Pumpkin Festival, Zombie Walk on Tap

Fall is in the DMV in full force with leaves turning yellows and orange, and starting to fill our yards. With only a week until Halloween, there’s plenty of holiday events from a Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchards in Germantown and a Zombie Walk in Silver Spring, to a harvest festival at National Geographic to the annual High Heel Race on 17th Street NW. And of course, many bars will be celebrating with parties and crawls. There’s plenty other events on tap to fill your weekend too.

This weekend, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow and Green line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals, except at Greenbelt, Landover and New Carollton stations. The Greenbelt station will be closed, and buses will replace trains between Greenbelt and College Park. Travelers should allow an extra 15 minutes. At Landover and New Carrollton stations, trains will arrive and depart every 20-25 minutes between 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Red Line trains will operate every 24 minutes with additional trains running about every 12 minutes between Medical Center and NoMa-Gallaudet from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. On Sunday, Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. for the Marine Corps Marathon.

Visitors to Butler’s Orchard’s Pumpkin Festival can ride in a pumpkin carriage. (Photo: Alex Gladshtein/Flickr)

Pumpkin Festival

It’s time for Butler’s Orchard’s 34th annual Pumpkin Festival. Admission includes free hayrides, a twisted pumpkin corn maze, straw maze, a pumpkin coach ride (pictured above), pedal tractors, barnyard animals, giant slides, a corn home, a corn box, a spider web and admission to Pumpkinland along with live music. There is also a pumpkin cannon, pony rides, face painting and kids crafts for additional fees. Food for sale includes pit beet, cider, caramel apples, apple cider donuts and more.

Oct 25 and 26 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Butler’s Orchard, 222000 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Md. Admission is $11. Children under 2 are free.

Craft 2 Wear

Alexandria artist Susan Sanders will be selling her bracelets at the Smithsonian’s Crafts 2 Wear. (Photo: Susan Sanders)

Craft 2 Wear is a show and sale of wearable art. Jewelry, clothing and accessories from over 50 craft artists, who have all be juried into past Smithsonian craft shows will be selling their wares.

Oct. 24 from 5:30-9 p.m., Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Oct. 26 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is $65 for the advance chance party includes wine and a light buffet on Friday and $8 cash at the door Saturday and Sunday.
 
 

Walk to End HIV

Walks at the Start of last year’s AIDS Walk, now Walk to End HIV. (Photo: World on a Ping)

Formerly Aids Walk Washington, the Walk to End HIV is a fundraiser for Whitman-Walker Health. This year’s event includes both a 5K walk and run, traveling the same 5 kilometer route along sections of Pennsylvania Avenue NW and around part of the National Mall along Independence Avenue SW. The walk and run begin and end at Freedom Plaza. Same-day registration and other activities, including an “uplifting program of music, speakers and warm-up exercises,” precede the walk at Freedom Plaza at 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. A post-walk celebration, including performances and awards, is scheduled to begin in Freedom Plaza at 10 a.m. Entertainment includes performances by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, Shi-Queeta Lee and Drag City, and Kaution Dance Kru.

Oct. 25 with registration, speakers and warm-up start at 7. a.m., the run starts at 9:15 a.m. and the walk steps off at 9:20 a.m. Walk registration is $25. Run registration is full. Admission is FREE!

Harvest Festival

A free Harvest Festival will be held at the National Geographic Museum. Admission to the Food exhibit is NOT included. (Photo: National Geographic Museum)

In conjunction with National Geographic’s exhibit “Food: Our Global Kitchen,” the museum will hold a daylong Harvest Festival that includes composting and pickling classes, cooking demonstrations and, of course, delicious food including samples from Sweetgreen, apple varieties from Arcadia, induldge in Nicecream Factory’s liquid nitrogen ice cream. You can make a smoothie using a bike-powered blender, help DC Central Kitchen make a garden in the bed of a pick-up truck and play food-related games.

Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Admission is FREE!

Fall Frolic

Kids can decorate pumpkins Saturday at Glen Echo Park’s Fall Frolic. (Photo: Glen Echo Park)

Glen Echo Park Partnership hosts its annual Halloween-themed Fall Frolic. Visitors of all ages are invited to the park to explore the arts through hands-on crafts, Halloween activities, trick-or-treating and visiting open studios. It’s a safe and fun Halloween event with something for everyone! For the kids, there will be pumpkin decorating and face painting ($1 fee for pumpkin; $1 and $2 for face painting). All other craft activities and trick-or-treating are FREE! The Halloween celebration will conclude with a costume parade through the park at 3:30 p.m. (weather-permitting).

Oct. 25 from 1-4 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md. Admission is FREE!

