By Lani Gering
My very favorite time of year is just on the horizon…I hope! I’m talking COOL weather, not the 83-degree days that we had pretty much the whole last week of September! I want to get out my jeans, sweaters and boots and sit fireside at the Flight Deck while a cool breeze blows off the water. Here are a few things taking place this month including some fun events taking place at the Tanger Outlets.
The National Italian Festival at the Tanger Outlets takes place on October 5th from 11 am to 5 pm. The festival is hosted by the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, it is designed for all ages and offers an immersive experience in Italian culture, highlighting its deep-rooted influence and enduring legacy.
Also taking place at Tanger is the 3rd Annual Fall Wine Tasting on October 10th from 5 pm to 8 pm. Shop and sip on wines from outstanding Maryland wineries! The tasting is hosted with support from Vino301 and will be held in the Food Truck Plaza. For $20 guests will receive six sampling tickets, commemorative wine glass and offers from Tanger stores. For $5, nondrinking guests will receive the commemorative wine glass and store offers. Individual wine pours and commemorative glasses will also be available for purchase separately at the event.
Tanger is located at 6800 Oxon Hill Road – pretty much directly behind the main section of the Harbor.
The 3rd Annual CockailPro Competition takes place at 151 St. George Boulevard from 7 pm – 9:30 pm on October 7th. You are encouraged to join in as they highlight the “best of the best” bartenders/mixologists in our area. This year, the theme is “Spiced & Stirred”.
There will be 10 contestants competing to win the CocktailPRO title and $1000 prize. The best part of this competition? You get a say on who has the best drink! Try all the unique cocktails provided by the contestants and vote for your favorite drink. This sounds like something I just might have to check out. Keep in mind that you must be 21 to attend, please drink responsibly and consider using rideshare services.
The Harbor Halloween celebration is definitely the highlight of the month. Taking place on October 26th, there will be trick-or-treating, a free ride on The Capital Wheel for children in costume, a screening of Hocus Pocus, a pumpkin carving contest, and a Pet Pawrade and more. The event runs from 12:30 to 3:00 pm on the Harbor Plaza.
Key Activities & Schedule
12:30 – 2:30 pm: Trick-or-Treating at select shops and restaurants.
12:30 – 2:30 pm: Halloween Spins – Children in costume get a FREE ride on The Capital Wheel with the purchase of adult ticket during operating hours. Trick or treat at the Spirit Park Carousel from 12:30 – 2:30pm with unlimited rides on the carousel. *Restrictions apply.
1:00 – 2:30 pm – Grab your blanket and head down to the Plaza for a screening of our favorite Halloween flick, Hocus Pocus.2:30 PM: Pumpkin Carving Contest on the Plaza Stage.
1:00 – 2:30 pm: Community Canopy – Meet & greet with our community partners including the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System.
2:30 pm: Pumpkin Carving Contest – Cheer on National Harbor chefs and artists as they turn plain pumpkins into pure art.
2:45 pm: Pet Pawrade on the Plaza Stage – Don’t forget about your family’s furry friends! Get them dressed in costume and join in the Pet Pawrade. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, most creative costume and more. Be sure to take man’s best friend down to The Capital Wheel, dogs ride free all day with paying adult.
Don’t forget that you can also catch college football games on the Plaza Screen on Saturdays and watch the Pro’s on Sundays during the season.
Next month, the annual holiday commotion will be getting underway. I can’t believe the tree lighting in the Harbor will be on November 7th with the weekly fireworks cranking up. The Gaylord will be opening this year’s ICE display and more on the 14th. All this about 2 WEEKS before Thanksgiving. I’m going to have to come up with some sort of “Ode to November” that doesn’t include anything Christmas related.
In the meantime, let’s watch some football, drink a few beers and eat a couple of hotdogs while we get our costumes all squared away and concentrate on eating as much Halloween candy as we can get our hands on.
*Full details on all of the above events can be accessed by pulling up the Harbor website and check the events link – http://www.nationalharbor.com/blog/things-to-do-this-fall/