Still Life with Robin: Are the Sploot Days Over for 2026?

by Peggy Robin

The past few days have been weather-wild, haven't they? Not sure whether that storm was a DERECHO or not, but whatever it was, it was one for the record books.

In the aftermath, it's so humid you feel like you're walking through a wall of water instead of air.

But Capital Weather (formerly known as Capital Weather Gang), is predicting that we're now on our way to cooler, calmer weather (well, at least for the Labor Day Weekend!), and that the summer of long 90-degree spells is behind us...we think!

This is good for us, of course....and good for the squirrels, who have no air conditioning in their treetop homes. The main way they attempt to cool off is to assume the SPLOOT. What is a "sploot?" you may ask. Well, here's a good one:

And now a close-up of the squirrel's glazed-eye expression:

P.S. I follow the photographer/artist Artologica aka Michele Banks on Blue Sky, @artologica.net. Here's her self-description: 

Michele Banks Artist inspired by science Friend to squirrels https://www.etsy.com/shop/artologica/

She has one of her artworks in the Glen Echo Art Exhibit that is on now and through the Labor Day Weekend at Glen Echo Park. Here's her BlueSky post about it:

Artologica aka Michele Banks @artologica.net :

This gel electrophoresis watercolor will be in the Glen Echo Labor Day art show glenechopark.org/LDAS from September 5-7

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! DC May Not Be a State (Yet!) But We've Got a Real State Fair!

 by Peggy Robin

It may not go on for nine days, like the Montgomery County Fair, or five, like the Arlington County Fair, but at least we have ONE day...and it's a good'un!

Here are the deets:

DC STATE FAIR

Celebrating the District’s agricultural, culinary, and artistic talents.

Join us for the 17th annual DC State Fair - a free, daylong celebration of all things homegrown in the District, from urban agriculture and culinary creativity to local art and music. Enjoy live performances, local vendors, educational workshops, and 50+ contest winners - plus live competitions for best outfit, pie eating, flower arranging, chili, and mac & cheese!

📅 Sunday, September 6, 2026 |🕙 11 AM – 6 PM | Rain or shine  | Free admission

📍 Anthem Row, downtown Washington, DC (800 K St NW)

The 2026 DC State Fair is presented in partnership with the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID).

The DC State Fair is a free showcase of the District’s agricultural and creative talents and a celebration of all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions - growing and gardening, contests, and delicious foods - the DC State Fair honors the things that make the District of Columbia unique.

Don’t forget to plan ahead and pack a reusable water bottle, reusable cutlery, and a shopping bag. The DC State Fair makes a concerted effort to reduce waste, and you can be part of the solution. From encouraging vendors to use compostable food service ware, to training and overseeing volunteers to staff on-site “zero waste stations,” the DC State Fair is working toward being a zero-waste event.

Performers

Headliner: SOROCHE

Elijah Jamal Balbed featuring members of The JoGo Project

Pocket Threes

Location: Anthem Row, 800 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

AGENDA

11:05 AM - 11:35 AM  Pocket Threes

11:40 AM - 12:10 PM - Jump DC

12:15 PM - 12:45 PM Agriculture and Art Contest Winners Announced

12:50 PM - 01:10 PM Best Outfit Contest

01:15 PM - 01:45 PM National Hand Dance Association

01:50 PM - 02:10 PM Flower Arranging Contest

02:15 PM - 02:45 PM TBD

02:50 PM - 03:20 PM Culinary Contest Winners Announced

03:25 PM - 03:55 PM Pie Eating (Kids contest and Adults contest)

04:00 PM - 04:30 PM Talent Show performance

04:35 PM - 05:05 PM Elijah Jamal Balbed featuring members of The JoGo Project

The JoGo Project is a 2x WAMMIE Award-Winning band from Washington, DC led by Saxophonist and Multi-Instrumentalist Elijah Jamal Balbed. While a student at Howard University, Elijah received a life-changing call to perform with the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown. For the next year, Elijah performed in Chuck’s band until the Godfather’s passing in 2012. In 2014, Elijah participated in the Strathmore Artist-in-Residence program where he debuted JoGo - a band created to bring his Jazz and Go-Go worlds together, and to help continue the legacy that Chuck left behind. Since the band’s inception 12 years ago, JoGo Project has won two WAMMIE Awards and has also been nominated for two others. In 2018, members of JoGo served on a cultural diplomacy tour in Russia. In 2019, the band released their debut holiday track featuring the legendary Sugar Bear from Experience Unlimited. Elijah and the band have been featured in two prominent books about Go-Go.

