Air & Scare and Rennfest

Hi all,
We had kind of a busy weekend, and it occurred to me that these might be things people want to think about for next year. We loved Air & Scare, BUT it is out at the Annex by Dulles so it is a 40-50 minute driver AND it is a free event, so everyone and everyone comes ($15 to park). Gunnar loved this. It is inside trick or treating surrounded by all the big things that Smithsonian can't fit on the mall, like the Enterprise space shuttle, Concorde, and tons of fighter planes. There is a flight simulater, and I never did see anything that would fit with the "Scare" billing, so totally toddler appropriate. We went right when it started, maybe we were even 15 minutes early, and got in with no waiting. Friends who were about 40 minutes behind us hit major traffic waits, and bugged out. SO, you must go early, or you could potentially wait for hours. What limits this event is the parking lot, not the space itself. I am hoping that they go to a ticketed format next year, like boo at the zoo. This event draws the Stars Wars fans out too, so there are regiments of Storm Troopers and lots of Lukes and Leias running around too. Very geeky. Bottom line: go early, leave early. The Rennaisance Festival is great, but a little ambitious with an infant in tow. The venue is amazing, lots of permanent structures. Since it is sort of out in the woods, on dirt and grass, this is not a particularly stroller friendly event. I wore the baby. If you have a jogging stroller, this is the only kind I would try to take. The jousting was awesome, and Gunnar loved the horses. There is a tree slide and play area with a huge pirate ship, lots of stages with period music and short plays going. Also, there are lots of handcrafts for sale, you could drop some serious cash at Rennfest (although Master Card, Lady Visa, and New World Express are accepted (hardy har har)). People in costume, or "garb," make for some really cool people watching. The organizers have worked hard to make this a family friendly event. We went with friends who have a 4 and 7 year old, and this seemed like the ideal age for this event. Ok, just wanted to give people some fall ideas for next year :)