Barracks Row Adds Activities to Fall Festival

Tuesday, September 06, 2011, 4:20 PM Last Updated on Tuesday, September 06, 2011, 4:28 PM Written by BRMS

A Day of Traditions

For the past ten years the annual Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill has been a day of music, food and favorite local traditions. The Home of the Commandants and Marine Barracks Washington are both open again this year for docent-led tours. Trapeze School New York aerialists, back for their second appearance at Barracks Row Fall Festival, will pose on "silks" high above the midway.

Also returning will be the Petting Zoo, introducing city kids to farm animals. The Redskins cheerleaders will again bring NFL glamour to the fair. Chefs from all branches of the United States military will create culinary masterpieces in a black-box cook-off. Once more a panel of hidden judges decides at the close of the festival who will be Top Chef in the US Military. Ending the day, the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will perform their unforgettable rifle and marching routines.

New This Year

The Washington Nationals' Presidential Bobble Heads will help open the fair but can't stay long - they have a date later in the afternoon at the ballpark to compete in their renowned Presidential Race for baseball fans at the last home game of the season.  Tickets to this final game will be for sale at the festival.

The DC Roller Girls will be on the midway all day long showing off their skating skills. An expanded artists and crafts village will inspire unique holiday gift ideas. Blue Sky, a popular local swing band specializing in Big Band tunes, will play in early afternoon. There's lots of room for dancing in front of the event stage at 8th and G Street, SE. Swing dance instructors will be there, too, to teach a few of their moves to festival participants.