Labor Day 2023: What's Open, Closed In And Around Gaithersburg

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial last hurrah for summer, as many families will head to beaches and other destinations or host backyard barbecues — or attend the Gaithersburg holiday parade.

Labor Day falls on Monday, Sept. 4, when Montgomery County and city of Gaithersburg government offices will be closed along with other services. Many students who have already started school will have a three-day holiday weekend.

Most city of Gaithersburg facilities will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, with the exception of the following:

• The Miniature Golf Course will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The Water Park will open from Noon to 5 p.m. for City of Gaithersburg Residents and Aquatics Members ONLY.
• The Community Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Police Department Administrative Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• The regular Mayor and City Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 5.

Labor Day Parade

The Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade returns to the streets of Olde Towne on Monday, Sept. 4, at 1 p.m. Now in its 85th year, this rain-or-shine event includes high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, antique cars and fire engines, equestrian units, clowns, and more, all winding their way down East Diamond and Russell Avenues.

Recycling and Bulk Pick Up

The collection of recycled materials for residents whose regular recycling day is Monday, Sept. 4, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 2. This includes newspaper, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, and commingled materials, as well as brush, branches, grass clippings, leaves, and other yard trimmings, picked up by the city’s recycling contractor. Download the Recycle Coach app for additional recycling tips, notifications and collection reminders.

On-demand bulk pick up for residents whose regular recycling day is Monday, Sept. 4, will be unavailable. Appointments can be made for the following week using the online form, by e-mailing BulkPickUp@gaithersburgmd.gov, or by calling 301-258-6370.

Regular trash and garbage collection for city residents is handled by private contractors. Contact your HOA or your private contractor regarding the holiday collection schedule for these materials.

For more information on recycling and bulk pick upcontact the City’s Department of Public Works at 301-258-6370, or visit the City’s website www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Regional Holiday Travel, Changes

The Maryland State Highway Administration expects traffic volumes to increase around the state from Thursday through Labor Day. The department will suspend non-emergency roadwork from 3 p.m. on Thursday through 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Motorists are encouraged to travel off-peak if possible, particularly when heading to and from the Eastern Shore. According to state highway officials, the best times to travel the Bay Bridge over the Labor Day weekend are:

• Thursday, Aug. 31, before 2 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 1, before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 2, before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 3, before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Labor Day Monday, Sept. 4, before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 5, before 7 a.m. and after 10 a.m.

If you're staying in town for the Labor Day holiday, here are the openings and closings to know around the area:

Montgomery County office buildings: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

State offices and courts: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Montgomery County Schools: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Post offices: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

State Motor Vehicle Administration offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Libraries: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Alcohol Beverage Services: All stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4.

Department of Permitting Services: All offices, including customer service lobby, are closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Ride On: Will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, Sept. 4. All schedules can be found at Routes and Schedules.

Ride On extRa and Ride On Flex: Will not operate on Monday, Sept. 4.

Ride On Flash: The Orange Route will operate on a Weekends and Holidays schedule. The Blue Route (typically, weekday only) will not be in service on Monday, Sept. 4.

MARC Train: No service on Monday, Sept. 4.

TRiPS Silver Spring commuter store: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4.

TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Metrorail: Open Saturday, Sept. 2 from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 4 from 7 a.m. to midnight. See more weekend Metrorail information here.

Metrobus: Will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, Sept. 4. See https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/.

Public Parking Garages, Lots, Curbside Meters: Free on Monday, Sept. 4.

County-provided trash and recycling: There will be no trash and recycling collections on Monday, Sept. 4. Collections will slide one day throughout the rest of the week, with the last pickup on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Aquatic Centers: County outdoor aquatic facilities will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4. The Upper County Outdoor Pool is closed for the season. Indoor aquatic facilities will close at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, except for the Martin Luther King Jr. Swim Center. It will be closed all day.

Community Recreation Centers: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Senior Centers: Closed Monday, Sept. 4.

Montgomery Parks: Visit MontgomeryParks.org for complete information.

Additional details:

• South Germantown SplashPark—Open through Sept. 4, 10 a.m.‒6 p.m. For more information and for admission fees, visit org.
• Black Hill and Lake Needwood Boats—Black Hill boat rentals at Little Seneca Lake in Black Hill Regional Park open through Sept. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Lake Needwood boat rentals in Rock Creek Regional Park open through Sept. 4, 10 a.m.‒6 p.m.
• Open Parkways Program—The Open Parkways program will be extended during the Labor Day holiday weekend. During this time, parkways are open to pedestrians and bicyclists and closed to motor vehicles. This includes: Beach Drive between Connecticut and Knowles Avenue (2.9 miles)from 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, until 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4; Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road and between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West from 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept.1, until 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4; Little Falls Parkway between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue (0.4 miles) is open 24/7 for recreation and exercise

Facilities open Labor Day weekend also will include:

• Parks, trails, gardens, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts* are open daily from sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available to permit.).
• The in-line hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park can be reserved, or are available first-come, first-serve if not reserved.
• Picnic shelters and campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.  
• South Germantown Splash Park & Mini Golf.
• South Germantown Driving Range.
• Little Bennett Campground . 
• Cabin John Miniature Train (10 a.m.‒6 p.m.) and Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel (10 a.m‒6 p.m.).
• Brookside Gardens grounds open daily sunrise-sunset; Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m.‒5 p.m.; Conservatory open daily 10 a.m.‒5 p.m.
• Josiah Henson Museum and Park, (Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.‒ 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon‒4 p.m.

The following facilities will be closed on Sept.4:

• Montgomery Parks headquarters and permits offices.
• Montgomery Parks customer service office.
• Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena (also closed Sept. 2‒3).
• Wheaton Indoor Tennis.
•  Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center (closed Aug. 28­‒Sept. 4 for maintenance).
• Indoor nature facilities—Brookside Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center, Black Hill Visitor Center/Nature Programs. Trails and outdoor nature play areas remain open sunrise to sunset.  Meadowside Nature Center is undergoing building and meadow renovations. However, programs are continuing through the project. Trails and nature play areas remain open sunrise to sunset.