Washington, D.C

LIST | Free and low-cost Cinco de Mayo events happening in DC this weekend

Published

2 months ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

LIST | Free and low-cost Cinco de Mayo events happening in DC this weekend

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Cinco de Mayo is coming up on Sunday — But the festivities will be happening all weekend.

Washingtonian Magazine’s Briana Thomas has a rundown of free and low-cost activities for the whole family.

7News’ Melanie Hastings spoke to Briana Thomas with Washingtonian Magazine about the events:

1. Shipgarten

“Shipgarten is located in the McLean Tysons Corner area. It’s a restaurant and bar. They throw a lot of themed events because they have outdoor and indoor spaces. And specifically for Cinco de Mayo this weekend, on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. they are going to be throwing a festival. It is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, so the entire family can enjoy this. There’s going to be three-legged races, a jalapeno eating contest. There’s going to be a yelling contest and a lot of different things that could earn you a gift card. And at the same time, there’ll be a kid friendly festival happening as well, that includes a moon bounce and appearances from the movie Encanto as well. This is totally free.”

2. Hook Hall

“You can actually go to Hook Hall, which is a bar on Georgia Avenue. And they are bringing in the professional wrestling group, Lucha Libre who’s going to be performing various matches. One, which is 21 and up only for adults. And that is going to be at 7 p.m. on Saturday. But during the day at 2 p.m., kids can also watch a wrestling match. There’s going to be live music, a mariachi band is going to perform.”

Tickets for both family-friendly and adults start around $25.

3. Bryant Street Market

“Bryant Street Market is a food hall in Northeast. And starting on Friday, you can attend a free salsa social. So if you want to practice your dance moves and your footwork, this is a good place to do it. And then on Saturday, there’s going to be a Farmers’ Market at the shop from vendors, as well as a DJ block party that’s going to take place from 3 to 10 p.m.. And then on Sunday, there’s going to be a pinata-making workshop that’s pretty fun.”

4. 12th annual Running of the Chihuahuas race

“All dog lovers and Chihuahua owners specifically, are invited to The Wharf DC for the 12th annual Running of the Chihuahuas race taking place this Saturday. I mean, this is the cutest event ever. Of course, chihuahuas are from Mexico. In fact, they are named after a Mexican city and so this is the perfect event for Cinco de Mayo. The event is free. It’s family-friendly. There’s going to be about 150 chihuahuas racing down a 60-foot race track along The Wharf from 2 to 5 p.m. They’re going to capture this on jumbo video. And the good news about this is it to help support and raise funds for the World Dog Rescue. So this is a fun event, but also for a good cause.

5. Mercado DC Street Food Festival

“The Mercado DC Street Food Festival is taking place on Sunday. The tickets are pretty affordable, they start at $15. In fact, children can enter this event for free. It’s going to be a chance to sample food from Latin restaurants, as well as salsa lessons will take place. There will be craft cocktails and mocktails as well. And there’s going to be live music from Latin bands. So it’s going to be one big party taking place actually on Cinco de Mayo. It’s actually taking place in Eastern Market inside their North Hall.”

All of these events are free or easy on the budget and happening this weekend.

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Related Topics:Briana Thomas cinco de mayo DC Family friendly Featured festivities free events Low-cost activities Washingtonian Magazine

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Washington, D.C

Where to watch the first Biden-Trump presidential debate in D.C.

Published

28 mins ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Where to watch the first Biden-Trump presidential debate in D.C.

D.C. bars treat presidential debates like Stanley Cup finals viewing parties, with happy hour specials flowing and sound from the TVs replacing the jukebox. At the same time, is it funny or sad that both Union Pub and Dirty Water have chosen a variation of “Here we go again” to advertise their Thursday night events?

If you don’t want to watch in your living room — or can’t bear the thought of watching alone — these bars offer everything from drinking games to half-price drinks.

The restaurant/bar/bookstore is showing the debate at all eight of its locations. The programs vary slightly: The Busboys in Mount Vernon Triangle includes a post-debate discussion with former Ohio state senator Nina Turner, the co-chair of Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign; the branch at 14th and V NW offers a discussion about the proposed ranked-choice voting ballot amendment in D.C.; and other restaurants feature open-mic poetry before the debate. Locations and times vary.

For $25, get unlimited Bud Light, Shock Top and Hoop Tea drafts; Yuengling bottles; Miller Lite cans; and rail drinks at the H Street NE sports bar from 7 p.m. until the end of the debate.

