As the seasons change in Maryland, so do the events that are going on. The time you spend in the community with friends and family is always super important, so to help you find fun things to do we put together this blog post.

Here are some of our favorite places and events in Rockville, MD to enjoy throughout the year.

9 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN ROCKVILLE

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things and impacted the events world pretty significantly. So if you’re interested in any of the events below, be sure to check and make they’re still happening and that the dates and times are correct.

1. ROCKVILLE FARMERS MARKET

Saturdays from May 15 – November 20

Every Saturday morning from May 15th through November 20th, you’ll be able to head on out and enjoy the farmer’s market. Whether you’re looking for veggies and fruits for the week or fresh flowers for your kitchen counter the farmers market is always a great way to start your Saturday mornings.

Sometimes there are great treats at the market as well. Things like pastries, drinks, and coffee are all great options to enjoy while you’re shopping for some veggies.

2. ROCKTOBIERFEST

Saturday, October 2

Rocktobierfest is a celebration of German culture and great beer as well as music. The annual festival features three stages with live music including german, rock, and children’s. There’s a shopping area where you can enjoy artisan german selections, local brews inspired by the culture, and lots and lots of great food.

This event in Rockville regularly attracts 3,000 people. It’s one of those events you just won’t want to miss.

3. ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Saturday, October 16

If you’re a car lover, this event is for you. The Antique and Classic Car Show happens on one of the last Saturdays in October every year. There’s loads of awesome cars, a flea market, car sales area, lots of food, and music. What else could you ask for out of a classic car show?

Have your own classic or antique car that you want to show off? Sign yourself (and your car) up! Folks from all over would probably love to see and learn more about your car.

4. F. SCOTT FITZGERALD LITERARY FESTIVAL

October 2021

The Rockville F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival is a nonprofit that celebrates the legacy of America’s favorite author – Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald. The festival is put on by Rockville Arts Live, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1990 and aims to promote literature events.

The festival events help bridge the community in Rockville through events that promote reading. It’s a wonderful way to share your love of books with those around you and to enjoy the company of others.

The events include panel discussions, workshops, and readings by authors who’ve written books in the literary genre best associated with Fitzgerald.

5. ROCKVILLE 10K/5K RUN

Sunday, November 1

The Rockville 10k/5k Run is an annual race that raises money for the City of Rockville Recreation Fund. It’s a great way to have some fun and get in shape at the same time. The race itself takes place from September 23rd – November 1st as a virtual on your own event. But don’t worry, there’s still some hefty competition to enjoy. You won’t just be racing against the clock because you’ll be able to upload your race time to the website to see how you did.

Be sure to take some photos of your race day and send them over to [email protected] to get featured on the website or on social media channels.

6. LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Saturday, February 20

The Lunar New Year Celebration is an annual festival that celebrates events from January 31st to February 20th. The events are all about Chinese culture and festivals that would traditionally take place in China.

There’s a parade, fireworks, and lots of great food as well. There’s a good chance that this year’s Lunar New Year will be virtual, but that doesn’t have to stop you from celebrating. You can watch the celebration online with the rest of your household. And, if you want to make it extra special, you could order some ethnic takeout or try your hand at a new recipe.

7. ROCKVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL

September 4-5

The Rockville Arts Festival is an annual event that celebrates the arts in Montgomery County and specifically Rockville. It’s put on by VisArts, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting and defending the arts.

The events are all about exposing people in Rockville, Maryland, to different art forms that might not otherwise be accessible. There’s a juried art show, live music performances, and events for kids to enjoy the arts as well. VisArts has events for everyone, making a fun weekend to learn more about art.

8. HEAD OUT ICE SKATING

Who doesn’t love spending some time out ice skating or sledding? There’s lots of fun to be had in the snow, and Rockville has some great places to enjoy ice skating. The Rockville Outdoor Ice Skating rink is one of those great spots to get outside and enjoy the beautiful winter air.

