This week, the County Executive has an extensive conversation with housing policy analysts about the steps to take to make the community more affordable to more people. He also talks about an emotional ceremony recently that brought together a 12-year-old and the Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department members who helped rescue him. The County Executive talks about a community project that brings the Kemp Mill community closer together and acknowledges new accolades for Bethesda and Rockville, now listed as some of the nation's safest suburbs. He also pays tribute to the County's longtime Register of Wills, the late Joe Griffin.
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair returns to Gaithersburg through Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. A local tradition since 1949, the Fair continues to draw crowds eager to explore exhibits, enjoy entertainment and see more than 5,000 farm animals. The entrance to the Fairgrounds is located at 501 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg.
 Drop the needle and join the groove! Vinyl Day is back at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This free, all-ages event celebrates Montgomery County’s music, arts and DJ culture with a day packed full of hands-on activities, live performances and community fun. Spin some records, try your hand at graffiti art, learn to scratch like a pro and don’t miss keynote speaker DJ GI Joe at 2 p.m. From STEMusic concerts for kids to workshops for aspiring DJs, there’s something for everyone.
 American Diversity Group Cares will offer free specialty medical consultations on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in partnership with the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America. The clinic, open every weekend, provides free, culturally competent medical consultations for uninsured individuals, with a focus on prevention, wellness and chronic disease management. Services are available to all residents regardless of medical coverage. For more information, email amdivgroup@gmail.com.
 |
Get ready to save! Maryland’s annual Tax-Free Week runs from Sunday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 16. During this week, qualifying clothing and footwear items priced at $100 or less are exempt from the state’s 6% sales tax. The first $40 of each backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. This is a great time to stock up on back-to-school essentials or everyday basics while keeping more money in your pocket. Whether you shop in-store or online, make sure to check that your items qualify and your purchase is completed during the tax-free period.
Montgomery County offers free travel training workshops for residents aged 50 and older to build confidence using public transportation. The next half-day workshop will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Rockville Senior Center. The training will help residents 50 and older become confident and comfortable using public transit in Montgomery County. These workshops, provided by Connect-A-Ride, are designed to help adults feel comfortable and confident using local Metro bus and rail and MCDOT Ride On buses. The training is free, but advance registration is required. To register, call Connect-A-Ride at 240-738-3252.
|
Registration for Montgomery County Recreation’s fall programs will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, for most activities. Registration for senior programs, including popular offerings like Bone Builders, Day Trippers and Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation, will open later that morning at 9 a.m. Non-County residents can begin registering on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 a.m. To prepare, residents are encouraged to explore the Fall GUIDE, a comprehensive digital catalog featuring hundreds of programs, classes, sports leagues, trips, events and other activities. Offerings include aquatics, fitness, sports, education, health and wellness, art, music, therapeutic recreation and programming for adults 55 and over.
 |
The Nighthawks will perform a free concert at the Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. The all-ages event will feature live music in a scenic outdoor setting beginning at sunset. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including pizza from El Jefe Woodfired Pizza and craft beer from Waredaca Brewing Company.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is installing real-time bus arrival displays at high-ridership bus stops and transit centers across the County. The technology, referred to as ePaper and supplied by Connectpoint, is a digital display presenting real-time bus arrival information with an audio readout and text-to-speech button known as Falcon. The MCDOT Division of Transit is currently implementing the screens at 100 bus stops across the County. Approximately 50 screens have been installed as of mid-July.
Montgomery County will host a remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Downtown Rockville to remember loved ones who have died by overdose. The event will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about overdoses and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. It also serves as a prelude to the observance of National Recovery Month in September. Those wishing to have a loved one memorialized in a commemorative photo display can submit a photo (an individual photo with no one else in the picture). The deadline for submissions is Monday, Aug. 18. Submit photos and information here.
 Montgomery County’s Commission on Aging will host a free community event from 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Poolesville Presbyterian Church (Speer Hall), located at 17800 Elgin Road in Poolesville. Registration is required. The event will highlight County programs and services that help support older adults remain active, healthy and independent. Topics include wellness and recreation activities, caregiving resources, meal programs, transportation options and lifelong learning and employment opportunities. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet members of the Commission on Aging and share feedback on issues affecting older adults in Montgomery County.
 Whether you're starting pre-K, heading into high school, or planning a career change, Montgomery County Public Libraries is here to help. The new Student Hub is a one-stop destination for free tutoring and test prep, early literacy programs, career tools and job support, college and scholarship resources, and even our brand-new mobile app. Visit the Student Hub and start the school year strong!
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is offering free back-to-school vaccinations for school-aged children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade at multiple locations across the County from now through the end of September. These vaccinations are available at no cost to children who live in Montgomery County and are missing any required immunizations to attend school. Vaccination offerings include Tdap, Meningococcal (MCV4), Meningococcal B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Varicella (chickenpox). There are four centers around the County to serve you by appointment.
 Montgomery County residents should prepare for a boom in the spotted lanternfly population over the next three to five years, says the County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). The invasive species, native to Southeast Asia, was first detected in the United States in eastern Pennsylvania in September 2014, and spread to Cecil County, Maryland, in October 2018. The insects were first spotted in Montgomery County in 2022 and have grown in population ever since. MCDOT officials say some parts of the County may see population levels similar to the Cicada Brood X emergence in 2021.
Montgomery Parks is inviting the public to vote for a new mural design for the activity building at Glenmont Local Park. From Aug. 4 through Aug. 24, community members can choose their favorite design from four mural concepts. Voting is available online through Engage Montgomery Parks, by U.S. mail or by email. To view the four designs and learn more about the contest, visit the Montgomery Parks website.
The Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for its Class of 2026. Eligible nominees include athletes, coaches, journalists, officials and others who have made significant contributions to sports in Montgomery County or brought recognition to the County through their achievements. Nominations can be made online. All nominations submitted by Sunday, Aug. 31, will be considered by the nonprofit organization. Inductees will be selected by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors and announced in September. They will be honored at a ceremony on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
 Bring your canine companion for a splashing good time at Montgomery County Recreation's Pooch Pool Party. The event is being held at the Upper County Outdoor Pool (8211 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg) on Saturday, Aug. 23, and Sunday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's the perfect way for your dog to swim and enjoy the water before the pool is closed and cleaned for the winter. The cost is $10, and registration is required. Please remember to bring written proof of your dog's current rabies vaccination, as it is mandatory for admission. Each dog must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Don't miss out on this pawsome event!
 Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week will take place from Monday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 24. Participating locations will offer three-course menus for brunch, lunch and dinner. Browse locations and check back often, as new restaurants will join the promotion daily.
The Town of Kensington will host its 58th Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival on Monday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. The parade will begin on Plyers Mill Road and proceed to the Noyes Library, featuring dance groups, marching bands, equestrian groups, floats and fire trucks from the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department. As the parade makes its way through town, Armory Avenue will come alive with the festival, offering food vendors, beer and wine, live music and a bounce house for children.
 The City of Gaithersburg will celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the 87th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. in Olde Towne. Presented by the City of Gaithersburg and the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Department, the parade will feature high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, antique cars and fire engines, equestrian units, clowns and more as they travel down East Diamond and Russell avenues. Food vendors will be available at Olde Towne Plaza and in the parking lot next to the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Station.
 Mark your calendars for one of Montgomery County’s biggest music events of the year. The 2025 Silver Spring Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 6, with Preservation Hall Jazz Band headlining the night. The free festival runs from 3-10 p.m. at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring, with the headliner taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a full lineup of jazz performances, food vendors, a beer garden, and fun for all ages.
|
