Labor Day Weekend Events In Montgomery: Parades, Art Shows, More

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Looking for something to do this upcoming Labor Day weekend? If you're in Montgomery County, you've got some great options. Check them out below:

Gaithersburg

81st Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade

The 81st Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. on Monday in Olde Towne.

The parade will feature dance groups, drum lines, antique cars, high school marching bands, and fire trucks. You can also catch Uncle Sam on stilts and the Gaithersburg mayor and city council on their festive trolley.

There will be food vendors at Olde Town Plaza and the parking lot next to the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Station. Treats will be sold along Russell Avenue.

This rain or shine event will end at 3 p.m.

Parking

Per Montgomery County officials:

Free parking is available at Lakeforest Mall Transit Center where free shuttles will bring attendees to Gaithersburg Elementary School for a short walk to the start of the parade. For those who wish to view the parade in the shade along Russell Avenue, walk to that location from Lakeforest Mall Transit Center by way of Odendhal Avenue.

Limited free parking is available in the Olde Towne garage, located at the corner of Olde Towne & Summit Avenues. Accessible parking for those with disability placards or plates is available behind the Victor Litz store on the north side of Diamond Avenue and the Wells Lot behind the Shell station on South Summit Avenue.

Kensington

"Paint the Town" Labor Day Weekend Art Show & Plein Air Event

The Montgomery Art Association and The Town of Kensington are hosting the annual "Paint the Town" Labor Day Weekend Art Show & Plein Air Event. Local artists will showcase and sell their work at the event, which takes place at Kensington Town Hall from Saturday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept. 2.

Art in all media will be on display, including watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel, mixed media, and sculpture. Prizes will be awarded in six categories.

On Aug. 31, check out the "Plein Air Event." From daybreak to 3 p.m., artists will set up their easels around town and paint Kensington in a plein air competition.

More information about this jam-packed weekend can be found below:

Admission is free.

Show Hours:

• Saturday, Aug. 31, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 1, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Reception and Meet the Artists: Saturday, Sept. 1, 6 – 8 p.m. Listen to comments by the Judge Glen Kessler, and meet the artists in person. Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Live Demonstrations by Artists:

• Saturday, Aug. 31, noon - 1:00 p.m., 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 1, noon - 1:00 p.m., 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 2, 11:00 a.m. - noon, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Kensington's 52nd Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival

Kensington is holding its 52nd Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival on Monday, Sept. 2. The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. And the parade kicks off at 10 a.m.

The parade starts at St. Paul Park and ends at the grandstand next to Noyes Children's Library. You can see floats, marching bands, equestrian show and dance groups, and more.

There will be food trucks, vendors, and activities on Armory Avenue. Olney Winery, Knowles Station Wine & Co., and 7 Locks Brewing will also be selling beer and wine.

Sandy Spring

Labor Day Weekend of Adventure

In honor of Labor Day (and the unofficial end of summer), Adventure Park is hosting a series of special events and extending its business hours this weekend.

For instance: Keep it Lit on Saturday is open to guests 18 and up. There will be music, neon lights, and other activities. Check out Adventure Park's website for more about this event (and other Labor Day weekend events).

Glen Echo

47th Annual Labor Day Art Show

Starting on Sunday, Sept. 1, you can swing by the annual Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo Park. The four-day event, which takes place in the Spanish Ballroom, will feature work by more than 200 artists from the greater Washington, D.C. area. You can check out photography, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and more.

Admission is free.