and Middle Lane. There is an entry fee. Stay for the post-race party. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Riley’s Rumble Half Marathon takes place July 25, at 7 a.m., at 13015 Riley's Lock Road. Race day registration. Free for members and $8 for non-members. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
<cal1>August 2004
<cal2>Montgomery County Agricultural Fair takes place each year at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. This year the fair is scheduled for Aug. 13-21. Activities include a cattle show, rodeo, demolition derby, antiques and more. Call 301-926-3100 or visit www.mcagfair.com.
The 8th Annual Comcast Outdoor Film Festival, Aug. 13-22, Strathmore Hall, 10701 Rockville Pike, benefits NIH Children’s Charities. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m., movies at 8:30 p.m. Free. Call 301-530-0540 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Summer Sounds in the Parks, Aug. 10 and 17, 7-8:30 p.m., at Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane. Music and entertainment for the whole family. Free. Call 240-777-6821 or visit www.mcrd.net.
34h Annual Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., in the newly restored Spanish Ballroom, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sept. 4 -Sept. 6, noon-6 p.m. Opening reception is on Friday, Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m., in the Spanish Ballroom lobby. The works of more than 150 artists will be on display, featuring paintings, drawings, pottery, sculpture, photography, glass, jewelry and more. Admission is free. Most items are for sale. Call 301-320-7757 or visit www.glenechopark.org.
<cal1>September 2004
<cal2>Glen Echo Labor Day art show features different types of artwork, ranging from painting to pottery. Open all Labor Day weekend from 12-6 p.m. Visit www.glenechopark.org for more information.
Tour De Canal, Sept. 11-12, is a bicycle tour where riders can choose either 184, 100 or 20 miles of towpath riding from Cumberland to Georgetown. The ride benefits the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area. Riders must qualify through a mandatory training ride. Call 1-866-259-0042, e-mail linda.hadley@alz.org or visit www.alz-nca.org.
A Fall Fund-raiser for the Glen Echo non-profit Partnership takes place on Saturday, Oct. 9. The festive evening will be highlighted by Washington Post wine critic Ben Giliberti, who will help wine-tasters experience the best of wine. Afterwards, join in dancing and desserts in the newly restored Spanish Ballroom.
The Potomac Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominees for annual Youth of the Year, Businessperson of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards. Winners, selected by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce’s Awards Committee, will be honored at the Potomac Day Parade on Oct. 30 and presented with plaques during an awards ceremony. For guidelines or nomination forms, call Fred Goldman at 301-294-0007 or visit www.potomacchamber.org Mail entries by Sept. 9 to Potomac Chamber of Commerce, 9812 Falls Road, Suite 114, Box 320, Potomac, MD 20854.
<cal1>October 2004
<cal2>Potomac Family Fun Fest will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road. Craft projects, carnival games, entertainment, face painting and more. Stay after for Family Bingo Night, which is from 5-8 p.m. Call 301-983-4471.
Halloween Happening at Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, takes place Sunday, Oct. 31, noon-3:30 p.m. Costume parade, prizes, games and arts and crafts. Call 301-983-4471.
15th Annual Taste of Bethesda. The Taste of Bethesda Day in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda. Enjoy “tastes” from over 50 participating restaurants on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Four musical entertainment stages provide the sounds of jazz, rock and roll, swing, blues and Latino music. An area with children’s activities is also featured. Call 301-214-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership sponsors the Bethesda Row Arts Festival, produced by Federal Realty Investment Trust, on Saturday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Festival features 180 artists, representing 20 different kinds of media, with artwork for sale. The event also features live music on stage, strolling entertainers and multiple food vendors. Proceeds of a silent auction benefit a charitable organization. Call 301-214-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Firehouse Open House at the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department hosts its annual Open House at Station 10, 8001 River Road, on usually the second Sunday in October. Activities include live action demonstrations, including stop, drop and roll, stove-fire demonstration and automobile extrication. Other features include a moon bounce and food. Call 301-365-2255.
Potomac Day in Potomac Village, the annual community festival, will be held Saturday, Oct. 30. Arts and entertainment for all ages, ranging from rides for children to an antique show for adults. The highlight is the Potomac Day Parade, featuring hundreds of entrants, including bands, horses, antique cars, school groups, scouting organizations, candidates for elected office and more. The Potomac Day 5K run raises funds for local charities. Call the Potomac Chamber of Commerce at 301-299-2170.
Montgomery County Annual Dog Walk and Pet Fair takes place on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Potomac Elementary, 10311 River Road, and benefits the Montgomery County SPCA. Registration for pets begins at 9:30 a.m. and activities include walks, pet contests, silent auction and lunch. Call 301-299-3748.