D.C.’s first LGBTQ-owned brewery offers happy hour pricing during the debate, including for its own Dissent Hazy IPA, rums from St. Michaels’s Lyon distilling and Mount Defiance’s Smoked Virginia Whiskey. Specials begin at 9 p.m.

The Red Derby — recently voted one of the top five dive bars in the D.C. area — offers two different experiences Thursday. Downstairs, the debate is streaming on the projection screen, while customers drink $3 PBRs and $3.50 shots of house tequila or whiskey, or snack on half-price grilled cheese. Upstairs on the roof deck, it’s business as usual, and blissfully politics-free. Specials run all night.

Shaw’s Tavern has made a name for itself as a place to go for D.C. political theater, opening early for congressional testimony and confirmation hearings. All tables are already reserved for the debate viewing party on Florida Avenue NW, but there will be bar stools and standing room available for walk-ins. Bottles of wine are half-price all night. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m.

Union Pub, located steps from Senate office buildings, boasts that it’s “busier during the State of the Union address than major sporting events.” On Thursday, it’s offering a debate drinking game; a “drink poll” that encourages customers to order red or blue vodka drinks to see which is more popular; and a plethora of drink specials including $4 house beers and $4 shots, discounted pints and pitchers of Yuengling and Pacifico, and $22 buckets of Bud Light. For groups, the bar is keeping its $340 “Guilty Pleasure Platter” that’s recommended for 12, with 34 wings, platters of totchos and mini corn dogs, a dozen sliders, 12 house beers, 12 “Orange Shots” and 12 mystery beers. Specials begin at 6 p.m.

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Washington, D.C

Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says

Published

8 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says

More than 70 people were displaced Tuesday in a huge apartment-house fire in Southeast Washington, the D.C. fire department said.

The two-alarm blaze broke out in the 2600 block of Bowen Road SE and was extinguished by 4 p.m., according to the department.

At least one person was rescued by ladder, the department said. Two people, including a firefighter, were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries were reported.

The fire apparently broke out on the top floor and attic area of a four-story apartment house and spread to adjoining buildings.

The cause was not immediately known.

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Washington, D.C

Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend

Published

15 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend

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Fireworks go off above the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol during an Independence Day fireworks display in Washington D.C., United States on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON – More than 1.8 million Washington-metro area residents are projected to travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to AAA.

This marks a 6% increase compared to last year and over 5% more than in 2019.

“With school out across the country, summer vacations are in full swing, and the 4th of July holiday seems like the perfect time for a getaway,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

FILE-Travelers search for their suitcases in a baggage holding area for Southwest Airlines at Denver International Airport on December 28, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

“We are seeing that a residual impact of COVID has been greater work flexibility, affording many the opportunity to work remotely and extend weekend and holiday trips,” Ali added.

AAA estimates that more than 1.6 million metro-area residents—nearly 90% of travelers—will drive during the holiday week. This is an increase of nearly 6% compared to both last year and 2019. “Nationally, gas prices are trending about 11 cents lower than last year. Here, in the D.C. metro area, Tuesday’s average of $3.49 is a penny less than a year ago,” noted Ali. She added that while pump prices are expected to remain stable until after Labor Day, the hurricane season could potentially impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers, leading to fluctuations.

Air travel is also anticipated to be strong, with AAA projecting more than 129,000 D.C. area travelers flying to their July 4th destinations. This is nearly 7% higher than last year and more than a 12% increase compared to 2019. AAA’s booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket at $800. Ali recommends travelers arrive at airports two hours early, reserve parking in advance, and opt for carry-on luggage to save time and money.

The “other” travel category, which includes buses, trains, and cruises, is also seeing a rebound, with over 79,000 District travelers expected to take these modes of transportation. This represents an increase of nearly 12% compared to last year, although it is still down more than 8% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. “Baltimore and other hometown ports remain popular and convenient for many in our region,” stated Ali. She also noted that cruise travelers can find deals this summer as new ships entering the market lead to targeted discounts on older inventory.

Nationally, a record 71 million people are predicted to travel for the holiday this year, with more than 60 million hitting the roads. Air travel is also expected to set a record with nearly six million travelers, reflecting a 7% increase from last year and more than a 12% rise compared to pre-pandemic days in 2019.

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