Gaithersburg Book Festival – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Gaithersburg City Hall
This free literary festival got its start in 2010 and has since expanded to include author presentations, writing workshops and children’s activities. This year’s lineup of authors includes David Axelrod, who worked as a senior strategist for President Barack Obama, Washington Post correspondent Dan Balz, and this year’s John Newbery Medal winner in children’s literature, Kwame Alexander. Events begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and continue until 6 p.m. You can find a full schedule by clicking here.
Strut Your Mutt Festival – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Bethesda Row
Show off your pooch at the 9th annual Strut Your Mutt festival. This year the event takes place near Bethesda Row, at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues. The festivities start at 10 a.m. when the parade line-up begins. The doggy parade starts at 10:15 a.m., and awards for best trick, biggest dog, smallest dog and others will be given out around 10:45 a.m. Events continue throughout the morning and afternoon until 3 p.m.
Montgomery County Strawberry Festival – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – White Oak Middle School, Silver Spring
The county’s strawberry festival will feature carnival rides, live music, food trucks, crafts and farmers. Regional farms like Green Acres, Broadfields and Breezy Meadow will be offering up their fresh produce—and of course, strawberries, for sale. There will also be carnival and pony rides. The event is free to enter, but carnival rides require tickets. White Oak Middle School is located at 12201 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring.
King Soul – Saturday, 8 p.m. – Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club
Washington, D.C. band King Soul will take the Bethesda Blues and Jazz stage Saturday night to perform their original songs. The band features horns and “driving rhythms” to bring “deep, down home sounds of an earlier time,” according to their website. Doors open at 6 p.m., while the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Poolesville SpringFest – Saturday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Whalen Commons, Poolesville
The Town of Poolesville’s fifth annual SpringFest celebration features a wide variety of food, craft and gift vendors. The event also includes performances by two bands, Hard Swimmin Fish from 2 to 4 p.m. and Black Betty & The Moonshine Society from 5 to 7 p.m. The participating barbecue chefs will be competing in a “backyard BBQ competition.” A beer wine tasting is also planned and for $20 patrons can taste all the vendors. Whalen Commons is located at 19701 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville.
PUMC Strawberry Festival – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Potomac United Methodist Church
The 25th annual Potomac United Methodist Church Strawberry Festival is known for its strawberry desserts. There will be a giant, homemade strawberry shortcake topped with ice cream and whipped cream as well as other treats. The event also features a silent auction, craft and clothing vendors, a bake sale and kids’ game room.
