For most people, once the leaves start to show the first hints of turning, it’s time to start thinking about the important things of autumn: festivals, food and … fright.
If you’re looking to get an early jump on Halloween and you’re into a good scare, Markoff’s Haunted Forest at Calleva Farm is a short trip away in Montgomery County.
Visitors will hike along wooded, candlelit trails … but it’s not that easy. Expect to see the chain-saw man and assorted other scary characters along the way.
If you’re not feeling brave, the farm has haunted hayrides, a bonfire, outdoor movies and plenty to eat and drink. Tickets are $25; $20 for children under 4 feet tall. For information, call 301-216-1248.
Ending this weekend: The Big Apple Circus wraps up its Washington, D.C.-area tour stop on Monday. The circus, which is set up in the parking lot of Dulles Town Center in Virginia, features clowns, jugglers, trapeze artists, animal acts and much more. Tickets for this two-hour show start at $18. Buy tickets online at bigapplecircus.org or by phone at 703-828-9014.
Only this weekend: MacHomer at Woolly Mammoth. The show, created and performed by Rick Miller, brings you about 85 percent of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth delivered by more than 50 familiar voices from “The Simpsons.” Performances are at 8 p.m. tonight, 8 p.m. Friday, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. All seats are $40. For more information or to buy tickets, visit woollymammoth.net.
Navy Day: If you’re looking to spend an afternoon outside and feel like taking in a little history while you’re at it, the Washington Navy Yard will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
To celebrate the Navy’s 233rd birthday, there will be ceremony featuring the Navy drill team and birthday cake. Events are free, but a picture ID is required for admission. For information, visit navymemorial.org or call 202-737-2300.
Sports fans: As the lone person thinking about hockey during football season, I’m excited about the Capitals’ home opener against the Blackhawks on Saturday night. Face off is at 7 p.m. Visit capitals.nhl.com for tickets and information.
Want to get started early? Join other Capitals fans at Hard Times Cafe & Cue in Springfield at 7 p.m. Friday for a game-watching party.
The Wizards are in town at the Verizon Center for their first preseason home game against the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are still available at ticketmaster.com.
Not ready for hockey or basketball? The Redskins are at home against the Rams at 1 p.m.
Finally, early next week brings a boatload of talented musicians to IOTA in Arlington for the fourth annual FODfest.
FODfest, a musical event that honors the life of late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, will include performers Chad Hollister, Wes Tucker and the Skillets, Todd Mack and many more.
FODfest is free, but donations are collected at the performances to help offset costs. The show gets under way at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. For information, visit fodfest.org.