Silver Spring Zombie Walk

Silver Spring’s Zombie Walk and dance will happen Saturday night. (Photo: The Spider Hill/Flickr)

It’s the night of the walking dead as zombies invade Silver Spring during the Silver Spring Zombie Walk. The walk starts at Sligo Avenue and Georgia Avenue. After winding it way through downtown, the walk ends at the AFI Silver Theatre, which will show the 1985 classic Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead at 10:30 p.m. There will be a free Zombie Dance Party at Downtown Silver Spring at 8 p.m.

Oct. 25 starting at 9 p.m. at Sligo and Georgia Avenues. The walk and dance are free, movie admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children online or at the box office.

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight performs at the Howard Theatre. (Photo: Gladys Knight)

The Empress of Soul returns to Washington on the heels of her new gospel album, Where My Heart Belongs. And even though she’s touring without the Pips, it doesn’t mean you won’t hear hits like Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard It Through the Grapevine.

Oct 25 starting at 8 p.m. at Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Tickets are $102.50.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon is Sunday starting on Route 110 between the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP)

The Marine Corps Marathon is back this weekend taking participants on a 26.2 mile journey through Rosslyn, Georgetown, The Kennedy Center, The National Mall, West Potomac Park, Tidal Basin, Crystal City, the Pentagon, past Arlington National Cemetery to the finish line near the Marine Corps War Memorial. The Arlington Cemetery Metro Station will be closed until 8:30 a.m. Many streets will be closed also, some as early as Saturday. You can see the full list of street closures here.

Oct. 26 starting between the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery on Route 110. Wheelchair and hand cycle participants will begin at 7:40 a.m. followed by runners at 7:55 a.m. Viewing is FREE!

Fashion Yards

Fashion Yards at Yards Park is back on Sunday with more vendors. (Photo: Gilt City)

After a successful summer edition, Fashion Yards returns for another gathering of fashion trucks and pop-up vendors. Organizers promise more menswear, shoes and unique accessories this go-ground. Fashion trucks include Pichardo Boutique, Tin Lizzy, Urban Pearl, Strut DC, Street Boutique, The Thread Truck and Craft Commons. Pop-up vendors include Bespoke Not Broke, The Pink Armoire, Duo DC, Evo Furniture Gallery, Bull and Moose, Stubble and Stache, Hippgyps, Carnelian Boutique, Handmade Habitat, Lettie Gooch, Reddz Trading, ADMK Jewelry, Saadia Arts, Typecase Industries, Rosies and Rockers, DeNada, The Vintageista and Dawn Price Baby.

Oct. 26 from 1-5 p.m. a the Yards Park, 300 Tingey St. SE. Admission is FREE!

High Heel Race

Drag queens will return to 17th Street NW on Tuesday for the annual High Heel Race. (Photo: Metro Weekly)

The 28th annual 17th Street High Heel Race brings together drag queens to run in high heels on 17th street between P and S streets NW near Dupont Circle. This tradition has occurred every year since 1986.

Oct. 28 with the parade starting and 7 p.m. and the race taking place at 9 p.m. Racers should sign in at Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW, and bring high heeled shoes that are at least two inches tall. Admission and registration are FREE!

Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo bring his Talk Dirty tour to the Fillmore on Tuesday. (Photo: Jason Derulo)

Jason Derulo is known for two things: emphatically singing his name during songs and emphatically singing about butts. But according to a recent Rolling Stone interview, the Wiggle and Talk Dirty singer isn’t going to do either for much longer. So if those are the things you love about the rising R&B star, you might want to catch him when he performs in Silver Spring on Tuesday.

Oct. 28 starting at 8 p.m. at the Fillmore, 8656 Colesville Road, Silverspring. Tickets are $43.

This is Halloween weekend and there are all kinds of haunted happenings to fill your time. Don’t forget to check out the many haunted houses in the DMV. Other events on the calendar include the 27th AIDS Walk Washington, a Halloween scavenger hunt in Old Town Alexandria and a Halloween bar crawl in the Dupont area on Saturday. For more family-friendly there’s the fall harvest days both Saturday and Sunday at Mount Vernon or the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday with a kids festival featuring a variety of activities including the arts and crafts with the National Children’s Museum, face painting, moonbounces, balloon animals, circus activities and more! And on Tuesday, don’t miss the 27th annual 17th Street High Heel drag race. Have a hair-raising weekend!

The 2012 AIDS Walk Washington. (Photo: Ward Morrison/Metro Weekly)

27th AIDS Walk Washington

AIDS Walk Washington is a fundraising walk and 5K timed run benefiting and produced by Whitman-Walker Health, a non-profit community-based health organization which provides comprehensive and accessible health care to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The Courage Award will be presented to the late Sean Sasser, an HIV activist and ex-boyfriend of MTV’s The Real World San Francisco‘s Pedro Zamora, who dies in August. Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, international leaders in the home fashion industry, will be the grand marshals. Streets along the route — Pennsylvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza to Third Street NW, Third Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to D Street SW, D Street SW from Third to Fourth Streets SW, Fourth Street from D Street to Independence Avenue SW and Independence Avenue SW from Seventh to Third Streets SW will be closed during the walk.

