Summer is in full swing, and it will only be a few short weeks before we’re taking one last vacation trip, thinking about fall activities, and getting ready for school to start again. But until then, there’s still plenty going on each week for residents to enjoy right in their own backyard!

If you’re into music and entertainment, you can catch a few more acts this week. On Saturday, July 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., The Reagan Years will play a special 50th Anniversary Concert at the Apple Ridge Recreation Area, 10101 Apple Ridge Road. This free, family-friendly event will feature the rocking sounds of your favorite 1980s hits, as sung by the East Coast’s original 80s tribute band. Bring a blanket or chairs, and enjoy food from Ledo Pizza, Festival Concessions and Tacos El Rey; see the free food coupon on page 8 for a 50th Anniversary treat! Parking for the concert is available at the MVF Office, 10120 Apple Ridge Road, and Watkins Mill High School, 10301 Apple Ridge Road.
Rock out on Sunday, July 24

at the Gordon W. Bowie Pavilion in South Valley Park, 19003 Watkins Mill Road, for the final Summers at South Valley Park concert of the season. Bring your picnic dinner at 6 p.m. and enjoy the relaxing Caribbean and Reggae sounds to end out your weekend!
Also part of the Summers at South Valley Park series is the final KidJAM performance scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27. Bring your children and friends to South Valley Park to enjoy the Pony To Go Petting Zoo. This fun morning will be filled with animals galore, and your chance to get up close and personal with them. For more family relaxing, come back to the pavilion at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5 for the outdoor showing of Monsters University. Bring a picnic, snacks and your favorite beverage, and watch this funny, animated movie under the stars!

If outdoor physical activity is more your style, then don’t miss an afternoon at any one of our seven sparkling pools! Make it a goal to visit each one, and while you’re there, why not get in a few laps to participate in the 50th Anniversary 50km Swim Challenge! Swim 50km between all seven pools and take home a limited edition beach towel! If you don’t have time for all the pools, but want to get a workout in, try the early morning lap swim or Coffee-to-Go at Hurley Park Pool, 20737 Highland Hall Drive. And if relaxing poolside while your kids splash the afternoon away is your thing, don’t forget all the great new features at Whetstone Pool, 19140 Brooke Grove Court.

While you’re out catching Pokémon, be sure to hit the walking/bike paths all over the Village. These trails provide an easy exercise route, with some of the best scenery around—our flourishing community! And good news—the path along Lake Whetstone is fully open again, as well as the rest of the lakeside park. The county’s dredging project is finally complete, and the park is open as usual. This means residents can enjoy the wildlife, have a picnic, play volleyball, go fishing and rent paddle boats once again!
Speaking of enjoying wildlife, there’s no special spot in the Village to catch a glimpse of the many varieties of “natural neighbors” that call the Village home as well. But you can always see something interesting wandering through our many parks or even while visiting the tot lots with your kids! See how many different kinds of birds, animals or fish you can spot. Find a special location and set up your camera to capture some overlooked moments, and share them with residents on our facebook page or submit them for consideration for in the annual calendar contest.

And what would summer be without camp to fill the day for kids? There are still plenty of opportunities for Village kids to experience summer fun and thrills with their friends! From the North Creek or Whetstone drop-in centers, to the fun-packed camp fun of camps Tiny Feet, Racing Wind and Soaring Stars, kids are excited to swim, go on trips, see special guest visitors, make crafts, play games and make new friendships all summer long. When the camp season ends but it’s not quite time for school to start, there’s End-of-Summer Specialty Camps to keep everyone busy. Choose from Lego, Mad Science, Tiny Chefs, Abrakadoodle, or continue the all day camp fun with Awesome August Adventures. For more information or to register, visit www.montgomeryvillage.com.

In a few short weeks, the Fall Recreation Guide will be published, announcing all the great fall activities you can find in Montgomery Village. Until then, get out and enjoy what’s left of the summer—pools, parks, nature, camps, entertainment and family fun are all right here in your backyard!