This week, the County Executive discusses the increased National Guard presence in DC, criticizes the federalization of our neighbor's police force and weighs the potential impact on Montgomery County while highlighting the important work done in our County helping those experiencing homelessness. He puts a spotlight on a new report analyzing the impact of the federal workforce on Maryland. The County Executive emphasizes the importance of mRNA technology in modern healthcare while reacting to Secretary Kennedy's decision to cut half a billion dollars in research funding. He celebrates a new addition to the Montgomery County Ag Reserve, then provides reminders about the concluding County Ag Fair and Maryland's Tax-Free Week.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, will host 12 "Community Conversations" from September through November to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget. The first conversation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, in the East-West Room at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Office.
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg runs 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.
The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) will host another Rent Stabilization Webinar for Landlords on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. The webinar will cover the Rent Stabilization Law and Executive Regulations.
Effective July 1, 2025, Montgomery County’s rent stabilization increase allowance will be 5.7 percent, a decrease from the 2024 allowance of 6 percent. This adjustment follows the guidelines set by Montgomery County’s Rent Stabilization law, which bases the rent increase allowance on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Area (CPI-U) plus 3 percent or 6 percent, whichever is lower. For 2025, the applicable CPI-U is 2.7 percent.
All MCPS students and families are invited to attend the 2025 MCPS Back-to-School Fair at Westfield Wheaton from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23. Learn about the school system, county programs and services while enjoying free music, entertainment, giveaways and youth activities.
Highlights include an interactive session teaching essential bike safety skills, a demonstration offering drug education tips to help parents identify the danger signs and a free school immunization clinic.
 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.
 WorkSource Montgomery has appointed Michael Covin as the director of the Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center—a new resource launching this Fall to support displaced federal workers, contractors and professionals impacted by workforce shifts. Located at the Wheaton American Job Center, this dedicated space will serve as a comprehensive hub for displaced federal workers, contractors, and others navigating career transitions due to federal workforce reductions.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting an in-person public meeting on the US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase 2 project at Four Corners Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Silver Spring from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, followed by a Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting from 7-8 p.m. Four Corners Ethiopian Evangelical Church is located at 33 University Boulevard East in Silver Spring.
The first hour of the meeting will be a public meeting focused on bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The second hour of the meeting will be the CAC meeting, which will focus on the preliminary design of the Flash BRT facilities on the corridor. Both portions of the meeting are open to the public and people are encouraged to attend.
The Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood will host "Bluegrass on the Farm" from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. The event promises live music, talented artists and an unforgettable atmosphere, featuring top local bluegrass musicians who will take the stage to deliver memorable performances. Located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood, the Agricultural History Farm Park, with its lush green fields, trees, and rustic farm buildings, provides the perfect backdrop for this bluegrass musical extravaganza. The event is rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the bands will perform inside the large barn; however, no refunds will be issued.
 Montgomery County has announced the complete multi-stage schedule for the Silver Spring Jazz Festival, which will be held from 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Veterans Plaza in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District.
The festival, which is free to the public, will feature two stages with a wide range of jazz genres, including samba and Latin jazz, straight-ahead jazz, New Orleans-style jazz and elements of go-go, funk and jazz-influenced blues and folk. This year’s headliner is the renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
 In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) will host a free Ready Montgomery: Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Fair on Saturday, Sept. 13. The Public Safety Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wheaton Local Park, located at 11729 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County is actively looking for several people who are passionate about helping the community to fill openings on the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC). The CDAC reviews requests submitted by nonprofit organizations that unlock federal grant money intended to improve neighborhoods and create housing opportunities in low- and moderate-income areas.
County Executive Marc Elrich is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. If you are interested, please apply by the deadline, Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Registration for Montgomery County Recreation’s fall programs is now open for most activities. 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.
 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.
 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!
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.
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The Town of Kensington will host its 58th Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1, 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 at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1 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.
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 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. 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.
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