Smithsonian Folklife Festival - California and Basque

Over the last two weeks or so, the National mall is transforming in to another Smithsonian folklife festival. This year California and Basque innovation and culture will be highlighted. The festival begins tomorrow. It is also the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Because of that the Capitol grounds were again prepared for the concert and fireworks. The perimeter is fenced off for crowd control with only two entrance and exit points. As we were walking about this morning on this very overcast and humid day, the last touches were being put in to place- flowers in pots, instructions for the groups who will be sponsoring and managing the event, putting up the huge BASQUE sign, and providing directions and signage for the new addition at the arts and industries building where crafts and other items will be on display. We think we might wander around there sometime over the next couple of days. The crowds seem to be getting bigger and bigger as the week goes on. It's always a very busy time of year here. My husband loves all this commotion. I'm just not as enthusiastic as he is. But at least we don't have to rely on any transportation to get there, except our feet. 

Polish Festival at St. Stanislaus in Fall River

It's been ages since we attended the Polish festival in Fall River. The last time we were there was for my parents fiftieth wedding celebration. We all joined our family in Boston and made the trip south to visit known and familiar landmarks of days gone by. That's where my parents were born, met, and got married. What I remember about the festival is the food, but also losing my balance and sticking my foot, with shoes and socks, in water after a little boat ride, and having a very soggy and squishy situation on one side only. At a later time, someone threw a dart right in to someone's head! Luckily it didn't stick! My cousin still has connections there, and I found these photos on Facebook advertising the event this coming weekend. I sent the food photo to my mother. She remembers the festival well and has wonderful memories from them all. We are pretty sure the venue has changed, but the event remains the same. There are hundreds of these community activities going on all over the place, but this one brings back a really good feeling. 

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Peru

It's been a while since we took a walk on the mall. We returned from Florida two days ago and it's been raining non stop. It's great for the vegetables, but not much else. So we finally ventured out this morning to get back in to a routine. The usual summer tourist activity is well underway, with huge lines in front of the Air and Space museum. A couple weeks back we saw the construction crews putting up the guts for the upcoming Smithsonian Folklife Festival that is held every year around the Fourth of July. Usually it is closer to the Castle, but the turf restoration project has taken up a lot of green space. Usually there are three countries or cultures that are showcased, but this year there is only one - Peru. The festival is featured on the east end nearer to the Capitol, and has exhibits on either side of the mall. The center section has remained clear for the throngs of visitors who will flock to the Mall for the fireworks. We strolled through the grounds, and it was quite busy on a Sunday. Traditional sights included rope bridges, dances, music, art, textiles, colorful native costumes - and of course, food! This is one of the reasons we really like living in DC. There is always something to do. And for us, all we have to do is walk a couple of blocks to get there. 

National Cinco de Mayo Festival

It was a splendid weekend for outdoor activity. On Saturday evening we walked over to the Nationals Stadium for Opera in the Outfield. It was Mozart's Magic Flute simulcast from the Kennedy Center. After a short rain shower the show went on with a phenomenal sound system that it felt like we were indoors when the lights went out. Yesterday we took our usual Sunday afternoon walk over to the Mall. You never know what you are going to run in to. We heard the music from the distance, and walked towards the Washington Monument. It was the National Cinco de Mayo Festival complete with horses, cowboys, and salsa. As the time passed the crowds grew larger. It was so very colorful and energetic! Along the grassy mall were groups of kick ball and soccer teams seriously playing, and large groups meandering about. Last week was so rainy and miserable that to be outside after the long and harsh winter was simply wonderful. We returned home passing through the US Botanic garden and are never disappointed with the fountain in full splendor, and the varieties plant and flower life emerging with the changing seasons. Every time we think about where we would move it's hard to decide. There aren't a lot of places that have all of this free entertainment, and all we have to do is walk over to see it.