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 Germantown

Grab & Go Kids Planner: September 14 - 20

Grab your calendar! The Great Frederick Fair opens this week and the Celebrate Gaithersburg festival is planned for Sunday.

There are some terrific events to enjoy this weekend in neighboring Gaithersburg and Frederick.  Don't miss Celebrate Gaithersburg — the planned events for kids were too numerous to include here and most are free.  Enjoy your week!  • TWILIGHT TOTS See Kidsinger Jim and his "POSITIVE-ly Fun" rock concert.  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, Sept. 14 Price: Free • GERMANTOWN-NORTH MOMS CLUB OPEN HOUSE Are you a stay-at-home mom looking to meet other moms? Come to the open house and learn more about MOMS Clubs in our area. The …

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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 24 - 30

Montgomery County Public Schools' Back-to-School Fair and BlackRock's Family Block Party are among this week's best bets for Germantown-area families.

It's hard to believe, but summer is rapidly drawing to a close.  Stretch out those last remaining days with a trip to the orchard, where peaches and raspberries are still ripe for the picking.  The Maryland State Fair and the Montgomery County Public Schools' Back-to-School Fair promise good times; BlackRock's Family Block Party is a must-see.  Here are this week's best bets for Germantown area families:   • PICK-YOUR-OWN PEACHES We're nearing the end of the season, but it's still a good time to pick this wonderful summertime staple.  Pick your fill of fresh peaches at $1.49 per pound.  You can bring your own container or purchase one there.  Call 301-977-3761 for more detailed crop information.   Where: Homestead Farm, 15604 Sugarland …

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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 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 & Go Germantown

Grab and Go Kids Planner: July 27 - August 2

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

Between the heat and the thunderstorms, this has been a tricky summer for outdoor plans!  Be sure to add some indoor events to round out your weekly calendar.  Here are some fun local activities — indoors and out — to consider:     • OPEN GYM AT ROMP N' ROLL Need a break from the heat?  Kids through age 6 will enjoy running around this indoor playground.  Open gym hours vary daily, but last at least two hours, with today's (Wednesday's) session slated from 1:45 to 7 p.m. and Friday's session from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Call 301-528-7655 for more information.  Where: Germantown Romp n' Roll When: weekday afternoons, call 301-528-7655 or check the website for details Price: Free for members; admission for non-members, $7 for one child or $10 for…

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Grab and Go Kids Planner: July 13 - 19

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

Along with some great concerts for kids, this is a good week to gain a new skill: drawing manga, learning to DJ, investigating crime.  Enjoy this week's family-friendly activities for Germantown families: • MORNING CONCERTS FOR KIDS This week, Leonardo brings his upbeat tunes to the concert stage. Take your blanket and sun block and arrive early to find a good space on the lawn. Concerts may be cancelled due to inclement weather.  Where: Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion When: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14 Price: Free • PASSPORT TO FUN EVENTS This summer program from Michaels travels the globe via crafts.  These make-it, take-it events are designed for ages 3 and older. This week, explore the art and culture of France (Thursday), the United …

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