The transformation of the historic Uline Arena into a flagship REI store is well underway for an October opening. In the meantime, the retailer planned 100 days of activities to get Washingtonians geared up for the great outdoors.

With a heavy-handed political bent (a description for a bike repair night at a brewery explains that “bikes and beer go together like filibusters and fluff”), REI is pitching the series as “United Outside.” Citing “one of the most heated political races in recent history,” the company says it aims to bring together people of all political leanings through adventure.

“One thing we can agree on is the transformation that happens when we put down our laptops, turn off our phones and head outside,” REI CEO Jerry Stritzke said in a release.

To formally kick things off (events actually start this week), the retailer is holding a weekend of activities on July 16-17. It arranged for entry to the C&O Canal National Historic Park in Great Falls, kayak rentals, access to Capital Bikeshare (sign up for that here), a party at Wunder Garten, and a variety of classes—all free.

It will be followed by a mix of paid and free events that include hikes, bike tours, classes (on knots, trailside cocktails, compass navigation, etc), and a “supper series” where proceeds go to Living Classrooms. The series will culminate in a three-day long block party/grand opening for the new store on October 21.

The NoMA location will be the company’s fifth flagship store, following locations in Seattle, Denver, New York, and Minneapolis, and its first within the District, although REI has eight stores in suburban Maryland and Virginia.

Once a bustling concert hall and sports arena, the Uline building, also known as the Washington Coliseum, hasn’t seen much action in decades. It became a trash transfer station in 1994, and Waste Management attempted to demolish the property in 2003 but was blocked by the D.C. Historic Preservation League. In 2013 Douglas Development Corp. announced plans to redevelop the site as a retail and office space.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places—the Beatles played their very first U.S. concert there, among other notable happenings—and it will retain the coliseum façade.

United Outside begins this week, with a weekend full of free events on July 16-17, and lasts until REI’s opening weekend on October 21.