Chocolate: A Consumer’s Guide & Tasting - Saturday (Oct. 3)

Come learn how to decipher chocolate labels and enhance your enjoyment of this popular treat.   We’ll explore the healthy side of chocolate and discuss how chocolate gets its flavor.  Learn about terminology like “chocolate liquor” and “cocoa mass” while tasting a variety of chocolates ranging from classic milk chocolate to single-origin 70 percent dark chocolate.

Time: 1:00-2:30 – Registration Required

Admission free for Members or $5 for non-members

U.S. Botanic Garden at 245 First Street, S.W., Washington, DC, 20024.

http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Copy-of-Copy-of-Chocolate-A-Consumers-Guide-Tasting-October-3.cfm

Art on the Avenue - Saturday (Oct. 3)

Art on the Avenue is a multi-cultural arts festival celebrating our community’s diversity through the arts in the Potomac West area in Alexandria, Virginia. Over 300 vendors and 40,000 visitors attend. The festival will be held rain or shine!

Hours: 10 am – 6 pm

Location: Mount Vernon Avenue between Bellefonte and Stewart Avenues in Del Ray

 http://www.artontheavenue.org/

Frederick In The Street Festival - Saturday (Oct. 3)

For over 25 years the In The Street festival has been held in downtown Frederick.  The festival began in 1983 after major renovations closed Market Street for several months.  When the dust settled Mayor Ron Young decided to hold a festival for the entire community to celebrate the reopening of this prominent downtown area.  The Festival was held in the street so the naming of the event was simple.  That first In The Street festival boasted 10,000 in attendance and today In The Street attracts crowds of over 50,000! 

After 25 years, In The Street still celebrates the Historic District and highlights the best of what Frederick has to offer.  The all day festival from Carroll Creek to 6th on Market Street brings food, fun and entertainment for the whole family.  Check out each themed block to see who will be “in the street” this year.

Hours: 11 am – 5 pm

Location: Downtown Frederick between Market and Church Streets

http://www.celebratefrederick.com/

Takoma Park Street Festival - Sunday  (Oct. 4)

The Takoma Park Street Festival has something for everyone!  With18 musical groups playing on 3 stages, activities for children, crafts from around the world, community information booths, and food to please any palate.

Location – Carroll Street, Takoma Park, MD

Hours of Operation – 10 am – 5 pm

http://www.takomafestival.com/index.php

Germantown Octoberfest - Saturday (Oct. 3)

This year marks the 27th Anniversary of the Annual Germantown Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest is Montgomery County Maryland’s flagship Upcounty event at which people from all over come together to celebrate our community and heritage. Germantown Oktoberfest offers a wonderful, fun-filled day of live music and performances, delicious food, kids’ games & inflatables, exhibits by local crafters and businesses, the ever-famous Germantown Oktoberfest Biergarten, and a spectacular display of fireworks to end a perfect day!

This year’s biergarten is organized by the Gaithersburg/Germantown Jaycees. The biergarten is proudly serving Samuel Adams’ Octoberfest and Miller Lite. Proceeds from the biergarten benefit the Gaithersburg/Germantown Jaycees programs in the Germantown community.

Hours of Operation – 11AM to dark

Location - Ridge Road Park, Germantown, Maryland

http://www.germantownoktoberfest.org/

This week has a lot going on.  Octoberfest has my vote.  Have a great weekend!

-Rex