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10 Events and Holidays in April Your Family Won't Want to Miss

Your family won't want to miss marking these dates!

March 31, 2021

April is a time of renewal, from Easter and Passover to flowers blooming — in all their spring glory — in our yards. But along with that, April also has its share of other holidays and events.

Here are 10 special holidays and events families can mark in April:





Autism Awareness Month 

One in 59 children born in the United States is on the autism spectrum. It is the fastest-growing developmental disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Want to know more about autism? Read "The Warner Boys: Our Family's Story of Autism and Hope" by Ana and Curt Warner, whose twin sons were diagnosed with autism at 5 years old. April 1-30


Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in Montgomery County

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month! To recognize its significance, agencies from across the county are “shining brighter together” to bring engaging programs, activities and mini-events for all to enjoy! Creative programs will focus on sharing positive, respectful, and accurate information about autism while informing the community about the variety of resources available in Montgomery County. Events are independently coordinated by Montgomery Parks, Montgomery Recreation, City of Takoma Park Recreation, City of Rockville Recreation and Parks, City of Gaithersburg Parks, Recreation and Culture, ArtStream, and the Montgomery County Public Library System.

Complete the Shine Brighter Together Puzzle 2021 by completing a variety of activities and events in Montgomery County!  





April Fool's Day

Kids are all about April Fool's Day! Make them giggle by adding googly eyes to everything in your fridge or pantry. Have fun! But always be wary. April 1




Easter 

This holiday marks the date Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. It's also a day kids look forward to because the Easter bunny visits! Check our event calendar for local events! April 4




National Library Week

Libraries are at the heart of our communities and schools, providing a public space where all community members can come together to connect and learn. April 4-10





National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

A great day to serve this perennial kid favorite for dinner! Ooey gooey goodness. "Adult" it up, if you must, by adding toppings like bacon, tomatoes, spinach, or portabella mushrooms. In Rockville, my favorite "adult" grilled cheese is the Crab Cake Grilled Cheese at Full On Craft Eats & Drinks.   You're welcome!  April 12   




Ramadan

Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of prayer, reflection, community, and fasting from sunrise to sunset. It is observed as a commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation and its annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Ramadan lasts about a month, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. April 12-May 12




Day of Silence

The Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools, followed by Break the Silence rallies to bring attention to ways their schools and communities can become more inclusive. Join in for the full day, or for three minutes of community silence and solidarity at 3 p.m. ET. Find more, including lessons and activities, here. April 17




National Park Week

Celebrate America's treasured parks! National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, volunteer, and explore a national park near you! April 17-25


In Montgomery County we have some fabulous parks.  The following are specifically the NATIONAL parks in Montgomery County - make a point to check them out during National Park Week!    


Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park


Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854
(301) 767-3714, (301) 739-4200; fax: (301) 739-5275
web: 
www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm
The portion of C&O Canal National Historic Park that is in Montgomery County offers standard amenities found elsewhere along the Canal, as well as two sites from which to ride canal boats: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, and the Georgetown Visitor Center. The Canal runs just south of Glen Echo Park, and the Clara Barton National Historic Site.

  • Glen Echo Park
    7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812
    (301) 320-1400
    web: www.nps.gov/glec/index.htm
    Opened in 1891, Glen Echo Park offers art galleries, a theatre, arcade, and stables. The Park also provides classes and educational lectures. Still open to the public are the Dentzel Carousel (started in 1921), and the Spanish Ballroom (opened in 1933). On the grounds is the Clara Barton National Historic Site. The National Park Service began management of the Park in 1970, and provides tours of the grounds.

Want to take a road trip?  Eight of Maryland's twenty-four local jurisdictions are sites for national parks.  Check theme out HERE.







Earth Day

This is a great day to assess how your family impacts the environment and think about small changes you can make to help our environment. April 22

Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection is hosting Earth Month!   Check HERE for activities and events . . . have you gone "Plogging"?


Montgomery County Parks also have an assortment of events and activities planned for Earth Month.  Check them out HERE!




Pay It Forward Day 

Mark this day by letting your kids come up with an act of kindness as a way to "pay it forward." It's a great way to show them that even small gestures of kindness matter — and ripple outward. Want to know more about the concept? Read "Pay It Forward," a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. April 28