Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Family Festival
(August 1, 2010; 1p.m.-4 p.m.; 1411 W Street SE, Washington DC 20020)
The Frederick Douglass National Historic site is the starting ground of one of history’s best known abolitionists, Frederick Douglass. This family friendly festival is full of events meant to illuminate and educate visitors about this incredible historical figure. Enjoy arts and crafts, games, prizes and more at the local gallery.

Friendship Firehouse Festival
(August 7, 2010; 9a.m.-2p.m.; South Alfred Street b/w Prince & King Sts.)
The Friendship Firehouse Festival in Alexandria, VA brings together visitors of all ages to enjoy the firehouse museum in beautiful and historic Old Town Alexandria. The festival is a chance to watch live musical performances, stroll around the many craft booths, nosh on treats and celebrate the important positions that firefighters hold in our lives and communities. The other part of the festival features tours offered by the Friendship Firehouse Museum which will showcase its amazing historical past from 1855 to present day. The festival will be sponsored by The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association which is an organization dedicated to encouraging fire safety in our neighborhoods.

Comcast Film Festival
(August 13-20, 2010)
Check out a selection of favorite films presented in a beautiful outdoor location like the lawn of the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, visit dc.about.com.

Maryland Renaissance Festival
(August 28 – October 24, 2010; Crownsville, Maryland)
The Maryland Renaissance Festival will be taking place on the weekends of August 28-29, September 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 from 10a.m.-7p.m. This amazing 16th century English fair is chock full of events including games, shows, crafts, live entertainment, period costumes, food and much more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.rennfest.com.

(May 30; 8p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.; West Lawn, U.S. Capitol; Washington, DC 20515; www.aoc.gov; Free)
The National Memorial Day Concert is a Washington D.C. tradition which includes live music from the National Symphony Orchestra. The event is broadcast live on PBS and hosts a whole slew of special guests like actors, musicians, dignitaries, politicians and more. Stop by the West Lawn of The U.S. Capitol for this free performance.

“The President’s Own” Marine Corps Band & Fireworks

(May 30; 8p.m.; The Filene Center at Wolf Trap; 1551 Trap Rd.; Vienna, VA 22182; Free)
The President’s Own United States Marine Band will be performing a free concert at the Filene Center this Memorial Day so start your celebration off right. Be sure to bring plenty of food and blankets to enjoy the show which will end in a glorious fireworks display. Gates open at 6:30p.m. sharp and fireworks begin at 9:45p.m. so get to The Filene Center early since those 400 seats will be sure to fill up quickly.

Memorial Day Jazz Festival

(Fort Ward Park; 4401 West Braddock Road; Alexandria , VA 22302)
The Memorial Day Jazz Festival is being held in historic Fort Ward Park and will be the site for some amazing music including contemporary jazz, swing, and big band music. The festival will move to Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium in case of rain.

The Potomac is known as “the Nation’s River” because of its reflection of American political history, from its formative years to the tragedy of the Civil War and the strategic planning and execution of the nation’s wars of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and countless events that have seized the public through the news media.

It was in the Potomac basin that first president of the United States George Washington was born and spent most of his life. In the nineteenth century, General Robert E. Lee twice crossed the Potomac River during the Civil War, which ended with the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, also in the Potomac basin. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge, which crosses the Potomac near the stately Jefferson Memorial and the massive Pentagon, and landed in the freezing waters, killing all but five of the passengers.

The Potomac is named after the Algonquian tribe that inhabited the banks of the river and that was part of the Powhatan confederacy. The word Potomac is believed by some to mean “place where people trade” or “the place to which tribute is brought.” Today the Potomac could be said to mean the place where tax-payers protest the tributes they must pay to the federal government, or how they are spent.

From the Potomac River today, one can view cultural and historic landmarks such as The Kennedy Center, the Watergate Hotel, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Jefferson Memorial, as well as the Pentagon. What better way is there to take in the beauty of this nation’s historic capitol than on a relaxing and stimulating OnBoard DC tour, including a boat cruise down the Potomac?

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Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax, Virginia

(February 6-7, 2010; Saturday, 8a.m.-5p.m.; Sunday, noon-4p.m.; Downtown Historic Fairfax; 10455 Armstrong St.; Fairfax, VA; www.chocolatefestival.net)
What says love better than chocolate? The Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax is an annually held two day extravaganza held in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The weekend’s events features The Chocolate Challenge, a fantastic arts contest which hosts artwork constructed entirely out of chocolate, and numerous vendors sampling their goodies. Visitors can also participate in the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast which features delicious chocolate chip pancakes, as well as historical re-enactments and craft shows galore.

Woo at the Zoo

(February 12, 2010; two presentation time slots: 6:30-7:30 p.m. or 8:30-9:30 p.m.; Smithsonian National Zoo)
Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is offering a fun-filled event for Valentine’s Day, also known as Woo at the Zoo! The event is a light and fun exploration into the sexual behaviors (mating, wooing and reproductive habits) of surrounding zoo animals and is hosted by the zoo’s animal experts.

The fun starts at the zoo’s visitor center auditorium where patrons can create personalized Valentine’s cards for their special someone’s while sipping on drinks from the cash bar and enjoying other Valentine’s festivities. Please be advised that Woo at the Zoo is for adults, ages 21 and up and reservations are mandatory! Each ticket is valid for a time-specified show. The special Valentine’s Day price is $7 for FONZ members and $10 for nonmembers.

Valentine’s All Star Comedy Show

(Young Chow’s restaurant; 420 23rd St.; Crystal City, VA 22202; Thursday, 8:30p.m.; Friday, 9:30p.m.; Saturday, 8p.m. & 10p.m.)
Bring your Valentine to a hilarious stand up comedy show featuring three amazing stand-up comedians from HBO at Young Chow’s restaurant. Packages include dinner reservations and show tickets while hotel accommodations may be added for this special day. Reservations are required.

Watson Adventure V-Day Scavenger Hunt

This Valentine’s Day, spend the day at Watson Adventure’s Naked at the National Gallery Scavenger hunt where you will be sent on a fun mission to discover secrets concealed within works of art featuring…you guessed it, nudity! The event encourages people, singles, couples and friends alike, to participate in this one of a kind Valentine’s event which will take place on February 13th and 14th. Visit www.watsonadventures.com for more info.

Cold Case Love at The International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum presents an exciting activity for Valentine’s Day which features an audience interactive show aptly named Operation Spy. Visitors are welcome to deliberate with fellow spies in order to survive the mission’s tricky challenges Afterwards, enjoy a festive and romantic dinner at Zola restaurant which includes oysters and champagne. Visit www.loveaspy.org to reserve a spot for you and your loved one.