WHEATON, Md.— Temps are warming up and so are the offerings at Montgomery Parks. Be cool at Roller Disco, chill at an ice-skating show, enjoy a cold beverage at Acoustics and Ales and explore our Open Parkways at Sligo Creek Fest.
Montgomery Parks’ May events highlights include:
Sligo Creek Fest | May 4 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sligo Creek Parkway will be transformed into a street festival for residents of all ages to enjoy. Attendees can expect to see live music, street performers, and kids’ entertainers as they explore the parkway. Hands-on activities will be provided by a variety of community groups and organizations as well as different departments in Montgomery Parks. Local food vendors will be lined up on the parkway to serve savory snacks and sweet treats for purchase. For adults, ages 21 and up, enjoy a cold beer from a local brewery tent on-site.
Bird Walk: A Film Screening and Panel Discussion | May 4 | 10–11:15 a.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
The film explores how a former golf course in Rockville became an oasis for birds and birders and highlights the grassroots campaign that helped preserve the 131-acre site as a public park. A panel discussion will follow, moderated by the film’s director, Cintia Cabib with panelists Vickie Baily, nature photographer, Emily Huang, vice president of the Montgomery Bird Club and Dianna Loescher, senior natural resources specialist at Montgomery Parks. Ages 18 and older. Registration required (Attendees may also register by email: maia.eskin@montgomeryparks.org. Please include number of attendees). Free.
With Parks in Mind: Mental Health Awareness Event | May 5 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park, 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown
Event to celebrate and promote mental health awareness and well-being through engaging activities in nature in collaboration with EveryMind. Free.
Wheaton Ice Spring Show | May 5 | 5:15–7:45 p.m.
Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Celebrate spring with a performance by Wheaton Ice Arena figure skaters. Free.
Historic Preservation Month Family Day | May 11 | 11 a.m. –3 p.m.
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
Kids and families of all ages are welcome to drop in for this free event featuring hands-on activities. A special presentation will be given at noon by Montgomery Preservation’s Judith Christensen on the history of the area and how it relates to Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Enjoy free tours of the Woodlawn Museum, Manor House and grounds. Free.
History Hour: Montgomery County’s Little Known Rosenwald Schools | May 16 | 6–7 p.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Rosenwald Schools were public schools for Black students built throughout the South in the early 20th century with funding from Julius Rosenwald, sometimes called “the biggest philanthropist you’ve never heard of.” Montgomery County had 17 Rosenwald schools. Learn about the school’s impact and importance, along with then-and-now photos of the five surviving buildings. Presentation by Ralph Buglass. Refreshments provided. Arrive early (doors open at 5 p.m.) and take a self-guided tour of the museum. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. $5 per person.
Roller Disco | May 17 | 6–8 p.m.
Ridge Road Recreational Park, 21155 Frederick Road, Germantown
Travel back in time to the heyday of roller disco in the 1970s and 80s. Get down and boogie to a live DJ and sweet treats available for purchase. There will not be on-site skate rentals so BYOS (Bring Your Own Skates). Some seating available but guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. Free.
Acoustics and Ales | May 23 | 5–7:30 p.m.
Flower Avenue Urban Park, 8746 Flower Avenue, Silver Spring
Join Irish Latin band La Unica at this outdoor happy hour. Beverages will be available for purchase from Clear Skies Meadery, The Urban Winery and Babycat Brewery. Food offerings will be on hand from The Hotdog Hideout, A Toda Madre and Churros, Inc. All ages. Free.
Special family-friendly events:
Family Archaeology Day | May 4 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Needwood Mansion, 6700 Needwood Road, Rockville
Family-friendly day full of hands-on activities, presentations, and live music. All ages. Registration recommended. Free.
Every Day is Earth Day | May 5 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Celebrate Earth Day and explore the science and art of sustainability through child-driven projects, plantings and activities. Ages 2–14. Registration recommended. Free.
Parks Academy fitness programs:
POUND Fitness | May 1–June 26 (Wednesdays, no class June 19) | 5–5:45 p.m.
Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park, 4101 Muncaster Mill Road, Norbeck
Ages 18 and older. 8 weekly classes-$64 per person. Registration is required; no walk-ins.
Introduction to Nordic Walking | May 4 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Nordic Walking | May 7–28 (Tuesdays) | 6–7 p.m.
Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park, 12121 Skylark Drive, Clarksburg
Ages 18 and older. Introductory class–free; 4 weekly classes-$40 per person. Registration required; no walk-ins.
Programs for 55+:
Socials for 55+: Birding at the Farm | May 1 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Agricultural History Farm Park, 8400 Muncaster Road, Derwood
Registration required. $2 per person.
Hike to Parks Unknown Beginner and Intermediate: Seniors | May 3 and 24 | 1–2:30 p.m.
Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park Trail, Kemp Mill Road and Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Block House Point Conservation Park, 14750 River Road, Darnestown
Registration required. $10 per person.
55+ Nature Book Club: Book Review | May 21 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park (Activity Building), 500 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring
Register to become a member. Free.
Socials for 55+: Parks Game Night | May 29 | 6–8 p.m.
Sligo-Dennis Avenue Local Park, 10200 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring
Registration required. $2 per person.
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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