Readers' Gallery: Share Your Fall Family Fun Photos

What are your favorite things to do with family in the fall?

  Whether it's apple picking, hay rides or even going to a frightfest— the arrival of fall offers a ton of opportunities for family fun. Since today marks the first day of autumn, we were hoping you'd share some photos of what your family likes to do this season. Add your photos by clicking the "Upload Photos and Video" button above this article. Leave suggestions of great family events or activities in the DC Metro region in our comments section below!

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Grab & Go Germantown

Grab & Go Kids Planner: September 28 - October 4

This weekend, Germantown is home to Nightmare Screamplex, the 2011 Pumpkin Festival at Butler's Orchard and Germantown Oktoberfest.

Fall is here, complete with apple picking, fall festivals and trips to the pumpkin patch.  There's plenty to do around town this weekend, including a visit to the 29th Annual Germantown Oktoberfest on Saturday.  Here are this week's best bets for Germantown area families:   • NIGHTMARE SCREAMPLEX Get into the Halloween spirit with this spooky trio of fright: the nightmare forest, the (corn) maize of terror, and the lost asylum.  Described as the "biggest and scariest haunted event in the tri-state area," this activity, for ages 9 and older, will recur on weekends through Nov. 5.  Check the schedule for details.   Where: Maryland SoccerPlex, 18031 Central Park Circle, Boyds  When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1 Price: $…

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Grab & Go Kids Planner: September 21 - 27

Grab your calendar! This week, your kids can go on a teddy bear hunt, learn to fish, and earn a junior detective badge.

This week's events are fun and eclectic: learn to be a detective, hunt for teddy bears, make a hat for your doll and more!  Here are this week's best bets for Germantown area families:   • THE GREAT FREDERICK FAIR Still haven't made it to a fair this year?  Drive to neighboring Frederick County, Md., and enjoy live music, a kids expo, farm animals, a jousting exhibition, a birthing center (with baby piglets) and more!  Check the schedule of events for details.  Where: Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick Street, Frederick  When: 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily, Wednesday, Sept. 21, through Saturday, Sept. 24 Price: $7 for adults, free for kids 10 and younger; various discounts apply.  Parking costs $7 onsite or $5 offsite.  Carnival hours and …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner: Sept. 7 - 13

Grab your calendar! The annual Germantown fire and police departments' community open house is this weekend. Don't miss it!

Hopefully, your family had a wonderful Labor Day weekend and everyone has settled back into their school-year routines.  This weekend, however, offers two special events to spice things back up: the annual Germantown fire and police departments' community open house and the Damascus Community Fair.  Enjoy!  • CHILDREN'S STORY TIME Listen to readings of popular children's stories at the stage in the children's section.    Where: Barnes & Noble at the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg When: 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays Price: Free • DAMASCUS COMMUNITY FAIR It's the 66th year for this annual, family-friendly event.  Bring the kids along to enjoy the pet show, children's pedal tractor pull, veggie races, hay rides, live music and more…

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Grab & Go Germantown

Grab and Go Kids Planner: Aug. 31 - Sept. 6

Gaithersburg's 73rd Annual Labor Day Parade and Black Hill Regional Park's Monarch Fiesta Day are among this week's best bets for Germantown area families.

It's hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and that a new school year is upon us. Fortunately, there are some wonderful family-friendly events in our area this week to help make that back-to-school transition a little easier:   • TWILIGHT TOTS See Beowulf T. Wonderbunny and the "Traveling Show of Mystery," complete with magic and juggling.  In case of inclement weather, concerts may be moved indoors to the RIO center atrium; check the Washingtonian Center Facebook page for updated information.   Where: Lakefront Plaza, Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg When: 6 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 31 Price: Free • KID'S CLUB Parents, drop off your older kids — ages 6 through teens — for an evening spent painting pottery, complete with …

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Grab & Go Germantown

Grab and Go Kids Planner: August 17 - 23

Shop Maryland Week, the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair and live concerts are some of this week's best bets for Germantown area families.

