As the mild temperatures rise and days get longer and nights shorter you know summer has arrived! Isn’t it a favorable time to get outdoors and enjoy the abundant activities in the area? Let your perceptive eyes roam around and notice the golden rays streaming into every little aspect of Nature, enjoy the sun, get outdoors! To help you do just that we have lined up a list of events taking place in the area...! 
Launch your own rocket! Fun thing to do!
One of our member-recommended events is the rocket launch at the Goddard Visitor Center, Greenbelt, MD; the first Sunday of the month at 1 pm. Miren vouches that this is one of the best activities that she has taken her kids. Anyone can fly a rocket at the Goddard Center and there are no entry fees to participate. If you do not have the required supplies do not worry, you can buy them at the Goddard Gift shop. For more information go to www.nas.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/events/index.html
Want to bring out the innate artist in you? Head to Artomatic!
Artomatic is a month-long event that promotes local artists in various fields; most of the artists who participate are from the DC Metro area. Dancers, performers, painters, and musicians, etc. gather to promote their art form and they offer it to the public absolutely free. The event began in 1999 and has been running successfully ever since. Artomatic takes care of the interests of children too by providing them with tours and hands-on activities and art-related attractions. The event runs from May 29–July 5, 2009 on 55 M Street, S.E. (at the corner with Half Street) Washington, DC 20003. For more details go to www.artomatic.org
Free Summer Concerts and Movies! All you need to bring is just the popcorn!
During the summer months, free summer concerts and movies are 
offered at various venues throughout the DC Metro area. There are regularly scheduled events performed by the Navy Band or other jazz and rock music concerts performed by amateur artists. Most of them run throughout the summer, and you can get a list of them by searching on the internet. If you are bored of sitting in an air-conditioned theater watching a movie, then head out to a large screen outdoor theater in the metro area! You can watch free summer-time movies on the National Mall; Woodmont Triangle, Bethesda; Duke Street, Alexandria; to name a few. Search for more venues on this website www.dc.about.com
Fourth of July fireworks! For a change enjoy history outside the classroom!
What better place to celebrate America’s independence than theNation’s Capital? The metro area, rich in cultural history, comes alive with colorful fireworks on July 4th, enthralling adults and children alike. This all day event begins with a parade on Constitution Avenue and ends with a spectacular fireworks display on the Mall. Be sure to get there early as this is the most popular event in the area! For more details go to www.washington.org
Reston Asian Festival! Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes of Asia!
Another one of our member-recommended activities, the Reston Asian Festival, is the most popular event in the area. Vidya has been to one of these festivals and says that everyone who can must join in this euphoric celebration of cultural identity. The festival provides enough activities throughout the day to keep you and the kids engaged. There are performance stages, hands on activities, booths where you can shop, vendors who cater Asian foods and much more. The Asian Festival is on August 1 and 2, 2009 at the Lake Newport Square. For more details go to www.asianfestivaldc.com
Smithsonian Folklife Festival! Celebrating cultural traditions around the world!
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is sponsored by Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and runs from June 24–June 28 and July 1–5, 2009. It is open daily 11:00am to 5:30pm at the National Mall. The festival includes craft and cooking demonstrations, performances and activities for kids. This year’s festival gives special focus to the cultures of African Americans, Latin Americans and Wales. For more information go to
Labor Day Events! Jazz up your life and work with week long fun!
As you wind down after the frenzy of summer activities and are looking to spice up your life just before you officially begin to settle into the daily grind of office, school and home, there is still one more week of enjoyment left for you! The Labor Day weekend events in the DC Metro area begin on August 30th and continue till September 7th. The Labor Day festivities can spruce up the family morale before you restart from where you left off. The events for this year have not been listed as yet, but check out this website for more details http//dc.about.com
By Vidya Rangan