1. Columbus Day Parade,
5K Race & Commemoration
• Oct. 2; visit promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org
for more info
• 1200 Bank St., Baltimore, MD
The Columbus Day Parade and
Commemoration put on by the
Italian community in Baltimore is the
longest-running parade in the country
honoring Christopher Columbus. The
festivities begin with a mass at St.

Leo the Great Church and continue
with a wreath-laying ceremony, bocce
tournament, live music, dancing in the
street and then the parade.

2. Fairfax Fall Festival
• Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Free admission
• Old Town Square, Fairfax, VA
For more than 35 years, the Fairfax
Fall Festival, in historic downtown
Fairfax, has provided locals with a
lively celebration of community talent
and a fun-filled carnival with all the
rides and delicious eats you’d expect.

Guests can enjoy more than 400 arts
and crafts displays, three stages of live
music performances, an assortment of
food vendors and plenty of activities
for younger attendees.

3. All Things Go Fall Classic
• Oct. 8; visit allthingsgofallclassic.com
for ticket info
• Union Market, 1309 5th St NE,
Washington, D.C.

44 October 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
From the shining sun ‘til the glowing
moon, anything goes at this fall festival
in Washington D.C. A slew of artists
bring their electro-pop sounds to
compete with the sound of rustling
leaves and enthusiastic fans. Local
D.C. chefs will also be there to cook
you up some delicious flavor to keep
you fueled throughout the festival.

4. Das Best Oktoberfest
• Oct. 8, noon-2 p.m. VIP Admission, 2-6 p.m.

Regular Admission; visit dasbestoktoberfest.

com for ticket info
• M&T Bank Stadium Lots, Baltimore, MD
This Oktoberfest boasts 150
international, domestic and local beers,
wines and Schnapps, live oompah
bands and hilarious competitions.

Wear your best German garb and
receive a free souvenir bag!
5. Taste of DC
• Oct. 8, 1-8 p.m. and Oct. 9, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

visit thetasteofdc.org for ticket info
• Pennsylvania Ave., NW & 7th St. NW
Washington, D.C.

Taste of DC packs four blocks of
Pennsylvania Avenue with area
restaurants, great drinks, lively
entertainment, engaging corporate
partners and fellow Washingtonians
and visitors. This culinary festival is a
cultural gathering of the best local food
in the nation’s capitol. Participating
restaurants in the vicinity offer tastings
and other in-house specials.

6. Maryland Pumpkin Festival
at Summers Farm
• Oct. 8-9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

visit summersfarm.com for ticket info
• 5620 Butterfly Ln., Frederick, MD
Celebrate all things pumpkin at
Summers Farm with seasonal activities
like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin
patches, pig races, jumping pillows,
egg hunts, pumpkin painting and
more. Live music and delicious
food will add to the already-awesome
festivities — don’t miss this special
two-day celebration for the
whole family.

7. Virginia Fall Races
• Oct. 8-9, starting at 9:30 a.m.; visit vafallraces.

com/Home for more info
• Glenwood Park, 36787 Glenwood Park Ln.

Middleburg, VA
Experience an annual fall tradition
in the countryside with cheering
fans and the storming of thundering
hooves. Drawing crowds in excess of
7,000, this equestrian event combines
the thrills of steeplechase with the
genteel, social atmosphere of a day
in the countryside. Spectators sit in
the shade of 100-year-old oak trees
at the oldest continuously used race
course in Virginia. Children can enjoy
the petting zoo and pony rides. Food
trucks will be onsite, and various
vendors will be selling everything
from hats to horsey jewelry.