With 32 sites to visit, live entertainment and children’s activities scheduled, Montgomery County’s 15th annual Heritage Days, on June 23 and 24, are planned to engage history buffs, music lovers and residents just looking for something to do.

The events run from noon to 4 p.m. each day with specific times planned for the entertainment.

“Montgomery County has an amazing history and [Heritage Days] is an opportunity to show, in one weekend, a large portion of that,” said Peggy Erickson, executive director of Heritage Montgomery, which sponsors Heritage Days. “The events attract a surprising number of visitors who take advantage of the weekend, but nothing is too crowded to enjoy.”

In the Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac areas, residents can visit Glen Echo Park, itself a historical site as a former Chautauqua camp and, later, a place where African Americans and their supporters faced down segregationists who wanted to keep the amusement park open only to whites.

A museum at the park tells that story.

Also at Glen Echo is the historic 1921 Dentzel Carousel, on which rides are $1.25.

Glen Echo Park, at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., will host the 229th Army Old Line Brass Quintet at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Spanish Ballroom. The Washington Revels Heritage Voices and Roustabout Band will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“Glen Echo is always a proven winner,” Erickson said.

A lesser know museum open for Heritage Days is the American Latvian Museum, 400 Hurley Ave., Rockville.

Dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Latvians in the United States, it is noted for its collection of hand-woven textiles.

“The county has a large Latvian community and this [museum] tells their history,” Erickson said.

Traditional Latvian music will be performed throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

Other sites in the down county area to visit include:

ź The Clara Barton National Historic Site, 5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo;

ź the Josiah Henson Special Park (Uncle Tom’s Cabin), 11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda;

ź the Beall-Dawson House and Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine, 103 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville;

ź Red Brick Courthouse, 29 Courthouse Square, Rockville;

ź Blockhouse Point Civil War Experience, 15000 River Road, Potomac. This site includes a 2-mile guided hike starting each day at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free. For more information and a list of all the activities available, visit www.heritagemontgomery.org.

pmcewan@gazette.net