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President Obama’s Visit Barracks Row Fall Festival Set For September 24 by Sharon Bosworth
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t’s easy to forget fiery August days once near perfect September weather begins. At Barracks Row Main Street we’re focused on September 24 when we host the Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill. But before we tear out the August calendar page, go back to the week of August 8th when our corridor played host to two distinguished visitors. Monday, August 8, Mayor Vincent Gray proclaimed August Sidewalk Café Month at a ceremony and tour beginning at The Chesapeake Room, 501
8th Street, SE. Then, later that week on, August 10, an unexpected scene unfolded on Barracks Row which, unfortunately, many vacationing residents missed. That morning, police taped off 8th Street SE, between E and G Streets: no vehicular traffic was allowed and all west side pedestrian traffic was detoured. Crowds began forming. Hill natives able to read subtle signals interpreted the situation: a visitor from the White House would arrive soon. But, which visitor? Vice President Biden? The First Lady? The President himself? Black SUV’s with tinted windows arrived, taking up positions behind police tape. Menin-black sharpshooters were positioned on the roof of Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8th Street, SE. Motorcycle police roared in blocking off E Street between 7th and 8th Street SE. A black van pulled up: out exploded reporters and cameramen, heading for Ted’s Bulletin. At about noon, two limousines with sirens, and motorcycle escorts, turned into Barracks Row, their doors emblazoned with the Presidential Seal. Although the windows were tinted, visible in the back seat of the second limo was President Obama waving at us! Huge cheers rose up as the limos quickly turned down 7th Street, then up the alley behind Ted’s Bulletin. President Obama with Owners Perry Smith, Tye Neal, Drew Tents erected at Ted’s Kim and Mark Neal, August 10, 2011, at Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8th back door provided cover Street, SE 66 ★ HillRag | September 2011
and President Obama went inside for lunch. For details on the president’s lunch see Celeste McCall’s coverage, page XX. Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill: Saturday, September 24 Everyone, including the Obama family, has now returned to Washington. Labor Day celebrations ring out summer and ring in fall. As you make autumn plans, circle September 24th, the first Saturday of fall, for the 10th Anniversary of Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill. Festival favorites from past years will return and new activities are planned. The petting zoo is back; city kids can once again meet real farm animals, right on 8th Street, SE. In fact, this year an expanded section of the festival is devoted to kids’ activities. At National Community Church, 535 8th Street, SE, vintage Mickey Mouse cartoons will run for parents and kids who need a quick break before going back for more face painting, henna tattoo, sno-cone, cotton candy, juggler and clown action. But before you duck into the movies, take in the live sword fight scenes up the block with the compliments of William Shakespeare and actors from The Shakespeare Theatre, 516 8th Street, SE. Knife skills of a different kind will be on view at The Military Chef ’s Competition which takes place every year at the festival. The Chef ’s Cook-Off, conducted in tents set up at the gates of the Marine Barracks Washington, begins at 7am, hours before the festival officially starts. Each branch of the service, plus the White House, sends chef teams to compete in a black box competition. The lightening round begins mid afternoon; the winning team takes home the trophy as Top Chefs in the United States
Military. The Redskins cheerleaders are returning, too. At Barracks Row Fall Festival fans can meet the glamour side of the NFL, and watch pro football style cheering routines. Today’s cheerleaders are the newest members of the longest running professional National Football League cheerleading organization founded in 1962 as the Redskinettes. The cheerleaders will be at their booth on the midway where you can speak with them and get autographs.
Full Support from the United States Marine Corps Our United States Marine Corps neighbors once again have offered their full support for the Barracks Row Fall Festival with Marine Corps volunteers helping with set up and tear down. During the festival Commandant and Mrs. James Amos are inviting us in: the newly renovated Home of the Commandants is open for hourly docent-led tours. Colonel Paul Montanus, Commander of Marine Barracks Washington will open the 2011 festival along with Tip Tipton, president of Barracks Row Main Street. The Washington National’s Presidential Bobble Heads, George and Tom will join us, too, before they leave for National’s ball park to root for the home team at the afternoon game against the Atlanta Braves, the last home game of the season. Buy game tickets at our Barracks Row Main Street booth. The renowned Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is scheduled to perform later in the afternoon. With no audible cues, these Marines synchronize split second rifle and drill maneuvers. Every year the SDP is a show stopper. Fair- goers watch spellbound