05:10 PM - 06:00 PM SOROCHE

SOROCHE incorporates traditional Colombian percussion like the tambora (the heartbeat of cumbia) along with poetic lyrics and multi-instrumental melodies, proudly wearing their cultural roots on their sleeves. SOROCHE seeks to represent the immigrant experience by transmogrifying modern and traditional sounds into a danceable alchemy that crosses cultural borders and dancefloors.

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local, usually on Thursdays, but this week, on a Wednesday.

Still Life with Robin: Thank you, Dolly, for all the books you gave us

by Peggy Robin

Adding my voice to the near-universal chorus of praise for the great lady we lost. I'm talking of course about the one and only Dolly Parton. And since the Still Life with Robin column is always supposed to be DC-related in some way or another, I have no trouble identifying what Dolly did for us here in our own little corner of Dolly's world.

I'll let our Director of the DC Public Library system Richard Reyes-Gavilan explain:

"Through the Books from Birth program she founded, Dolly Parton championed literacy across the United States and inspired families to embrace the joy of reading. For more than ten years, more than a hundred thousand of the District’s youngest residents have benefitted from this extraordinary program, which delivers one book per month to children from birth until age five. We are profoundly indebted to her—not only for her timeless music and cultural influence, but for her unwavering belief that every child deserves access to books and the opportunities they create. Meeting her remains one of the absolute thrills of my professional life. We will always love Dolly Parton."

[Posted on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social/post/3mtwkfnnbep2d]

To which I can only add, Hear, hear!

[Posted on BlueSky:  https://51st.news/dolly-parton-imagination-library-dc-kids-books/ 

Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress]

Dolly's legacy lives on -- Sign your child up for Books from Birth and get FREE books!

https://www.dclibrary.org/using-the-library/books-birth

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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local, usually on Saturdays but occasionally on a Sunday.

Get Out! Eat Your Way Around the World at the 10th Annual World Cultural Festival in Alexandria, VA - Sat, Aug 29

 Around The World Cultural Food Festival

 Saturday, August 29, 2026

 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

 Oronoco Bay Park

100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314

 Convenient parking available nearby

 Easily accessible by public transportation

FREE ADMISSION. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. PET FRIENDLY. RAIN OR SHINE EVENT.

 10th Year Anniversary! Celebrating a decade of global flavors, cultures, and community

Step into a world of flavor, rhythm, and tradition at the 10th Anniversary Around The World Cultural Food Festival, returning bigger and better in 2026! Hosted at the beautiful Oronoco Bay Park, this one-of-a-kind festival is the only event of its kind in the DMV, bringing the sights, sounds, and tastes of the world together in one unforgettable day.

This isn’t just a food festival—it’s a full cultural immersion. Every bite, performance, and handcrafted item invites you to travel the globe without leaving Alexandria.

 What to Expect

 A Global Culinary Experience

Taste your way around the world with ethnic food vendors serving authentic dishes from across continents. From bold, spicy street foods to indulgent international desserts, every stop is a new adventure.

 Two Beer Gardens

Relax and sip at two beer gardens, featuring a thoughtfully curated mix of local and international craft beers—perfectly paired with the festival’s global flavors.

 Live Cultural Performances

Experience vibrant music, traditional dance, and live cultural showcases throughout the day. These dynamic performances bring the stories, heritage, and energy of cultures from around the world to life.

 Arts & Crafts from Around the Globe

Explore an international marketplace filled with handmade treasures. From jewelry and textiles to art and home décor, each piece reflects the creativity and cultural roots of its maker.

 Family Fun & Kids’ Corner

The festival is fun for all ages! Kids will love the Kids’ Corner, featuring moon bounces and engaging activities while parents enjoy the food, drinks, and entertainment.

