Photo by compassrose_04

FRIDAY

OLYMPIANS: The Greater Bethesda Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Bethesda Urban Partnership, Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Brookfield Properties, Congressman Chris Van Hollen and County Council President Roger Berliner will honor U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky as well as U.S. Olympians Scott Parsons and Julie Zetlin on today at 5:30 p.m. at the Bethesda Metro Center.

OUTDOOR FILM: It’s the last of the outdoor films at Rosslyn’s Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway, Arlington) tonight, and the season will end on a high note: Canadian Bacon will be screened. Free.

PARKING LOT AMERICA: This is a country built on the car, and much of our landscape has come to reflect that: from highways to parking lots, the U.S. is covered with the infrastructure needed to move and store cars. Tonight at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington) an exhibit opens that highlights the car-driven landscape: “Beyond the Parking Lot: The Change and Re-Assessment of our Modern Landscape.” Free.

SATURDAY

DRAGON BOAT REGATTA: Participate in an Chinese tradition that’s thousands of years old by heading to the National Harbor today for the Dragon Boat Regatta. The races start at 9 a.m. and end with an awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Directions here. Free.

BEER: The newly inaugurated Three Stars Brewery is throwing open its doors to the masses today for brewery tours and growler fills. Stop in from 1-6 p.m. at the brewery (6400 Chillum Place NW) to taste and buy any of the company’s three brews (Urban Farmhouse, Southern Belle and Pandemic Porter). Alternatively, stop in by the Dogfish Head Ale House (3041 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax) from 11 a.m.-midnight for its Punkin Ale release party. Yes, it’s almost fall.

BIKE CARNIVAL…AT A MENTAL HOSPITAL: The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is hosting the St. Elizabeths Bike Carnival, where the public will be able to cycle around the long-shuttered east campus (2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE) before it is fully redeveloped. The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; more information can be found here.

FOOD TRUCK FEST: Head down to the D.C. Fairgrounds (1299 Half Street SE) for the D.C. Funky Fresh Foodie Fest, a food truck and craft beer pairing music festival. You can expect food from Pepe, Takorean, BBQ Bus, Curbside Cupcakes, DC Empanadas, DC Slices, Fojol Bros., Pleasant Pops, The Rolling Ficelle, and Tapas Truck; music provided by Judo Chop, Sean Chyun and the Deceivers, Flo Anito, Hari Karaoke Band. The festivities kick off at 1 p.m.; tickets range from $15 just to get in to all-inclusive options that cost between $52 and $75.

BATTLING AT BLADENSBURG: It was this week nearly 200 years that ago that British forces routed a rag-tag army of American revolutionaries at the Battle of Bladensburg, allowing the Brits to enter Washington and set fire to the White House and U.S. Capitol. To commemorate the event, head out to the Battle of Bladensburg Visitor Center (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg) for guided tours, musket and cannon demonstrations and much more!

SUNDAY

CELEBRATE THE RENAISSANCE: It’s that time of the year again—the Maryland Renaissance Fair (1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis) kicks off this weekend, so why not spend a Sunday watching people joust and eating a massive turkey leg in an environment where it’s perfectly accepted? The fair opens at 10 a.m. and runs through 7 p.m.; adult tickets are $17.

>> If that’s not enough, check the Weekly Music Agenda, Arts Agenda, Popcorn & Candy, and our listings for jazz and hip-hop.