Let’s Go to the Fair, or the Pool
Summer is winding down, schools are getting ready to open, crops are ripening on the vine and that means it’s time for county fairs. This week, the Montgomery County Agricultural and Prince William County fairs are in full swing. Take the kids to visit the animals, see where the milk on their cereal comes from, ride the rides and eat plenty of fried foods. If the farm life isn’t for you, there’s plenty of other things to do in the DMV this weekend.
On Metro, Orange, Yellow and Green line trains will operate on regular weekend schedules. Silver Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between Wiehle-Reston East and Stadium-Armory only. Red Line trains will operate every 16 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 8-10 minutes Grosvenor and Silver Spring from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Blue Line trains will run every 24 minutes.
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
The best thing about summer fair season is that nothing ever changes. There will be plenty of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and more at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair along with food, rides, games and more food. On Friday night, there is Big Time Wrestling, on Monday an Interstate Truck and Tractor Pull, Wednesday and Thursday brings Monster Truck Madness and a demolition derby finishes up the fair on Friday and Saturday. Bring us back a candy apple or funnel cake.
Through Aug. 16 from 10 a.m.-midnight at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg. The carnival area is open from noon-midnight. Admission is $10 online or at the gate, children 11 and younger are free. On-site parking is $10, but free parking and shuttle buses are available at the Lakeforest Mall.
Prince William County Fair
Don’t worry Virginian’s, you can find much of the same at the Prince William County Fair. This year’s grandstand shows include a demolition derby on Friday, Wednesday and Thursday, a truck and tractor pull on Saturday, Dave Martin Rodeo on Sunday, Bulls-N-Barrels, a rodeo featuring just bull riding and barrel racing, on Monday, a garden tractor pull on Tuesday and a monster truck show on Aug. 15 and 16. There’s also a lion and tiger show, camel rides, a ferris wheel, funnel cakes and hot sausage sandwiches.
Through Aug. 16 starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon Saturday and Aug. 16, 9 a.m. Sunday and Aug. 15, 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd., Manassas. Admission at the gate is $10, children 5-13 and seniors 60 or older are $5. Aug. 11 is half-price day. Price includes parking.
Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna
Cirque du Soleil’s latest spectacle, Amaluna, is set on a mysterious island that’s guided by the cycles of the moon. When the island’s queen, Prospera, directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honors femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next. In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men lands on the island, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test. The couple must face numerous demanding trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.
Through Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 4:30 p.m and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Plateau at National Harbor, 300 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill. Adult tickets are $40-$275 and children’s tickets are $30-$265 online or at the door.
Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale
It’s time of for the fifth annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale in the Old Town and Del Rey sections of the city presented by the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association, the Old Town Boutique District, DASH, and the Del Ray Business Association. More than 50 businesses will host unique promotional events offering deeply-discounted summer merchandise (up to 80% off), product demonstrations and other special events. Parking at meters and city owned garages are free and the free King Street Trolley starts at 9 a.m.
Aug. 9 and 10 during business hours in the Old Town and Del Ray sections of Alexandria. Parking at meters and in city-owned garages is free as is the King Street Trolley, which runs from the King Street Metro to the waterfront along King Street.
Splash Yards
Get out your stylish bikinis and swim shorts and gather the crew for the biggest water festival D.C. has ever seen, complete with an epic water battle! Adults (21 and older) can cool off at Splash Yards, a pool party that turns Southeast D.C.’s Yards Park into an outdoor water festival complete with two pools, water slides, surfboard water games, a misting tent, a giant Instagram photo booth and a water battle at 4 p.m. Buckets of water, water soakers and blasters will be provided. There will also be lawn games. Frozen drinks and Bluejacket beer will be for sale at a tiki bar. There will also be music including all-’90s cover band White Ford Bronco at 3 p.m. and Rock Creek Social’s DJ Jerome Baker III at 4:30 p.m. Bring a towel and your sunblock.
Aug. 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. Must be 21 or older. Admission is FREE!
New Vintage Jazz and Wine Fest
The annual New Vintage Jazz and Wine Fest, a day of grooving and sipping sponsored by Jazz Chroniclers, CapitalBop and the Petworth Jazz Project returns this weekend. The diverse lineup features soulful saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin and Soulsquad, Soul Understated with Mavis Swan, the straight-ahead bop sound of the Elijah Jamal Balbed Quintet, Funk Art, Lenny Robinson’s Wayne Contingency and the breathtaking piano of Allyn Johnson and Sonic Sanctuary. As the music plays, artists from Art Whino paint murals, food trucks serve snacks and wine experts pour samples of 15 different varieties.
Aug. 9 from 2-10 p.m. at the H Street Fairgrounds, 1299 Half St. SE. Admission to the concert is $20 or admission and 2-ounce tastes of eight wines of your choice is $40 online.
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.