Capital Pride Alliance announced the theme for WorldPride taking place in the District next year.

Three million people are expected to travel to the DMV in May for “The Fabric of Freedom.”

“The concept of freedom is what we knew a couple of years ago that we wanted to build toward,” Capital Pride Alliance Board President Ashley Smith said.

Organizers want visitors to D.C. and the United State to see it as a place of freedom, he said.

“All of us have come from a different cloth; all of us had different experiences,” Smith said. “Those are the different fabrics you have to look at that create the fabric of freedom.”

WorldPride starts May 17 and runs through June 8. The first two weeks feature Trans Pride and Black Pride. Shakira performs at a concert May 31. There will be a “Capital Cup” sports tournament. A music festival will be held at RFK Stadium. June 7 will be the familiar parade from Logan Circle to downtown and onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The street festival will be held over two days. And a march and rally is planned for June 8.

Smith also addressed concerns about how President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and Republican-controlled Congress could impact the event.

“I think that it will have some impact, yes, but we are not going to allow it to stop us from what it is that we’ve been working on for the past two-and-a-half years to really make this kind of a great experience,” Smith said. “We always knew that there would be an impact of whoever’s in the White House, but this event is not for, per se, that space. This event is on a world stage really celebrating our pride.”

“I just ask that everybody rally behind our Capital Pride Alliance family and team,” Smith he added. “If you want to join us, we’ll be more than happy to have you, welcome you in. But it’s all about the fabric of freedom, and that’s what we’re going to be focused on.”

Next year also marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital.

Showing the family around Washington, DC? These family-friendly restaurants are just what you need to kick back, recharge, and savor a great meal after a day of sightseeing. 

Capitol Hill 

Need to munch after visiting the Capitol, U.S. Botanic Garden, or Eastern Market? Try these spots.  

Pacci’s Trattoria 

Pacci’s Trattoria is where families can savor pizza and pasta and parents can enjoy a well-deserved glass of wine. 106 13th St. SE, Washington, DC 

Ted’s Bulletin 

Ted’s Bulletin serves up comfort food and retro vibes, making it a family favorite. Kids can indulge in homemade pop tarts while parents can enjoy a nostalgic hearty meal. 505 Eighth St. SE, Washington, DC 

Dupont Circle 

Checking out Embassy Row? Exploring The Phillips Collection? Eat here after. 

Hank’s Oyster Bar 

Hank’s Oyster Bar serves fresh oysters and crispy fish tacos in a casual setting where kids can try new flavors without any fuss. The laid-back atmosphere and seafood options make it a go-to for relaxed family meals. 1624 Q St. NW, Washington, DC 

Firefly 

Firefly offers farm-to-table dishes and a family-friendly vibe. Kids can dig into grilled cheese or seasonal veggies in a cozy atmosphere that’s welcoming any time of day. 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 

Upper Northwest 

When you’re done admiring the National Cathedral, hiking in Rock Creek Park, shopping for antiques at the Georgetown Flea Market, or traversing the National Zoo, these places will satisfy your hunger.  

Surfside 

Surfside brings a laid-back beach vibe to the city with tacos, burritos, and bowls that are as fun to eat as they are flavorful. It’s a great spot for families to enjoy a casual meal together, with options that let diners build their own tasty dish. 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 

Comet Ping Pong 

Comet combines great pizza with an energetic vibe that keeps families coming back. Kids can dive into a delicious meal and burn off some energy with a friendly game of ping pong. 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 

Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza 

Pete’s serves up classic New Haven-style pies that are perfect for families craving a slice of something different. The casual atmosphere and tasty toppings make it an easy choice for a laid-back meal with the whole crew. 4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 

2Amys Neapolitan Pizza 

2Amys is a neighborhood staple for Neapolitan-style pizza that’s sure to please everyone in the family. The simple, flavorful pies and relaxed ambiance make it popular for a no-fuss meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. 3715 Macomb St. NW, Ste. 201, Washington, DC 

Cactus Cantina 

Families can dive into generous portions of Mexican classics like burritos, fajitas, and tacos at Cactus Cantina. The colorful atmosphere and flavorful dishes make it a fun, easy choice for a family meal that’s full of flavor. 3300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 

Open City 

Open City is a relaxed, all-day diner where families can enjoy everything from hearty breakfasts to burgers. With a menu full of comfort food, it’s a neighborhood go-to for casual meals that everyone can enjoy. 2331 Calvert St. NW, Washington, DC 

Downtown 

Walking the National Mall? These family-friendly restaurants will help you keep your stamina up.  