Admission isn’t too expensive but be sure to check their website for updated rates and hours. And, if you’re interested in throwing your kids a birthday party or having a group skate, you can reach out to do that as well.

9. ENJOY THE NUMEROUS PARKS

Throughout every season, there are numerous parks to enjoy. Rockville is home to a lot of interesting and beautiful parks that are worth exploring. Here’s a list of some good ones that you should check out the next time you get a chance!

• Maryvale Park
• Monument Park
• Montrose Park
• King Farm Park
• Woodley Gardens Park
• Fallsgrove Stream Park

FREE ROOF INSPECTION FOR ROCKVILLE RESIDENTS!

And that’s a wrap for our list of events and things to do in Rockville, Maryland. We hope you enjoy our beautiful city of Rockville, Maryland! And, if you’re in every need of help with your Rockville home, our roofing team at MARS Roofing would be happy to help!

Are you worried you might have a leaky roof? Roof leaks can lead to serious structural damage to your home and your roof.

Worse yet are the stains that can develop on walls and ceilings in your home. The most important thing to do is to find the roof leak as soon as possible. That’s why we will be showing you how to find a roof leak so you can tackle that roof leak repair ASAP.

DOES YOUR ROOF LEAK?

Before you call a contractor to come out and fix the leak that you suspect is in your home, it’s good to determine if it’s really leaking and if it’s coming from your roof. There are a few ways you can check and find a roof leak to see where it is coming from. These steps and places aren’t in a particular order, so just start with what’s easy and work your way to each area. If you don’t find any signs of water, you might be in the clear. But it’s always good to keep an eye out.

CHECK THE ATTIC ASAP

The first thing you should do is go to your attic and check the roof. This might sound like a no-brainer, but how many people have actually gone up into their attic to find out where that leak has been coming from? Probably not many! That might partially be because getting into the attic access isn’t at all easy.

But, after you’re up there, you should be able to easily see obvious signs of water damage or leaks. You might even find some mold growth that you’ve been missing or weren’t aware of. After you find water in your attic, locating where it’s coming from is the hardest part. Sometimes you’ll be able to easily see the water coming in or daylight through a visible hole in the attic ceiling!

FOLLOW WET AND DAMAGED INSULATION OR DRYWALL

If you spot wet or damaged insulation or drywall in your home, this is a sign of a leak, and finding it can be really simple. You’ll just need to do some sleuthing. You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes because the only thing you’re looking for is how water got into your home. Finding it will be as simple as following the trail of damage it’s left in its path.

When you’re looking for wet and damaged drywall, you’ll want to check the perimeter around the roof. It could be your gutters leaking or even a poor window seal. The easiest way to find out exactly what’s causing the leak is to call a professional inspector.

INSPECT YOUR ROOF FOR HOLES OR DAMAGES TO THE UNDERSIDE

The underside of your roof can often be the culprit for a leaky home. For example, if you’ve noticed water stains on the ceiling or walls, you might have a visible hole in your roof. As we stated in the attic inspection section, you can check there first or check by walking around your roof and looking for holes. Sometimes holes caused by tree branches puncturing the roof will be very visible, even when looking up from the ground.

INSPECT THE TOP OF YOUR ROOF

If you have not been able to find the signs of a leaking roof from inside your home, it’s time to get the ladder out. Once you’re up on your roof, check for missing shingles, roof penetrations, and anything else that could cause water leaks. Make sure to search the entire roof for damaged shingles or even exposed nails. Another good trick is to check your roof vents to see if there is anything that is damaged or obstructing the vent from working properly.

USE A GARDEN HOSE TO WET YOUR ROOF: WHERE’S THE WATER COMING IN?

You definitely don’t want to cause more damage to your home, but you won’t be able to fix it if you don’t know where the leak is. Sometimes, finding the leak or ensuring that there isn’t one is more important than the danger of causing potential damage to your home by allowing more water to enter.

It’s best to do this on a nice sunny day. Simply wet down the roof well, make sure there are no areas where you can visibly see water entering the roof. If you don’t notice anything on the outside, head inside and listen for drips, as well as visually inspect the different suspect areas to see if you can spot water.