Rockville 10K/5K, Montgomery County’s oldest race, returns on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 8:30 a.m. There is an entry fee. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Life and Death of the C&O Canal, an annual event hosted by the Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern, takes place Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Groups are taken every 15 minutes for an hour-long program. Volunteers and National Park Staff dressed in period costume take participants to various stations for a fun, educational look at the darker side of canal history. Call the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center at 301-767-3714 for reservations.
<cal1>November 2004
<cal2>Halloween Young Run (ages 12 and under) .25, .5 and 1 mile. Sunday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. Rockville. Must register ahead. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Jewish Book Festival takes place Nov. 7-14, at the Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road, in Rockville. Hours are Sunday-Thursday, 9-10 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Books, CDs and tapes on Judaism and Jewish life are available for sale. Author appearances are also scheduled. Call 301-881-0100.
Marathon in the Parks usually takes place early in November. Participants complete a 26-mile run through Montgomery County. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Potomac Community Food Drive takes donations of clothing and food during the week of Nov. 15, at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, and distributes them to local homeless shelters. Call 301-983-4471.
Potomac Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner is a chamber event honoring Potomac’s citizens of the year. It takes place on Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. Call 301-299-2170.
Potomac Community Open Flea Market takes place on Nov. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Buy tables at $25 each to sell goods. Take home all profits. Open to all. Call 301-983-4471.
Potomac Theatre Company presents “Sound of Music” at the Blair Family Center for the Arts, Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road in Potomac. Nov. 21-23, 28-30, Dec. 5-7. Call 301-299-8571 for times and ticket information or visit www.potomactheatreco.org.
Turkey Chase 10K run that benefits the YMCA and Rotary Clubs of Washington. Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving), at 8:30 a.m., at Old Georgetown Road and Spruce Street. The 2-mile walk/run for children is at 8:45 a.m.; wheelchairs welcome. Call 301-530-8500 Ext. 16.
Potomac Clean and Green organizes a Potomac Village clean up early in November. Meet at the Potomac Safeway parking lot in front of the bus gazebo. Call chairperson Peggy Dennis at 301-983-9738.
Potomac Theatre Company Presents "Once Upon a Mattress," a musical comedy retelling of "The Princess and the Pea" by Mary Rodgers Weekends, Nov. 19-Dec. 5. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Call 301-299-8571 or visit www.potomactheatreco.org.
<cal1>December 2004
<cal2>Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1 – 3 p.m. The Bethesda Urban Partnership will create a winter wonderland at Metro center with local children’s entertainment, caroling, hot winter beverages, goodies and Santa Claus. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Glen Echo Pottery Holiday Show on Dec. 4-5, showcases various styled pots ranging from traditional high-fired to exotic Raku. Open Saturday, 9-6 p.m. and Sunday, 10-4 p.m. Located at the Lab School, located on MacArthur Boulevard and Reservoir Road. Call 301-229-5585 for exact dates.
Winter Lights is a 3.5-mile drive through a holiday light show at Seneca Creek Park including Twilight Traditions and a tree-lighting ceremony. There are over 300 illuminated displays, 60 of which are animated. Open Nov. 26- Jan. 1, closed Dec. 25. Displays open at 6 p.m., cost is TBA. Benefits charities. Call 301-258-6350 or visit www.ci.gaithersburg.md.us.
Christmas Tree Sale sponsored by the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department at Station 10, 8001 River Road, is an annual tradition in early December that benefits the fire department. Call 301-365-2255 for exact dates.
Jingle Bell Jog 8k championship series, Dec. 14, 9 a.m.; and a 1M Fun Run at 9:10 a.m., at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
<cal1>January 2005
<cal2>Wintry Rock Creek Run, four miles with a 1-mile Fun Run. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Potomac Frosty 6 Mile Run and Fun Run. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Clothing Drive at Potomac Community Center will be held the week of Jan. 10-14, 11315 Falls Road. All donations help needy families in Montgomery County. Call 301-983-4471.
<cal1>February, 2005
<cal2>Thanksgiving in February. Area restaurants help fight hunger in our area by donating 10 percent of their receipts to area non-profit organizations like Rockville HELP and Bethesda Cares. Call 301-762-8682 for participating restaurants.
Jazz Festival is a five-day event, Feb. 16-20, at the Doubletree Hotel, 1750 Rockville Pike. The festival provides live musical performances, workshops and seminars. Call 301-933-1822.
<cal1>March, 2005
<cal2>The Children’s Book Festival is an opportunity for children to become more involved in reading. Feb. 29- March 4. In addition to the sale, book characters dress in costume to perform for the children. Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road in Rockville. Call 301-230-3773.
Carderock Towpath Run 12k. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Potomac Theatre Company presents "What's a Wolf to Do? The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Little Pigs," an original musical comedy adaptation by Potomac resident Marilyn Shockey. Weekends, March 11-20, Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m. Call 301-299-8571 or visit www.potomactheatreco.org.
