📊 Potomac-area public schools shine in Niche’s 2026 rankings. Churchill is #2 statewide and Cabin John MS tops the middle schools list with three other area schools in Maryland’s top five. See the full rankings for High Schools and Middle Schools

🎶 Mykonos Restaurant in Cabin John Village just opened “The Garden”, a new outdoor seating space tucked in back. Live music is planned soon to pair with the Greek mezze. Check it out

📰 The Banner Montgomery wrote about the history and ongoing debate over Montgomery County country clubs’ tax rules, which have long assessed golf course land below market value. Read their story [The Banner Montgomery]

🎼 Two weeks left to apply for Strathmore’s Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards, which honor top songwriters in MD, VA, and DC. Winners earn up to $10K and a live showcase April 24. Apply now

🎃 Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson is now open, with over a mile of eerie trails, live entertainment, and new haunted scenes for 2025 from this County Halloween staple. Get tickets

🌱 Free compost bins are now available at Potomac Garden Center and Good Earth Garden Market, courtesy of Montgomery County DEP. Two composting workshops run Oct. 4 in Kensington and Wheaton. Get the details

💼 We need your feedback on the Job Junction (our new local job board)… again… because we had a whoopsie in our last poll. Please check out the Job Junction here (with 10 new jobs!) and give us some feedback in the Poll below 👇

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*This section is sponsored by a friend of the Loop

Countryside Artisans Fall Studio Tour | Oct 3–5 @ Various locations in Montgomery’s Countryside
Wind through backroads to visit working studios of painters, potters, glassblowers, jewelers, and fiber artists, with Maryland farmland as your gallery walls. Studios open 10am-5pm each day 🎨

Romanian Food Festival | Oct 3–5 @ St. Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church
Feast your way through mititei, sarmale, live folk music, dance performances, artisan stalls, and cultural exhibits in a joyous Romanian celebration. Fri 4-7pm; Sat & Sun 11am-7pm 🥟

Bike Donation Drive | 7am–2pm @ Montgomery County Council Office Building
Clear space and give new life to unused bikes, supporting Rockville Bike Hub’s work to repair and donate to low-income MoCo residents. No helmets; checks accepted. 🚲

Fun Fridays Outdoors | 5–7pm @ Cabin John Village Green
Kick off your weekend with free My Gym games and fitness fun on the grassy lawn.🌳

Jurassic Park in Concert | 7:30pm @ Strathmore Music Center
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ pulse-pounding score live as Spielberg’s dinosaurs thunder across the screen in HD for a cinematic symphony spectacle. Tickets in link 🦖

Moonlight Hike | 8:15–10:15pm @ C&O Canal Towpath
Join the Capitol Hiking Club on to stroll four easy miles by moonlight along the canal towpath. Register in link and meet at Old Anglers, bring flashlight + water 🌙

Frankie’s Pop-Up | Oct 4-13 @ Bethesda Row
LA/Chicago boutique Frankie’s on the Park lands in Bethesda with trendy tween-to-teen fashion, daily activations, and fall must-haves. 🛍️

Fall for Local Festival | Oct 4-5 @ The Square Rockville
Savor mini pies, candied apples, and craft brews while browsing artisan stalls, enjoying live music, and letting kids dive into crafts and fall fun. Free admission; family-friendly; 11am–5pm 🍂

Germantown Flea Market | 8am–1pm @ MARC Commuter Lot, Germantown
Look for hidden gems at Montgomery County’s largest flea market with 50–150 vendors with antiques, jewelry, electronics, and other treasures. Rain or shine 🛍️

Cabin John Kids Run | 9am-12pm @ Cabin John Regional Park
Montgomery County Road Runners Club Youth Series where kids and teens up to 17 are invited to race ¼-mile, ½-mile, or 1-mile fun runs through the woods. Register in link 🏃‍♀️

RisuCon Anime & Cosplay Festival | 10am–8pm @ Montgomery County Fairgrounds
Montgomery County’s own anime and cosplay festival fills the fairgrounds with panels, vendors, and a $500-prize cosplay contest alongside guest artists and fan-favorite creators. Tickets in link 🎭

The Woodworkers Club Oktoberfest | 10am–5pm @ Woodworkers Club, North Bethesda
Watch pro carvers, shop artisan crafts, and sip Saints Row Oktoberfest brews at this free outdoor fair with demos, food, and family fun. 🍺

Taste of Bethesda | 11am–4pm @ Woodmont Triangle
Stroll through Bethesda’s big foodie event and sample dishes from over 40 restaurants while enjoying live music on four stages, kids’ activities, and more. Free entry; food tickets sold on-site. 🍴

Germantown October Fest | 11am–5pm @ BlackRock Center for the Arts
Enjoy a spirited day with parade, live music featuring Nine Days, food trucks, beer garden, artisan market, kids carnival and a spooky dance & costume party. 🎉

Harvest Festival | 11am–5pm @ Agricultural History Farm Park
Celebrate fall with candle-dipping, tin-smithing, historic farm equipment demos, meets with heritage animals, plus Park Police in action via mounted patrol, K9 and Search & Rescue demonstrations. 🚜

Not Dead Yet! John Cleese & The Holy Grail at 50 | 7:30pm @ Strathmore Music Center
Celebrate 50 years of Monty Python’s The Holy Grail with a special screening followed by live conversation and audience Q&A with John Cleese. Tickets in link 🎬

Haute Halloween Bash | 8pm–midnight @ Old Angler’s Inn
Slip into your most spellbinding costume and join a moonlit evening of cocktails, firelit dance by New Century Dance Company, auctions and connection to benefit women battling cancer. Tickets in link 🎃

Saree Run | 8am–11am @ Great Falls Park
Presented by the Kerala Cultural Society of Metropolitan Washington Women’s Group, this spirited 5K welcomes sarees, sneakers, or slacks to support breast cancer awareness. Open to all and kids run free with adult. Register in link🏃‍♀️

Fall Wildflower Walk | 10–11:30am @ Locust Grove Nature Center
Goldenrods and asters light up the meadow as Master Naturalists guide a gentle stroll through autumn’s last wild color show. Register in link 🌸

Volunteer Day | 10am–12pm @ Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary
Join Rockville Vegans for hands-on work including cleaning, bedding and animal care at Rosie’s sanctuary. RSVP in link and sign liability waiver ahead 🐾

Walk Off Parkinson’s | 10am–1pm @ Shirley Povich Field
Join the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area annual walk with physician talks, games, and free ballpark classics. Snack on hot dogs, popcorn, and ice cream while raising awareness for Parkinson’s wellness. Register in link. 🚶‍♂️

Fall in Love Dog Adoption Event | 12–3pm @ The Crossvines
Meet adoptable pups from Knine Rescue, enjoy a heartwarming afternoon of furry cuddles, and maybe find your next best friend. Free; get pre-approved in link 🐶

PIKEtoberfest | 12–4pm @ Pike & Rose
Raise a glass at North Bethesda’s fall block party with live music, a beer garden, artisan market, and a kid zone brimming with games. Free but RSVP in link for gift card giveaway 🍺

Share the Loop with your neighbor who pretends composting is a personality.

-Potomac Loop Team