This week, County Executive Marc Elrich shares two important conversations. First, he highlights a panel discussion at Bisnow’s Future of Montgomery County event, where he joined developer Dave Bramble of MCB Real Estate to discuss the future of the Viva White Oak project, the largest private investment in East County. Second, he features a media briefing exchange with Craig McLean, a Montgomery County resident and former NOAA Deputy Administrator, on federal attacks against science and the dangers of dismantling climate and weather research. The County Executive also reflects on the meaning of Labor Day and invites residents to join him at the Kensington Labor Day parade to support workers. In addition, he discusses a new innovative program with the police department and recognizes HHS outreach efforts supporting youth, families, and unhoused residents.
 Montgomery County Government will observe the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 1, with schedule and program changes for County offices and services. Residents should be aware of adjustments that may impact public facilities and services.
The Town of Kensington will host its 58th Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival from 10 a.m.- 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.
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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.
 More than 160,000 students returned to school and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) are asking residents to plan extra travel time and be alert to school buses and children traveling to and from school. MCPD officers will be across the County focusing on dangerous driving behaviors around school zones. All school buses are equipped with cameras to catch and fine drivers illegally passing stopped school buses.
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.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, announced $900,000 in funding for local, community-driven initiatives to enhance water quality. Through the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, Montgomery County nonprofit organizations, including local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations, and service and civic groups, may be eligible for grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to support projects to improve stream health and water quality.
 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 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, in the East-West Room at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Office.
 Join Community Reach of Montgomery County for an important panel discussion, “Understanding and Reporting Hate Bias and Crimes,” on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 7–9 p.m. at Living Faith Lutheran Church, located at 1605 Viers Mill Road in Rockville. The event will feature representatives from the Montgomery County Committee on Hate/Violence, Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery County Police Department. Panelists will discuss the differences between hate bias, hate incidents and hate crimes. MCPD will also share local hate/bias data, offer guidance for victims, and provide tips for fostering a more inclusive community.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s 2025 H2O Summit will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at M-NCPPC’s Wheaton Headquarters, 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton. Attendees can learn from experts, connect with others who share a passion for protecting water resources and explore innovative ways to make community waterways more resilient.
 Jobseekers 50 and older are invited to a free virtual Employment Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Participants can network with age-friendly employers, receive job search guidance and learn about new tools and strategies for finding employment. Each expo features multiple employers with full-time and part-time openings. Employers with at least three positions to fill are also encouraged to participate. Registration is free, and attendees may register for more than one expo at a time.
 September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and Montgomery County Public Libraries is encouraging residents to discover all the benefits a free library card provides. With just one card, residents can access research databases, early literacy programs, workforce development resources, streaming services, and the new mobile app. Library cards also open the door to cultural passes, language-learning tools, and thousands of e-books and audiobooks. Sign up today to Read. Learn. Grow.
Considering getting an electric vehicle? With federal EV tax credits ending after September 30th, now is a great time to learn more. Join the County's Department of Environmental Protection from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, for “Ask an EV Owner.” During the online event current EV owners and experts will talk about their experiences and answer questions about different EV models, tax incentives and EV charging.
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 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Wheaton Local Park. The park is located at 11729 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will offer low-cost adult bike classes and free e-scooter drop-in sessions throughout September, October and November. The lineup includes 11 Learn to Ride classes, one Basic Skills class and two walk-up e-scooter classes. Bike classes are $10 for County residents and free for WABA and Capital Bikeshare for All members, though registration is required. Bikes and helmets are provided. Classes are open to adults 18 and older and fill up quickly. E-scooter classes will follow bike sessions on Sept. 7 and Nov. 2. No registration is needed for scooters—just bring a valid ID.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) is streamlining the permitting process for applying and renewing annual fire code compliance (FCC) permits online. In Montgomery County, all commercial buildings and tenant spaces are required by law to have an FCC permit from DPS to ensure they meet established safety standards. Commercial building owners and business operators are responsible for renewing their FCC permits each year. This includes all businesses, childcare centers, group homes, health care facilities, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, retail, schools, and all other commercial buildings in Montgomery County.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hosting a series of public outreach events to provide information and gather feedback about a planned pilot program of a security robot in the Town Square Parking Garage in Silver Spring. The five-foot-tall security robot, named "Parker," is equipped with 360-degree security cameras and can navigate the garage’s parking decks using lidar, a sensor that detects objects in its path. MCDOT is planning a one-year pilot program to bolster the growing security effort that has been adding cameras to County parking garages over the last three years. The pilot program will help measure whether the robot’s presence deters crime.
 The Ethiopian Day Festival will be held from noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring. This free outdoor event celebrates Ethiopian culture, traditions, and community with live performances of traditional music and dance, a fashion show, comedy, an art exhibition, and a variety of Ethiopian foods and crafts. The festival also features business and art exhibits, offering local vendors a chance to showcase their products and services. The event promotes cultural understanding and unity among diverse communities while giving residents and visitors an opportunity to experience and appreciate the richness of Ethiopian heritage.
 Montgomery County has announced the complete multi-stage schedule for the Silver Spring Jazz Festival, which will be held from 3-10 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.
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The Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood will host "Bluegrass on the Farm" from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. The event promises live music, talented artists and an unforgettable atmosphere, featuring top local bluegrass musicians. 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.
Maryland Restaurant Week will kick off its fifth year on Friday, Sept. 12, and run through Sunday, Sept. 21. For 10 days, restaurants across the state will offer special menus, discounts or seasonal fare for dine-in, curbside pickup or carryout. There are no course requirements, prix-fixe menus or entry fees for participating restaurants. The statewide event is presented by the Restaurant Association of Maryland and its sponsors.
 Children and their families are invited to explore the science and art of gardening at Children’s Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Brookside Gardens. Participants will rotate through outdoor activity stations designed to educate and entertain. Bring your friends and family. Picnics are allowed only during this special event. Registration is encouraged but not required.
 Silver Spring Town Center Inc. will host the 12th Annual Harvest Moon Festival from 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. The event will feature live entertainment, cultural performances and seasonal festivities. The event is free.
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