Saturday with and events beginning at 7 a.m. at Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th Street NW. Music, speakers and warm-up begins at 8:15 a.m. The 5K timed run begins at 9:15 a.m. followed by the walk at 9:20 a.m. Music and recognition of top fundraising individuals and teams will begin at 10 a.m. Walk registration is $25; students and seniors walk registration is $15. Register here.Online registration for the 5K timed run is closed, but you can register in person on Friday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Pacers-Logan Circle. All dontations are tax deductible.

Haunted Halloween Old Town Scavenger Hunt

Old Town’s Haunted Scavenger Hunt (Photo: On Tap Magazine)

If you thought you knew Alexandria, think again as On Tap Magazine and King Street Cats take to the streets the third annual Haunted Halloween Old Town Scavenger Hunt. Along the way we’ll visit five of Old Town’s best bars, enjoying tricks and treats inside. Participating locations include Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, Virtue Feed & Grain, Fish Market, Red Rocks and Chadwick’s. The first 100 people to register receive a free tee shirt. The grand prize is $500. Extra points for those who show up in their most ghoulish attire. If you make it alive, there will be a ghostly affair at the end for all who dare to participate with complimentary appetizers, refreshments and a charity raffle.

Saturday from 1-7 p.m. Cost is $10 per person and includes the hunt, pre- and post parties, appetizers and more. To sign your team up click here. A portion of proceeds to benefit King Street Cats animal rescue.

Nightmare on M Street

Trick-or-Drink your way around 34 Dupont bars at D.C.’s largest roaming costume party, the 14th annual Nightmare on M Street Halloween bar tour. Participants won’t pay a cover charge at any of the bars. Specials include $2 Coors Lights, $3 Blue Moons and Red Bulls, $4 Bacardi drinks and Monster Energy. There will be other food and shot special at each location. Costume contests will be held at The Exchange Saloon and McFadden’s.

Saturday from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets cost $30 in advance by clicking here. Prices will go up before Saturday. Participants must check in at The Front Page, The Exchange Saloon, Maddy’s Bar & Grille or McFadden’s between 5-10 p.m. to receive a wristband. Tickets may be available at the registration locations if any remain.

Fall Harvest Family Days

A straw bale maze is part of Mount Vernon’s Fall Harvest Family Days. (Photo: Mount Vernon)

Mount Vernon welcomes the autumn season withFall Harvest Family Days. The entire family enjoys autumn activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demonstrations, a straw bale maze, farrier (blacksmithing) demonstrations, apple-roasting, corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price this weekend only.

Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Fall Harvest Family Days is included in regular estate admission, which ranges from $17 for adults to free for chidlren 5 and under. Tickets are available here.

38th Marine Corps Marathon

The start of the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon. (Photo: Marine Corps Marathong/Flickr)

The 26.2 mile Marine Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday. Metro rail will open at 5 a.m. The closest Metro access to the start is the Pentagon station. Arlington Cemetery Station will be closed until 8:30 a.m. The race begins on Route 110 halway between the Pentagon and Arlington Memoria Drive and finishes at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Free shuttles are available for runners and spectators starting at 5:30 a.m. from the Crystal City parking area to Runners Village in the Pentagon North parking lot. Staff Sgt. James Sides of Gainesville, Fla., Who was wounded in Afghanistan a year ago, will join fellow Marine and Army veterans parachuting from a fixed wing aircraft immediately before the start of the Marathon, landing at 7:34 a.m. on Route 110 with a 7,800 square foot flag. Streets will close between 4:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on a rollling basis. A complete list of streets and times is available here.

Sunday beginning at 7:40 a.m. for wheelchair and hand cycle participants and 7:55 a.m. for runners. The start line is located on Route 110 (all lanes) halfway between the Pentagon and Arlington Memorial Drive.

17th Street High Heel Race

The starting line at the 2012 17th Street High Heel Race. (Photo: Ward Morrison/Metro Weekly)

The 27th 17th Street High Heel Race is held the Tuesday before Halloween each year. Thousands of spectators flock to Dupont Circle to watch costumed drag queens show off their elaborate outfits and race down 17th Street. The parade begins at 7 p.m. with the race at 9 p.m.

Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. on 17th Street between P and S Streets NW near Dupont Circle. Free. The race starts at 9 p.m. in front of Cobalt and ends at JRs Bar & Grill.