Do you want to sign your kids up for sports programs and fall enrichment classes?  The Montgomery County Department of Recreation just released its Fall 2011 Guide to Recreation and Park Programs.  Sign up for classes now at RecWeb. This is also a great week to finish your back-to-school shopping.  Now through Saturday, Sept. 20, the state of Maryland has suspended state sales tax on qualifying purchases of apparel and shoes $100 or less as part of Shop Maryland Week.  For more detailed information, call 800-MD-TAXES or 410-260-7980. Are you looking for something fun to do with the family?  Check out the great line-up of events in our area this week:  • TWILIGHT TOTS John Henry England, known as The Guitar Man, plays music that gets all …

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Grab & Go Germantown

Grab and Go Kids Planner: August 10 - 16

Grab your calendars! Here are this week's best bets for Germantown-area families.

As summer vacation winds to a close, be sure to take advantage of some classic summertime fun, like an outdoor concert, the county fair or hand-picked fresh fruit.  Consider these great options as you plan your week:   • 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Chick-fil-A is celebrating their 10th year in Germantown with free giveaways and nightly family friendly events. Bring the kids for face-painting tonight, balloon animals on Thursday and live music on Friday and Saturday.  Special meal deals and giveaways will be held throughout the week. Where: Germantown Chick-fil-A, 19945 Century Blvd When: 6 to 8 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 13 Price: Free for activities (food extra) • PICK-YOUR-OWN RED RASPBERRIES Raspberries …

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Grab & Go Germantown

Grab and Go Kids Planner: August 3 - 9

Grab your calendars! Here are this week's best bets for Germantown area families.

This week, live performances top the list of family-oriented fun in the Germantown area.  Choose from a wide range of shows, from science to magic to Sousa:  • TWILIGHT TOTS Eric Energy makes learning science fun with lively, interactive performances.  Please note, the show may be cancelled due to inclement weather.  Where: Lakefront Plaza, Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg When: 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 3 Price: Free • PICK-YOUR-OWN PEACHES It's time for peach cobbler!  Pick your fill of fresh peaches at $1.49 per pound.  You can bring your own container or purchase one there.  Where: Homestead Farm, 15604 Sugarland Road in Poolesville When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (fields close at 5:30 p.m.) Price: Cost of peaches (and container…

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Grab and Go Kids Planner: July 20 - 26

Grab your calendars! Here are this week's best bets for Germantown area families.

This weekend, visit our local farms during the 2011 Farm Tour and Harvest Sale.  Twelve farms are participating in this year's event, including Butler's Orchard.  If that doesn't grab you, try one of these local family-themed events this week: • TWILIGHT TOTS Oh Susannah! brings her "parent-friendly" music to the RIO tonight with a concert for all ages. Please note, performances may be cancelled due to inclement weather.  Where: Lakefront Plaza, Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg When: 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 20 Price: Free • MR GABE'S MUSIC FOR CHILDREN Children 6 and under will enjoy singing along with Mr. Gabe and his guitar.  Pick up a free ticket at the Germantown Public Library prior to the show to reserve your space.  Where: …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner: June 29 - July 5

Grab your calendars! Here are this week's best bets for Germantown area families.

Happy Independence Day to all of our Germantown Patch families!  On Monday, July 4, be sure to catch the Montgomery Village Independence Day parade.  Registration starts at 9 a.m., with the parade beginning at 10 a.m.  Following the parade, a community festival runs until 2 p.m. at the Apple Ridge Recreation Area, complete with carnival games and live music.  To learn more, call the Montgomery Village Foundation at 301-948-0110.  On the evening of July 4, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform at Germantown Glory at the South Germantown Recreational Park's SoccerPlex.  Live music begins around 7:30 p.m. with fireworks starting around 9:15 p.m.  Admission and parking are free, but come early to find your parking space.  For more …

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