Events

Adult beverages from the following manufacturers are expected to be available on Saturday: Capital City Brewing, Southern Tier, Woodchuck Cider, Fuller’s, Hacker-Pschorr, Rogue, Climax, Gordon Biersch, Old Dominion, Starr Hill, Tröegs, RJ Rockers, Laughing Dog, Harpoon, Sierra Nevada, Yuengling, Samuel Adams, Mad Fox, Legend, Abita, Allagash, Brooklyn, Heavy Seas, Stoudts, Alewerks, Duck Rabbit, Hebrew, Dogfish, Lost Rhino, DC Brau, Port City, Epic, Oskar Blues, Lagunitas, Delirium Tremens, St. Louis Framboise, New Holland, Victory, Hofbrau, Weihenstephaner, Erdinger, Avery, Stone, Foudners, Bells, Timmermans, Thirsty Dog, Terrapin, Shlafly, St. George, Smuttynose, Otter Creek, Olde Richmond, Trunstein, Corsendonk, Liefmans, Uinta, Original Sin, Long Trail, Lost Coast, Left Hand, Green Flash, Firestone Walker, Crispin, Clown Shoes, Boulder, Blue Point, Bitburger, Kostrizer, Blue Grass, Ballast Point, Sweetwater Tavern.

Of course, beer lovers will have to be choosy with their drinking plans. Each Oktoberfest attendee is only granted tickets for 10 beer samples. (At a cost of $25, which includes a souvenir tasting glass.)


Events

Crystal City will be holding six wine events during the month of September, including its popular annual ‘Vintage Crystal’ wine and jazz festival on Sunday, Sept. 18.

The wine-filled month will start on Sept. 2, with the first of five ‘Wine in the Waterpark’ events. The Washington Wine Academy will pour $5 glasses of wine and $4 beers in the Crystal City Water Park (across from 1750 Crystal Drive) while Crystal City’s Jaleo restaurant serves up free snacks and while DJ Adrian Loving spins “mood-setting, ambient music.”


Events

The festival headliner for 2011 is Dee Dee Bridgewater, who won a Tony Award for her acting performance in ‘The Wiz’ and who has also snagged two Grammy Awards for ‘Best Jazz Vocal Performance’ and ‘Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal.’ In addition to her musical and acting accomplishments, Bridgewater hosts the weekly NPR jazz program ‘JazzSet.’

Also on the bill is New Orleans native Henry Butler, an eight-time W.C. Handy ‘Best Blues Instrumentalist – Piano’ award nominee. Blind since birth, Butler not only is a musical chameleon — mixing jazz, Caribbean, classical, pop, blues and R&B influences — but he’s also an accomplished photographer whose work has been displayed at exhibitions.


Events

You might get the summertime blues on the Pike this weekend.

The 16th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival kicks off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday on South Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike. The free event runs through 8:00 p.m. and features acclaimed acts like southern blues rocker Tinsley Ellis, along with Columbia Pike’s own blues and soul band, The Curbfeelers.


Around Town

About 500 people showed up at the American Legion post in Virginia Square on Saturday to chug beer, drink Crown Royal and sample bull testicles.

The Montana State Society’s 2011 Testicle Festival was a rousing success, said co-organizer Jed Link, who noted that last year’s event in the District — which lacked Crown Royal — only drew 200 attendees. Link also observed that the line for fried testicles was longer than ever.


Events

The seventh annual Montana State Society ‘Testicle Festival’ is being held from 6:00 to 10:00 Saturday night. A $20 ticket buys you “all the Crown Royal you can drink and all the balls you can eat,” as festival co-organizer Brittany Beauleiu told NBC Washington. There will also be all-you-can-drink beer and country music from the Wil Gravatt Band.

Also known as Rocky Mountain oysters or cowboy caviar, bull testicles are said to be chewy and taste like chicken.


Events

Taste of Arlington features dozens of local restaurants and draws a crowd of thousands to the stretch of Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. In years past the beer selection at the event has been limited, but organizers say they’re now “trying to make the drink selection as diverse as the food selection.”

A craft beer distributor will be bringing ten different brews to the festival, including varieties of Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Newcastle, Ommegang, Saranac, Franziskaner, Breckenridge, Gordon Biersch, Shiner and Magic Hat. As before, wine will also be available.


Events

“Bring the kids and be immersed in 19th century Virginia life,” beckons county parks spokesperson Nate Spillman. “This is a great outdoor event for the whole family!”

The fun includes watching blacksmiths in action, touring a log cabin, as well as making your own apple cider, corn husk dolls and hand-dipped candles.


Events

From noon to 6:00 on Saturday, thousands of beer drinkers will jam Campbell Avenue in Shirlington Village for the 10th annual Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest. Wear your best lederhosen and bring extra cash for bratwurst. Oh, and bring a non-drinking friend who can help you get home safely AND provide a few extra sample tickets to your group (for $25, each attendee gets 10 tickets good for one 4 oz. beer sample each).

Dog lovers skipping the Oktoberfest may want to check out Dogtober Day and Barker’s Bash, a dog show and festival full of fun and games. It’s taking place at Lacey Woods Park (1200 N. George Mason Dr.)  from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.


Around Town

It started with a couple of fun races and ended with a performance of “The Arlington Rap.” Clarendon Day 2010 benefited from beautiful weather (okay, it was a bit hot) and plenty of food and entertainment options. Below are some photos captured by ARLnow.com readers.

Photo credits: Amber Wilkie Photography, Chaita_1, Chris Bavaria, Discojing and Tom Petty.


View More Stories