Annual Washington Grove Events 

Washington Grove stands out in the Washington DC area for its community spirit. As a historic town, we have many traditions dating back generations. The many walking paths, parks, and communal areas also foster and nourish the Town’s strong sense of community. There are opportunities to participate in Town life throughout the year, including the Washington Grove Film Society, a lake clean up, woods clean up, Arbor Day activities, a Woman’s Club-sponsored egg hunt and Flower Show in the spring, and other fun and interesting things to do with your friends and neighbors.

View events in:  Spring  |  Summer  |  Fall  |  Winter

Spring

• Annual Egg Hunt—Early/Mid April

• Lake Clean-Up—April

• Arbor Day—Late April

  Washington Grove’s East Woods and West Woods are maintained largely by Town volunteers. In the spring, Grovers turn out to remove trash and to plant new trees.

• Town Elections—Second Saturday in May

  Elections for mayor, and usually two vacant Town Council seats, are held the second Saturday of May each year. Residents registered to vote in Montgomery County come to McCathran Hall between 4 pm and 7 pm to cast their vote. Results are announced at the Town Meeting later that evening.

• Annual Town Meeting—Second Saturday in May

  Day-to-day business of Washington Grove is carried out by the elected Mayor and Town Council, and by the various volunteer committees. However, every year a general Town Meeting of all interested citizens is held in McCathran Hall on the evening of the second Saturday in May.

  The Mayor gives a state of the Town speech, the committees report, the proposed budget is put up for approval, and any major directional changes of the Town are discussed. It is also an opportunity for citizens to air any issues they wish to bring up, and often involves heated debates.

  The meeting guides the Mayor and Town Council in understanding the views of the citizens. The participants in the Town Meeting, using certain procedures, have the power to overturn decisions made by the Council and Mayor. Citizens can, furthermore, call a special Town Meeting at any time if they collect 25 signatures on a petition.

• Flower Show—Late May

Summer

• Music Weekend—Third Weekend in June

  Music Weekend is the third weekend in June (except during pandemics!). Friday night is usually an event/concert in McCathran Hall. Saturday morning, there is usually a children’s recital in McCathran Hall. Saturday night, there is usually an outdoor concert at the Gazebo, with many people coming early with a picnic basket and a blanket. This is a very relaxed concert with children dancing between the blankets and lawn chairs, or chasing fireflies on the outskirts. The final event on the weekend is a brunch concert on Sunday morning, also at the Gazebo. Each family brings a dish to share, and again, a blanket or lawn chairs. Local and guest musicians play baroque music while everyone shares brunch and socializes and, enjoys the music.

• Independence Day

  The fourth of July features a marching parade, lead by our own Muskrat Band, with all the children and many of the adults in costume. Princesses, firefighters, patriots and countless other strange creatures collect near the ball field in Woodward Park. The parade begins with the flag raising in the park at noon. The parade winds its way through Town ending up at McCathran Hall, where speeches are made, awards given, the bell is rung and the Town 4th of July song is sung. There is often another event that day, either a hot dog picnic immediately following the parade or a potluck supper in Woodward Park in the late afternoon.

• Swimming Lessons—During SITP

  Washington Grove kids have the opportunity during the month of July to take swimming lessons at Maple Lake, offered at no charge. A paid instructor groups the children by age and skill.

• Summer In The Parks (SITP)—Month of July

  SITP is a camp for children 4 – 11 years of age. Staffed by paid teachers, the kids engage in activities such as crafts, nature study, plays, and games. The programs meet in McCathran Hall for the entire month of July. Parents pay a fee, but most of the cost is supplemented by the Town.

• Tennis Camp—During SITP

  Tennis lessons are offered for both children and adults during the month of July for a fee.

• Labor Day Weekend

  This is three days of athletic events for residents of all ages and physical fitness. Saturday morning, children, men and women compete in field events such as softball throw, soccer kick, obstacle course and three-legged race. Saturday and Sunday, there are bike and foot races for all ages. Monday evening, there is a potluck supper, with winners announced and awards given. The Supergrover Award goes to the participant who performed best overall for the weekend.

Fall

• Bluestoberfest—October

  This fun event is usually scheduled on a Saturday night in October. Music lovers will really enjoy this outdoor fall blues concert and potluck dinner at the Gazebo.

• Children’s Halloween Parade and Party—Late October

  Washington Grove is particularly suited to trick-or-treating with the quaint houses closely spaced and facing walkways. The walkways usually have more ghosts and ghouls than the streets. Often, there is a Halloween Party in McCathran Hall.

Winter

• Holiday Show—Mid-December

  A Holiday Show is scheduled on a weekend evening in mid-December. Entirely written and staged by homegrown Grove talent (both kids and adults), it usually features extravagant sets, enthusiastic and diverse musical and dance performances loosely woven into a Grove-related theme.

• Caroling—Late December

  The Recreation Committee often sponsors a caroling party at Christmas time as well with refreshments back at McCathran Hall.

• White Elephant Auction—Late January

• Chili Supper—Mid-February