FIXING THE ROOF LEAK

After you’ve found the leak, there are a few things you can do to get it fixed correctly and in a permanent way. The last thing you want is to lean on a quick fix that only gives you a few months or years before it starts leaking again.

The first option you have is to contact a professional roofing company and get their help with the repairs. Companies like MARS Roofing will often be able to help you with a one-time fix as well as ongoing maintenance. And MARS Roofing offers a 24-hour guarantee. We’ll get out there and at least get a temporary fix in place so that you don’t need to worry about your roof leaking too much.

The second option is to go the DIY route. If you’re willing to take on a roof repair project, this might be a good option, but you should know that there are some potential problems when going this route. One of those is that most insurance companies require a professional to fix the damage to keep your roof insured. This is especially true if they’re helping pay for the repairs.

FINAL STEPS

So as you can see, learning how to find a roof leak isn’t too bad! While finding the damage and or leak in your roof isn’t always easy, getting it fixed can be even harder. That’s why we’re happy to offer free inspections for our customers. You shouldn’t have to worry about figuring it out on your own, and you definitely don’t need to fix it on your own. Contact MARS Roofing for the best in roofing and restoration services!

Have you been searching for some fun events in Annapolis MD? We’ve got you covered in today’s post.

With COVID seemingly coming to an end across the country, events are happening again. Bands are planning concerts, county and state fairs are resuming, theaters are opening, and restaurants are on their way back to serving at full capacity. Here are the events happening through the rest of 2021 and 2022 that you won’t want to miss!

TOP 8 EVENTS IN ANNAPOLIS TO CHECK OUT

The events we’re covering here all occur at least one time every year. When you find one you like, be sure to put it on your calendar so you can visit again or get a group together to go with you. Let’s start out with some great food!

1. ANNAPOLIS RESTAURANT WEEK (MARCH 22 – 27TH)

The Annapolis restaurant week is a great way to explore the food around the area and try new things. You can enjoy special menus at restaurants throughout the city. You’ll need tickets for some events, but not every restaurant will require special admission. You can click the above link for general information or click here for more regular restaurant-type events.

2. US POWERBOAT SHOW (OCTOBER 6-9)

The US Powerboat show is an Annapolis event that showcases all sorts of boats. You’ll find the fastest and newest ones as well as some classics from years past. It’s a great opportunity to see what you like before buying or leasing one for yourself!

3. US SAILBOAT SHOW (OCTOBER 14-18)

The US Sailboat show is another boat event in Annapolis. Here you’ll only find sailboats in all different sizes. Some old, some new, it’s a history lesson and an opportunity to see some awesome sailboats in action. Each of the shows offers some great entertainment with live bands, food, and more.

4. MARYLAND DAY (MARCH 25- 27)

Maryland Day is a state holiday commemorating the day Maryland became a state. You’ll find lots of events going on throughout Annapolis and across the entire state to celebrate it, so make sure you check out some things that are happening near your favorite place in Maryland.

5. ANNAPOLIS FILM FESTIVAL (MARCH 31 – APRIL 3, 2022)

The Annapolis Film Festival is a great event for the community. It’s about supporting your neighbors and watching some amazing films from around the country as well as the world. They show everything from premieres to intensely personal documentaries. It’s a great event for the whole family and you can find more information on their website.

6. MARYLAND RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL (AUGUST 27 – OCTOBER 23)

The Maryland Renaissance Festival has been a great time, year after year. It’s a place where you can meet knights, wizards, and many other wonderful beings from days of old. There are games to play, food to eat, and performances going on all day long with musicians roaming around playing tunes. If you’re a fan of fantasy and history, this is the place for you.

7. MILITARY BOWL

The Military Bowl is a great event for Annapolis, Maryland. It’s an annual bowl game sponsored by the military in celebration of their service to the country. You’ll find current military members, as well as former service people who have come back to the area for this event, all coming together to celebrate the game and cheer for their favorite team. Tickets for college bowl games sell fast so be sure to get yours as soon as you can!