<cal1>April 2005
<cal2>Rockville Crushed Stone operation has its annual Earth Day celebration at its Rockville Quarry, 13900 Piney Meetinghouse Road. The event, sponsored by the North Potomac Citizens Association, drew more than 4,000 people in 2004. Call 301-294-6404, e-mail quarryearthday@aol.com or visit www.quarryearthday.com.
The fifth annual Bethesda Literary Festival takes place Friday, April 23, through Sunday, April 25. Literary Events take place in downtown Bethesda’s bookstores, galleries and retail businesses, as well as the Library and Elementary School. All events are free to the public. Call 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
“Blast from the Past” at Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road in Potomac, presents its annual rock and roll musical revue featuring student cast members, musicians and stage crew under the direction of area professionals. It takes place in late April and early May. Call the Choral Department at 301-469-1243 with questions about the show.
Pike’s Peek 10k run along Rockville Pike. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Potomac Clean and Green organizes a Potomac Village spring cleanup. Call Peggy Dennis, chairperson, at 301-983-9738.
<cal1>May 2005
<cal2>Potomac Area Newcomers Club's annual officers' installation meeting is May 12. The club also has monthly meetings at different venues throughout Potomac on the second Thursday of every month. Call Club President Sue Bigler at 301-610-5056.
The Potomac Hunt Races feature steeplechase racing, thoroughbreds and festive tailgate parties. All proceeds benefit Suburban Hospital’s trauma center. Call 301-896-3971 or visit www.potomachuntraces.com.
The Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park operates July 1-Aug. 1, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.; through Aug. 31 at the same times with the carousel also running Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sept. 1- Sept. 30, only Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo. Call 301-492-6229 or the events hotline at 301-492-6282. See www.glenechopark.org.
The Audubon Nature Fair takes place at the Audubon Naturalist Society, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, on the first Sunday in May, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This family event will include children’s events, environmental games, nature exhibits, and arts and crafts. Call 301-652-9188 or visit www.audubonnaturalist.org.
Strawberry Festival at Potomac United Methodist Church, 10300 Falls Road in Potomac, takes place the Saturday before Mother's Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Berries, a silent auction, bake sale, rummage sale, craft fair, dollar items, games and activities for children, pie-eating contests, food and door prizes. Proceeds benefit charitable programs for women and children in need. Call the church at 301-299-9383.
Hometown Holidays is a three-day Memorial Day festival, May 28-30, with concerts, children’s crafts and games and a parade at Rockville Town Center at Route 355 and Middle Lane. Call 240-314-5022 or visit www.ci.rockville.md.us.
The 50th Landon Azalea Festival takes place in the Perkins Garden and throughout the entire Landon 75-acre wooded campus and gardens. Attend the Maryland Craft Show, purchase many varieties of plants and flowers as well as items from the festival boutiques. 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda. Call 301-320-3200 or visit www.landon.net.
Cabin John Cross Country 5k run, with 1k, .25 and .5 mile Young Runs. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
The Flower Tub Garden Project in Potomac Village adds a festive color to downtown activities. Call Elie Pisarra-Cain at 301-983-1537.
<cal1>June, 2005
<cal2>Booz Allen Classic. June is the month to welcome professional golfers to the Potomac Area. The Booz Allen Classic takes place June 6-12, at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel, 10000 Oaklyn Drive. Call 301-469-3737.
The 10th annual Imagination Bethesda, a children’s street festival celebrating the arts, takes place on Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., on Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in Bethesda Row. The festivities features storytellers, face painters, street performers, dance troupes, theater performances and hands-on activities for the 12-and-under crowd. Local child-friendly businesses and nonprofit educational organizations also participate in the free festival. Call 301-881-0100 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Kiddush Cup Golf Tournament is an annual Jewish Community Center golf tournament to benefit senior programs at the Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road in Rockville. Call 301-881-0100.
Capital Crescent 5k run. Call Montgomery County Road Runners Club at 301-353-0200 or see www.mcrrc.org.
Dancing and Music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, in the Bumper Car Pavilion and the newly restored Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Admission varies between $7 and $12. Call 301-492-6229 or the hotline 301-492-6282. Visit www.glenechopark.org.
Summer Reading Programs for teenagers, elementary school-age children, and children ages 3-5, June-August, at Potomac Community Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive. Space is limited. Call 240-777-0690 or visit www.montgomerylibrary.org.
Potomac Theatre Company presents "Steel Magnolias," a poignant, hilarious comedy by Robert Harling. Weekends, June 17-26, 2005. Call 301-299-8571 or visit www.potomactheatreco.org
The Merritthon, a concert to benefit the Leukemia Society of America usually takes place in late June. For more information, visit www.merritthon.cjb.net.