St. Pat's Was a Hit. Here's What's Next, Gaithersburg.

Rio Lakefront - March 14

If you were anywhere near Rio Lakefront yesterday morning, you heard the bagpipes before you saw them. The City of Gaithersburg hosted its 24th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Grand Corner Avenue, and the turnout did not disappoint. Dozens of units marched — Celtic dancers, school groups, fire trucks, equestrian units, and costumed characters. Dorothy Winder, the parade's lead planner for nearly 15 years, served as Grand Marshal. After the parade, visitors stuck around for Rio's Shamrock Stroll with one-day sales at participating shops and restaurants, plus live music around the lakefront.

City of Gaithersburg - Effective March 7, 2026

After 26 years of service with the Gaithersburg Police Department, Shawn Eastman has been sworn in as the city's new Chief of Police, succeeding Chief Mark Sroka, who retired on March 6 after 16 years leading the department. The city honored Sroka with a proclamation declaring March 6 "Police Chief Mark Sroka Day."

Chief Eastman has risen through every level of the department, serving in patrol, plainclothes, and investigative roles before being promoted to Captain and Assistant Chief in 2025. He's a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police and holds degrees from Frostburg State University and Hood College. He's also taught as an adjunct professor at Montgomery College and the University of Maryland.

In his statement upon being appointed, Eastman emphasized the collaborative spirit that defines the department, pledging to uphold disciplined policing and the highest standard of service. If you see him around town, say hello — he's been part of this community for more than two decades.

Arts Barn, Kentlands - Through March 22

The Montgomery Playhouse, in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg's Arts Barn, is staging "The Snow Queen," a brand-new original musical with music by Sherilyn C. Reynolds-Ward and book & lyrics by Laura Andruski. The one-hour show is a retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale — Gerda embarks on an epic journey to rescue her best friend Cai from the Snow Queen's icy palace, battling a snowflake army along the way.

Performances run through March 22 at the Arts Barn (311 Kent Square Road). Sunday showtimes are 1 PM and 4 PM. Tickets are $16 general admission. The show is recommended for ages 4 and up — perfect for a Sunday outing. Tickets can be purchased online through AudienceView/OvationTix or in person at the Arts Barn box office.

March 18-22 - Celebrate Eid at the Community Museum. Free programming at the Gaithersburg Community Museum honoring the holiday. Link here.

March 19 - MCPS Student-Athlete Leadership Conference. 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park (506 S. Frederick Ave, adjacent to Gaithersburg HS). A student-led conference hosted by the Student-Athlete Leadership Council. Free for MCPS student-athletes. Link here.

March 19 - Indie Film Spotlight. 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM. MoCo native filmmaker Juan Morales hosts a networking and film screening event in the heart of Maryland, featuring special guest appearances from award-winning actors. Link here.

March 26 - MCPS Board of Education Boundary Vote. The Board is scheduled to vote on the superintendent's boundary recommendations for Crown High School, the proposed Wootton relocation, and Woodward High. This decision impacts families across the Gaithersburg, Rockville, and surrounding clusters. Written testimony is still open. Link here.

Fish Taco is moving closer to opening its new location at The Shops of Potomac Valley (12121 Darnestown Road). Construction has been ongoing for months and the restaurant's liquor license hearing is set for April 9. This will be the fourth Montgomery County location for the popular fish taco spot.

Kitchen Social - Maryland's first location - has "Coming Soon" signage up at Downtown Crown and is targeting a summer 2026 opening. Expect scratch-made comfort food and a lively bar atmosphere.

Char'd Burgers, which built a loyal following through its food truck at 8600 Zetts Avenue in Gaithersburg, officially opened its first Maryland brick-and-mortar restaurant on March 6 in North Bethesda at Pike & Rose. If you haven't tried their smash-style burgers yet, now's your chance — and the founders have said additional Maryland locations are in the works.

Spring seasons are underway. Here's what's coming up on local fields:

Gaithersburg Trojans

Quince Orchard Cougars

Watkins Mill Wolverines

Magruder Colonels

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