The Montgomery County Fair is over, but there are plenty more festivals to choose from this fall. (Photo: TBD Staff)

The end of summer does not mark the end of festival season in the Washington region. The simple truth is that Washingtonians love partying outside, and the longer we can keep it going, the better. You know what I say to that? Party on. Check out my list of festivals and fairs happening in the D.C. area through September. Most are free and outdoors, and all are open to the public. Bring your kids, your appetite, and your darkest sunglasses (for people-watching).

Feet In the Street Festival (Saturday, Aug. 28)

A car-free day in the large park east of the river. Highlights? A rock climbing wall, airbrush tattoos, and Cops Come Knockin, D.C.'s very own all-cop band. Fort Dupont Park, Washington, D.C.; free

Columbia Heights Day and the D.C. State Fair (Saturday, Aug. 28)

The big draw of this year's Columbia Heights Day is the first-ever D.C. State Fair, taking place concurrently with the neighborhood festival. The Fair is promising a heap of food contests, from pickles to homebrews to funkiest-looking vegetable. Columbia Heights, Washington, D.C.; free

Wags 'n' Whiskers (Saturday, Aug. 28)

Aw, cute — a festival for your pets. Shirlington, Va.; free

Maryland Renaissance Festival (Saturday, Aug. 28 through Oct. 24, weekends)

Truly, who doesn't love the Ren Fest?  Annapolis, Md.

Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo Park (Friday, Sept. 3 through Sept. 6)

Browse and purchase art from 150+ mid-Atlantic artists and take a breather with some Irish music and dance. Bethesda, Md.; free

Prince George's County Fair (Thursday, Sept. 9 through Sept. 12)

I'm just going for the beautiful baby contest. Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Yards Park Grand Opening The new Southeast waterfront park celebrates its grand opening with three days of fun stuff. Washington, D.C.; free

D.C. Veg Fest (Saturday, Sept. 11)

An all-vegetarian festival at George Washington University. Yum!  See you there. Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.; free

Arts On Foot (Saturday, Sept. 11)

Three live entertainment stages, organic cooking demonstrations, street performances and wine are the highlights at this festival smack dab in downtown Washington. Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C.; free

Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival (Saturday, Sept. 11)

The annual kickoff to the Kennedy Center's fall season. Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.; free

Black Family Reunion on the National Mall (Saturday, Sept. 11)

Chrisette Michele and Musiq Soulchild headline this year's reunion. Washington, D.C.; free

Fiesta D.C. (Saturday, Sept. 25)

One of the best neighborhood festivals in Northwest, Fiesta D.C. always offers great live music, spirited parades, and quality food, but it can get crowded. Mt. Pleasant, Washington, D.C.; free

National Book Festival on the National Mall (Saturday, Sept. 25)

Get your geek on at the massive book event, where more than 70 authors will be speaking, reading, and signing books. Washington, D.C.; free

More Festivals and Fairs

Maryland State Fair Tuesday, Aug. 27 through Sept. 6 in Timonium, Md.

BlackRock Family Block Party Saturday, Aug. 28 in Gaithersburg, Md.; free

Abbey Road on the River Thursday, Sept. 2 through Sept. 6 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md.

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival Friday, Sept. 3 through Sept. 6 in Greenbelt, Md.

D.C. Blues Festival at Carter Barron Saturday, Sept. 4 in Washington, D.C.; free

Virginia Scottish Games Saturday, Sept. 4 through September 5 in The Plains, Va.

Dia De La Tradicion Crucena (Bolivian Cultural Festival) Sun, Sept. 5 at Bull Run Park in Centreville, Va.

Herndon Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival Monday, Sept. 6 on the Herndon Town Green in Herndon, Va.

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade Monday, Sept. 6 in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, Md.

Ethiofest Friday, Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 in Silver Spring, Md.; free

Carnival at Bull Run Friday, Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 in Centreville, Va.

Alexandria Arts Festival Saturday, Sept. 11 through Sept. 12 in Alexandria, Va.; free

Rosslyn Jazz Festival Saturday, Sept. 11 in Rosslyn, Va.; free

Prince William Forest Park Heritage Festival Saturday, Sept. 11 in Prince William County, Va.; free

Takoma Park Folk Festival Sunday, Sept. 12 in Takoma Park, Md.; free

Adams Morgan Day Sunday, Sept. 12 in Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.; free

Anne Arundel County Fair Wednesday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 19

Great Frederick Fair Friday, Sept. 17 through Saturday, Sept. 25 in Frederick, Md.

H Street Festival Saturday, Sept. 18 in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.; free

Children's Festival at Wolf Trap Saturday, Sept. 18 in Vienna, Va.

Celebrate Gaithersburg Sunday, Sept. 19 in Gaithersburg, Md.; free

Fiesta Musical at the National Zoo Sunday, Sept. 19 in Woodley Park, Washington, D.C.; free

Hyattsville International Street Festival Saturday, Sept. 25 in Hyattsville, Md.; free

Reston Multicultural Festival Saturday, Sept. 25 in Reston, Va.; free

Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull Saturday, Sept. 25 in Dulles, Va.; free