Old Ebbitt Grill 

Old Ebbitt Grill is a timeless eatery where families can enjoy classic American seafood dishes. The extensive menu offers something for everyone, all served just feet from the National Mall. 675 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 

Founding Farmers 

Founding Farmers serves up hearty American comfort food with a farm-to-table twist. The spacious dining area and diverse menu make it a reliable choice for families looking to enjoy traditional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. 1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 

Feature image courtesy Founding Farmers

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This is an opinion column.

Sometimes, the universe winks.

From above me came a noise I had heard only in movies — a shrill high-pitched announcement alerting onlookers below that the show was on.

“Here I am!” it seemed to say.

It couldn’t be, could it? Here? Now? No, way! But then I looked up, and there it was.

“Is that a %#*ing eagle?” I said, hoping someone nearby would tell me I wasn’t the only one seeing this.

And not just any old eagle, but a bald eagle coasting on the wind high above the U.S. Capitol.

It was the first time in my life I had seen one. And that it should happen the first time in my life I set foot in that place seemed a little too on the nose. Perhaps I was still in my hotel bed and didn’t know it, sleeping through the hearing I was there to cover.

I tried to take a picture of the thing. I captured a tiny silhouette — enough to show folks back home I hadn’t made this up — and then it glided away.

Well, that was weird, I thought.

I went back to the business I was there for, but I never quite put that bird out of my mind. I’ve had a feeling ever since then I would be going back there someday to look for it.

As it turns out, someday will be early next year.

Recently, my wife accepted a job in D.C. We’re packing our things and tidying up our home for someone else to live in. The Whitmires are going to Washington.

This, however, is not goodbye.

Beginning in January, I’ll be what we’re calling the Washington watchdog columnist.

But I’ll be leaving the place I’ve called home since I was six months old.

Alabamian for life

Where are you from? In the South, that question means three things.

1. Where were you born?
2. Where did you grow up?
3. Where do you live?

I was born in Georgia — a fact my mother reminded me of every time Alabama acted out in some embarrassing, national-news sort of way.

I grew up in Thomasville, Ala., where my family moved when I was three. It was two hours from the nearest movie-plex and a great place to do a lot of reading.

Nearly 30 years ago, I moved to Birmingham to attend a small college that sadly no longer exists. This city is where I met my wife. It’s where my children were born. It’s where I covered the mad foibles of a lunatic mayor and chronicled the once-largest municipal bankruptcy in the history of the United States. And it’s from here that I watched the poisonous politics of my home state seep into the national bloodstream.

Alabama has been good to me, although not so much for others. I’ll be sad to leave it.

Alabama has been and always will be my home.

Alabamafication of D.C.

There’s a great change happening in our nation — that thing I’ve nicknamed the Alabamafication of America. The epicenter of that shift, however, was never Montgomery, but Washington, D.C.

Hating on Washington has become a national pastime and a gimmick charlatans use to win public trust they never earned. What George Wallace started, long before I was born, now threatens our national character, our stability and our standing in the world. When a president-elect chooses a Fox News TV personality to lead the Defense Department, you know something has gone an Alabama sort of way. When Matt Gaetz could be our next attorney general or Tulsi Gabbard the director of national intelligence, the universe isn’t winking anymore. It’s pulling the fire alarm.

My wife and I made the decision to move to D.C. before we knew the outcome of the election, and since then, friends have asked if we were certain this was the right thing for us. I’ve never been more certain of anything.

If someone is going to cover the Alabamafication of America, who else but an Alabamian?

There, I will follow around Alabama’s elected officials, sit through their meetings, get my nose up in their business, and let folks back home know what they’re up to. What I once did at Birmingham City Hall, and then did for Alabama state lawmakers, I’ll do on Capitol Hill.

Alabama has prepared me for this as only she could. For that and so much more, I am grateful.

I’m excited to explore, examine and report back what I see there — not writing about Washington for Washington, but for Alabamians.

And just maybe, I’ll find that damn bird.