Looking for Something to Do This Weekend?
The federal government shut down is over and the monuments, parks, Smithsonian museums, Capitol Visitor Center and, after 17 days, the National Zoo are all open again. The staff of the zoo, which reopens a day later than everything else on Friday, will be at the front gate today to welcome visitors back. And, as a token of their thanks, the zoo is offering a 10 percent discount through Oct. 20 on all food and merchandise. And, everyone 18 and younger can ride the carousel for free. But, there are other things going on in the DMV this weekend (Oct. 18-20) as well.
The start of the 2012 Army Ten-Miler.(Photo: Army Ten-Miler Flickr)
Army Ten-Miler race & expo
The 29th Army Ten-Miler will begin and end at the Pentagon and run through the nation’s capitol. There will be 35,000 runners and 689 teams this year. The race is part of the ATM Race Expo presented being held Friday and Saturday at the D.C. Armory. It features 85 health/fitness and military organization exhibitors showcasing their products and seminars. Racers will begin lining up at the Pentagon at 7:50 a.m. Spectator locations are on the east side of Memorial Bridge, the Kennedy Center, the finish line at the Pentagon and 14th and Independence Avenue. However, the race does mean road closures. Route 110 (all lanes) will be closed from 5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. the following roads will close and open on a rolling schedule: Arlington Memorial Bridge, Constitution Avenue between 23rd and 18th Streets, Virginia Avenue (all lanes), Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue, west bound lanes of Independence Avenue from Ohio Drive to 14th Street SW, 3rd and 4th Streets from Jefferson Drive to Constitution Avenue, 14th Street, south I-395 HOV northbound and I-395 HOV Lane northbound to the Eads Street ramp. Metrorail, however, will open early at 5 a.m.
Expo: Friday-Saturday at the D.C. Armory, 2001 E. Capitol St. SE, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The expo is free and open to the public. Race: Runners will begin lining up Sunday at 7:50 a.m. at the Pentagon. The race kicks off at 10 a.m. and should end about 1:30 p.m. also at the Pentagon
NOVA BrewFest (Photo: NOVA BrewFest)
NOVA Fall BrewFest
This NOVA Fall Brewfest features more than 40 of the world’s best breweries, delicious food to complement the craft beers, outstanding local and regional bands, as well as artists, crafters and retail vendors for your early holiday shopping! There are new 14 new breweries including international breweries Black Sheep Brewery and Strongbow Ciders from England; Moa Brewing from New Zealand, Brouwerji Roman from Belgium and Brauerei Fruh Am Dom, Brauerei Gebruder Maisel, Kulmbacher Brauerei, Paulaner Brauerei, Unertl Weissbier and Warsteiner Brewery from Germany. New American breweries are B Nektar Meadery from Michigan, Bison Brewing from California, Duel Brewing from New Mexico and Stillwater Artisanal Ales from Maryland. Live music will be provided by Vinyl Rhino, Stephen Heller and According to Plan.
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Bull Run Park, 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centerville. Admission: $20 and includes commemorative sampling glass and four samples. Additional samples are $1. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
Snallygaster
The 2012 Snallygaster DC at Union Market. (Photo: Snallygaster DC Facebook)
Snallygaster is the fearsome and toothy mythical beast said to terrorize the region in the early 19th Century. Snallygaster is also a celebration of craft beer and a fundraiser for Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, a nonprofit dedicated to creating an equitable and sustainable local food system in the D.C. area. There will be 212 craft beers (see the list here), food, music, entertainment and family fun.
Saturday from 1-6 p.m. at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. SE. Admission: $10. Beer will cost between five and nine tickets and food between three and six tickets. Tickets cost $1 each.
Tysons Galleria 25th anniversary
Bryanboy (Photo: Lucky Magazine)
Tysons Galleria‘s 25th anniversary continues this weekend. The mall in Tysons Corner is celebrating all month long, but on Saturday, blogger Bryanboy will present a trend presentation and there will be a Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-winning fashion critic Robin Givhan. A VIP reception will immediately follow.
Saturday from 2-5 p.m. in Center Court at Tysons Galleria. The event free and open to the public. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. VIP packages are available for $50 and includes reserved seating at the Q&A from 3-4 p.m., a meet-and-greet with Bryanboy from 4-5 p.m., a gift bag, valet parking, refreshments and an entry into a $250 gift card sweepstakes. For tickets, click here.
11th annual Friends Neighborhood Block Party
A previous FRIENDS block party (Photo: George Washington University)
George Washington University’s annual Friends Neigborhood Block Party draws approximately 2,000 people to Foggy Bottom. The event features a variety of local food and craft vendors, local businesses, restaurants, groups and institutions as well as musical and dance performances. The event is sponsored by FRIENDS, a community group that facilitates discussion and mutual understanding through open public meetings between Foggy Bottom/West End residents and GW.
Sunday from 1-4 p.m. on the 2200 Block of I (Eye) Street (at the Foggy Bottom Metro, between 22nd and 23rd Streets NW). Admission is free.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
