Parade watchers
I hope that when I have teenagers my family and I will spend Memorial Day honoring those brave men and women who gave their lives in military service for our country. But with two little ones, some of these concepts are a bit over their heads.
I mean, nothing ruins a solemn wreath laying ceremony like a preschooler’s meltdown.
But parades, carnivals, games of Marco Polo? Right up our alley.
If like me, you’re a parent of kids blissfully enjoying their country’s freedoms unawares, here are my recommendations for family fun if you’re around DC this Memorial Day Weekend :
ALL WEEKEND – OUTDOOR POOLS OPEN
Hours of the Montgomery County outdoor pools
Check here first though to make sure your fave pool doesn’t have a late opening due to drain issues.
Hours of the Prince Georges County pools
Opening dates and hours of the Washington DC outdoor pools
Arlington County’s Outdoor Upton Hill Pool
My article in The Washington Post on DC-area Spraygrounds
FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Night at the Museum Mount Vernon
6-9pm at Mount Vernon both Saturday and Sunday nights, tickets required.
This event sounds so cool! Much like in Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian, the exhibits at George and Martha’s celebrated home will come to life. The grounds will be lit by candles and lanterns for this fun evening. The event is also happening May 29-31. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for youth ages 6-11, the same as daytime admission. Buy tickets online.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Rockville Hometown Holidays
Eat your heart out at Taste of Rockville from 1-5pm both days for yummies from the area’s best restaurants, and from 1-10pm both days be wowed by the incredible amount of kids’ activities. There’s a Midway with carnival rides, moonbounces, obstacle courses, a rock climbing wall for big kids. All performances are family friendly, but the kids’ stage is where it’s at for the little squirts. Saturday stage stuff: Rocknoceros plays Saturday from 4-5pm, juggler/balloon man/kids comedian Wes Holly entertains from 2-2:45pm Saturday, KayDee Puppets from 6-7pm. Sunday shows: Bob Brown puppets from 1-1:45pm, Reptiles Alive from 4-4:45pm & 6-6:45pm.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY NIGHT – GET A SITTER
The Bliss Dance Party & Prince/Michael Jackson/Madonna at Black Cat
9:30pm – 3am Saturday. Pull out that old Depeche Mode tee shirt and get your indie/Britpop/80s fix with DJ Will Eastman. $7 cover on the backstage.
9pm – 3am Sunday. DJ Dredd spins the real American Idols (btw, how pissed is Adam Lambert today?) Prince, Michael Jackson, Madonna with signature mixes on the mainstage. $13 cover.
SUNDAY
Rolling Thunder
Noon (and all weekend.) Go see thousands of motorcycles take over the National Mall and view our country’s coolest patriots. Kids can also peruse which tattoo they’ll choose when they grow up, as well as support our nation’s veterans. The best spots for viewing the motorcycle spectacle are along the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Constitution Avenue. Noon on Sunday is the big ride, but the bikes are all over the place all weekend.
Wolf Trap Opens for the Summer
Fireworks, performance by the US Marine Band. Get there early, opens at 6:30pm because the park closes when capacity is reached.
MONDAY - MEMORIAL DAY
Rockville’s 65th Annual Memorial Day Parade
10:30am-noon. The parade route is from Martins Lane and North Washington Street, turning left on Beall Avenue, turning down Maryland Avenue through Rockville Town Center and then making a left onto East Jefferson Street. Your basic proud to be an American parade, with marching bands, community groups, military units. If they don’t have Shriner guys driving those tiny cars, I’ll eat my (sun) hat.
National Memorial Day Parade
2-5pm Marches, floats and many of our men and women in uniform cruise down Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets. Along with brave wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afganistan, Captain Dan is the parade marshal! Parade map & info.
Playing in the Ellsworth Fountin in Downtown Silver Spring