8. ANNAPOLIS CRAB FEAST (AUGUST 5)

The Annapolis Crab Feast is the perfect way to celebrate the iconic Maryland dish. You’ll be able to enjoy all sorts of crab dishes, including crab cakes, steamed crabs, and more. There’s also entertainment throughout the day, from live bands to fire dancers performing some amazing tricks. This isn’t an event that you’ll want to miss.

CONTACT MARS ROOFING & RESTORATION TODAY!

If you’re living in the Annapolis area and know of an event that we should include in our list, drop a comment. We’d love to add it. And, when you need help with your Annapolis roof, give us a call! MARS Roofing can help you get your roof repaired or replaced in next to no time. And, if you need help with other exterior services, we handle that too! Give us a call today to learn more

A great bar offers a lot of benefits to those that patron it. There’s the food, friends and community, overall aesthetic, and of course, the drinks.

Most times, when you’re looking for a new bar, you might settle for one of these items being good. But we’re here to tell you about 7 bars in Gaithersburg, MD that have got it all.

TOP 7 BARS IN GAITHERSBURG MD

1. OLD TOWN POUR HOUSE

Address: 212 Ellington Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (301) 963-6281

If you’re looking for comfort food and craft beers, Old Town Pour House is a great option. This Chicago-based spot serves 90+ craft brews in their large wood and copper-themed space. And better yet, they average 4.1 stars after nearly 1,400 reviews.

2. QUINCY’S BAR & GRILL

Address: 616 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (301) 869-8200

Beer, chicken, wings, and pan-seared steaks are some of the classics served by Quincy’s. In addition, this casual setting has trivia nights and sports on their TVs. Quincy’s is one of the locals’ favorite spots for catching big games.

3. YARD HOUSE

Address: 211 Rio Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (240) 683-8790

Yard House isn’t a local spot but a high-end sports bar chain that offers both a vast menu of American eats and an extensive list of draft beers. This place is perfect for large groups, and they’re open late. The only complaint the Yard house commonly has is that it’s more of a restaurant than a bar.

4. DOGFISH HEAD ALEHOUSE

Address: 800 W Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (301) 963-4847

4.5 stars after 2,600 reviews, Dogfish Head, is doing something right. This brewpub-style Alehouse offers excellent service and a wide variety of house-made beers. While Dogfish Head is known for their beers, they do make some great food as well. Local patrons rave about the burgers, soft pretzels, and crab cakes.

5. THE BENCH

Address: 9751 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (301) 590-0044

If you’re looking for lake views on a patio or a more intimate and lade-back cocktail experience, The Bench is a great place to get it. This causal sleek, and modern eatery is located inside the Marriott hotel but is always open to those not staying at the hotel. Over the years, the restaurant and bar has seen several good reviews and garnished a stand-up reputation.

6. PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR

Address: 203 Crown Park Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (301) 330-4400

If you haven’t been to a Latin kitchen or rum bar, then you’re missing out. Paladar is a pan-Latin eatery with a full-service kids menu and gluten-free options, making it an excellent stop for the whole family. Cocktails and fine rums are two of their big draws, but the food rarely disappoints. This restaurant has garnished a whopping 1,275 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 stars.

7. BAR AZUL SPORTS BAR AND BILLIARDS

Address: 18749 N Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Phone: (240) 912-4401

Sometimes you might be looking for more of a hangout spot or a place where you can enjoy some time with friends. Bar Azul is just that place. With pool tables, beers, cocktails, and sports on the TVs, what else could you ask for? They even serve the classics like wings and tacos. It’s a great stop all around.

CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE INSPECTION!

The next time you need roofing or exterior services, consider MARS Roofing as one of Gaithersburg, Maryland’s premier local roofing companies. We offer a free inspection, are certified and well equipped to handle insurance claims, and can get you through a construction project in typically one day.

Get your roof done the right way with MARS Roofing! Contact us today for a FREE inspection of your roof in the next 24 hours!