Weekend Agenda Has a Few Hits on It
This weekend is all about #Natitude as the Washington Nationals take on the San Francisco Giants at National’s Park starting at 3 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the first two games of the National League Division Series. Even if you don’t have tickets, head out to the Yards Park to show your support. And if you’re not a fan, there’s plenty of other things on tap to do this weekend too.
Silver, Blue, Green and Yellow line trains will operate on regular weekend intervals. Orange Line trains will operate every 16 minutes, rather than every 12 minutes. Red Line trains will operate every 15 minutes between Glenmont and Shady Grove with trains running every 8-10 minutes between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Washington Nationals Celebration
The Capitol Riverfront BID welcomes all ticket holding and non-ticket holding fans the Washington Nationals Celebration at Yards Park to celebrates the Nats’ playoff spot. Go early and stay late to enjoy neighborhood restaurants and events in Yards Park before and after the games. On Friday, the playoff game starts at 3:07 p.m. A post game concert on the Yards Park boardwalk will follow with White Ford Bronco. On Saturday, a pre-game concert starts at 3 p.m. by Hand Painted Swinger. There will be family-friendly activities such as face painting. At 5:37 p.m., fans without tickets can stay and watch the game. Bluejacket will be selling local craft beverages and local restaurants and food trucks will be selling food both days. Take a picnic to the park or grab take-out. Alcohol must be purchased on premise.
Oct. 3 and 4 starting at 3 p.m. both days before and after the Washington National’s playoff games at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour
Enjoy a Food Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Sample wines from 17 Virginia wineries while sitting on the lawn overlooking the Potomac. Visitors learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, enjoy live blues music and meet “George and Martha Washington” on the mansion’s piazza. Guests experience an evening tour of the Washingtons’ home and are invited to visit the basement where he stored his wine.
Oct. 3-5 from 6-9 p.m. at Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Va. Admission is $38 Friday or Sunday and $44 per person on Saturday here or at the door. Fruit and cheese boxes that served two people are available for $28.
Autumn Conservation Festival
This weekend is your chance to visit the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. The National Zoo’s breeding facility, is hosting its annual Autumn Conservation Festival. Visitors can meet the scientists that work there, and see some of the animals, including red panda cubs (if they aren’t too frightened by the noise).
Oct. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, Va. Admission is $30 per car for up to six people.
Russian Bazaar
Enjoy live, traditional music, homemade ethnic food, kids activities and tours of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral’s 17th Century-style Russian church while shopping imported handicrafts at its annual Russian Bazaar. Food includes beef stroganoff, golubtsy (stuffed cabbage rolls), begos (smoked sausage served with cabbage and sauerkraut), teftel’ki, (Russian meatballs in white sauce), pelmeni (meat dumplings), pirozhki stuffed with meat or sautéed cabbage, borsht, (beet soup), desserts and coffee.
Oct. 4 and 5 from noon-6 p.m. at St. John’s, 4001 17th St. NW. Admission is FREE!
Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest
Another weekend, another Oktoberfest. This one is celebrating its 15th year with more than 65 breweries, German music and local food vendors. A ticket gets you a glass and 10 beer tasting tickets. Additional tickets are $1 each, with a minimum purchase of five.
Oct. 4 from noon-7 p.m. at Capitol City Brewing Co., 4001 Campbell Ave., Shirlington. Cost is $30 at the gate.
Hair Cut-A-Thon
Look good while doing good and help make a difference with only one haircut. Bang Salon’s newest location at The Yards will host its fourth 12-hour marathon hair Cut-A-Thon in support of ovarian cancer education and awareness with 100 percent of proceeds from every haircut donated to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Complimentary champagne, mimosas and scrumptious appetizers will be served throughout the day.
Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. at Bang Salon at The Yards, 1212 4th St. SE. To schedule an appointment call 202-628-3222.
Empty Bowls
The Capital Area Food Bank’s annual fundraiser, Empty Bowls brings the community together through art, a bowl of sour and the desire to help in the struggle against hunger. Diners will receive a unique ceramic artisan bowl created by a local artist filled with soup from the area’s restaurants, bread and the warm feeling of helping nourish the community one bowl at a time. Participating restaurants include the British Embassy, Food & Friends, Geppetto Catering, Chef Matt Baker, Brookland’s Finest Bar and Kitchen, Cantina Marina, Panera Bread, Purple Onion Catering, Ris, Teaism, Corner Bakery Cafe and Busboys and Poets.
Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the FHI 360 Conference Center, Eighth Floor, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW. Cost is $25.
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.