1-3 WATERFORD FAIR – Music, crafts and tours of Colonial homes are spotlighted at this annual event Oct. 1-3 from 10 to 5 in Waterford, Va. $12, children 12 and younger free. 540/882-3018.

1-3 INTERNATIONAL HOT ROD RACING – The President's Cup Nationals take place Oct. 1-3 at Maryland International Raceway, on Route 234 in Budds Creek. Times, prices TBA. 301/449-7223.

2 FREDERICK'S IN-THE-STREET CELEBRATION – Music, dance, entertainment, pony rides, a petting zoo, a treasure hunt and contests are featured at this celebration Oct. 2 along Market Street in Frederick. Details TBA. Free. 800/999-3613 or 301/694-2489.

2-3 FELLS POINT FUN FESTIVAL – Outdoor street festival, with arts and crafts, food, music, Oct. 2-3 from 11 to 7 along the Fells Point waterfront in Baltimore. 410/675-6756.

2 ALEXANDRIA ARTS SAFARI – From the King Street Metro to the Potomac, the focus on Oct. 2 will be on the visual arts with lots of hands-on activities for children and adults and architectural and archaeological tours. 703/548-2531.

2 TASTE OF BETHESDA – Street festival features samples from area restaurants, music and other entertainment Oct. 2 from 11 to 4 around Fairmount, St. Elmo and Cordell avenues in Bethesda. 301/215-6600.

7-10 U.S. OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACE & Summer Cruisin' Classic Car Weekend – This Ocean City event, held Oct. 7-10 from the Inlet to 60th Street, features an Oct. 10 race with six classes of powerboats, plus 2,000 classic cars and trucks. Call for times, details. 800/626-2326.

7-11, 14-17 ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOWS – Seven days of boat shows in the first half of October, with displays of sailboats in the Annapolis Yacht Basin, Oct. 7-11, and of powerboats, Oct. 14-17. Hours are 10 to 6 for both events. $12, $6 children 12 and younger. 410/268-8828.

9 RIVERFEST – Juried arts and crafts festival with music, children's entertainment and other activities, Oct. 9 from 10 to 4 in Riverfront Park on the Patuxent River in Laurel. Free. 301/483-0838.

9-10 PATUXENT RIVER APPRECIATION Days Festival – Celebrate Maryland's largest intrastate river with boat rides, lighthouse tours, seafood cooking demonstrations and children's activities, Oct. 9-10 from 10 to 5 on the grounds of the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Md. 410/326-2042.

9-10 APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL – Crafts, apple-butter and cider-pressing demonstrations, music and other entertainment Oct. 9-10 in Berkeley Springs, W. Va. Details TBA. Free. 304/258-3738.

9-10 CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN COLORFEST – Enjoy the autumn foliage, along with arts and crafts created by more than 300 artisans, music and other entertainment at this huge festival, Oct. 9-10 from 10 to 5 in Thurmont, Md. Details TBA. Free. 301/271-4432.

9-11 TASTE OF D.C. – Two outdoor stages with live entertainment and 45 area restaurants serving food are featured at this festival Oct. 9-11 from noon to 6 on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between Ninth and 14th Streets. Free admission, but there's a charge for food tastings. 202/724-5430.

10 HERNDON FOLK FESTIVAL – Three stages of music, arts and crafts, children's entertainment and other activities Oct. 10 from 10 to 5 around the Town Green in Herndon. Performers, times TBA. Free. 703/435-6868.

16 INTERNATIONAL GOLD CUP – Steeplechase racing Oct. 16 at 1:30 over the course at Great Meadow on Route 245 2 1/2 miles south of I-66 in The Plains, Va. Times, ticket prices TBA. 540/347-2612.

17 DUPONT CIRCLE HOUSE TOUR – Tour historic homes of the Dupont Circle neighborhood Oct. 17 from noon to 5. Prices TBA. 202/265-3222.

21-26 GOODWILL'S USED BOOK SALE – More than 150,000 used books, CDs, records, cassettes, sheet music and artwork are on sale at this annual fund-raiser, Oct. 21-26 at the Washington Convention Center, Ninth and H streets NW. Details TBA. 202/636-4225, Ext. 1257 (TDD: 202/269-3713).

24 MARINE CORPS MARATHON – Thousands of runners will take part in this marathon Oct. 24. It starts at the Iwo Jima memorial in Arlington around 8:30 a.m. and follows a course that crosses into the District, passes all the major monuments on the Mall, then ends back at the memorial. Call 703/784-2225.

24-31 WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW – Hundreds of horses and riders will compete for prizes in the Washington International Horse Show, Oct. 24-31 at USAirways Arena. Times, ticket prices TBA. 301/840-0281.

5-7 NATIONAL SKI EXPO – Exhibits from more than 100 ski resorts, previews of the latest ski films, ski wear and accessories at this annual show Nov. 5-7 at Ballston Common, Wilson Boulevard and Glebe Road in Arlington. Times, details TBA. 703/912-9332.

11 VETERANS DAY – The fallen of the nation's wars are honored Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery and at 1 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Free. 202/619-7222.

12-14 WASHINGTON HOME DESIGN and Furniture Show, featuring hundreds of exhibits devoted to making your home ever more perfect, Nov. 12 from noon to 8, Nov. 13-14 from 11 to 7 at the Washington Convention Center, Ninth and H streets NW. $8, $4 for seniors and children 10 through 16 (younger free). 301/261-2180.

12-14 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL – The annual celebration of ducks and geese in photographs, paintings, carving, and other media, with music, duck-calling contests and other activities Nov. 12-14 in Easton, Md. Admission, times TBA. 410/822-4567.

ALL MONTH KENNEDY CENTER HOLIDAY FESTIVAL – Free performances and holiday concerts, starting in late November and ending on New Year's Eve. 202/467-4600.

EARLY DECEMBER PAGEANT OF PEACE – The lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse south of the White House kicks off a month of activities. Date, details TBA. 202/619-7222.

3-5 SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS WALK WEEKEND – More than 100 Scottish clans dressed in tartans and playing bagpipes march through Alexandria's historic Old Town. Parade is free. Admission for other events. 703/549-0111.

3-5 AUDUBON HOLIDAY FAIR – Arts and crafts by more than 100 juried artisans, gourmet food, music and live animals are featured Dec. 3-5 at this annual fund-raiser at Woodend, the Audubon Naturalist Society's headquarters at 8940 Jones Mill Rd., Chevy Chase. Admission, times TBA. 301/652-9188.

31 THE MILLENNIUM ARRIVES – New Year's Eve celebrations welcome the new millennium in Alexandria, Annapolis, Baltimore, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Montgomery County and Warrenton with alcohol-free, family-oriented festivals. For Alexandria, call 703/836-1526; for Annapolis, call 410/280-0700; for Baltimore, call 800/282-6632; for Fredericksburg, call 800/678-4748 or 540/373-1776; for Leesburg, call 703/777-6306; for Montgomery County, call 301/217-6798; for Warrenton, call 703/777-6306.

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