 This milestone 10th Anniversary celebration honors a decade of bringing cultures together through food, art, and shared experiences. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime fan, you’ll leave inspired, full, and connected to the world around you.

Join us and celebrate 10 years of global culture, cuisine, and community at the Around The World Cultural Food Festival—an experience you truly don’t want to miss!

#AroundTheWorldFestival #CulturalFoodFestival #GlobalFlavors #DMVEvents #AlexandriaVA #OronocoBayPark #CulturalExperience #InternationalFood #FoodFestival #GlobalCuisine #BeerGardens #CulturalPerformances #ArtsAndCrafts #HandmadeMarket #FamilyFriendlyEvent #KidsCorner #FestivalVibes #WorldCulture #ExploreTheWorld #FreeAdmission #PetFriendlyEvent #RainOrShine #SummerFestival #FoodAndCulture #OneOfAKindEvent #CelebrateCulture #FestivalLife #DMVFoodies #ChicEventsDC

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Picture the Wildlife

 by Peggy Robin

I'm a regular follower of Rodman St resident Tom Hentoff, whose photos of DMV area wildlife -- as well as photos taken in his travels -- have won him multiple nominations in our end-of-the-year Cleveland Park Listies awards for Photo of the Year, including a win in 2023.

I've been following his BlueSky posts throughout the summer, and the photos just keep getting better and better. So I thought I'd share a selection in today's Still Life with Robin, starting with....

Beaver showing off for visitors to the Tidal Basin  https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3l26uoft64q2o

Immature Robin https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3msotzusavc2n

Fawn in Rock Creek https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3mrvrsthnic2e

Green Frog on a Stem https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3mrifeld5bk2o

Due to the Listserv's limits on the display of images in a single message, I need to send you directly to his BlueSky feed to see more:

Red Tailed Hawk near Taft Bridge 

https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3mrqpz7dwdc2h

Asian Jumping Wall Spider on Maine Avenue - really extraordinary -- but trigger warning! - not for arachnophobes!!

https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3ms7tfcwccs2x 

Laughing Gull Flying over the Potomac

https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3mtkiwp5tj22r

Immature Woodpecker on Rodman St.

https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3mrinyibc6s2i

Monarch Butterfly in Central Park, NYC

https://bsky.app/profile/tomhentoff.bsky.social/post/3mstxxpfch22l

All of the above pictures...plus a few of mine, too...can be found in the PHOTOS section of the Cleveland Park Listserv in the album WILDLIFE IN AND OUT OF CLEVELAND PARK.

You are very welcome to add your own wildlife photos to this album. Here are the upload instructions: 

1. Go to the WILDLIFE IN AND AROUND CLEVELAND PARK in the  PHOTOS section of the Listserv and click on Wild"Spring Flowers" (the 9th album in the section).
2. Click on the green "+ADD PHOTOS" button.
3. Drag and drop each photo you want to add, one by one, or hit "click to choose photos".
4. (Optional) Write a brief description of each photo. Useful info: When and where the photo was taken.
5. Hit "Upload"
6. Very Important: Do NOT check "notify members".  The correct way to let readers know that you've added your photos(s) to the album is to write a message to clevelandpark@groups.io about the photos you have added to a Listserv album. Copy and paste into your message the link to view each photo. That way, readers get to choose whether or not they want to view your photos. (If you click the "notify members" button, everyone gets a notification, whether they want to view your photos or not -- and the moderator will be very annoyed at you. If I knew how to disable this feature in Groups.io photo albums, I would.)

Who knows....you might win a Listy too!

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.

Get Out! The National Book Festival Is On Saturday, August 22 at the Convention Center

by Peggy Robin

Get your (free) tickets now! All attendees must register in advance. Here's what the website tells us about the tickets needed for entry (highlighting added):

Join us for the Library of Congress for the National Book Festival, taking place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Doors open at 8:30 am.

Festivalgoers can enjoy many of America's most beloved writers in conversations, interactive programs, book signings and family-friendly activities for attendees of all ages, while exploring the Library’s collections, services and resources.  This year’s festival is also part of the Library’s celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. 

 

The festival is free and open to the public. Free tickets are required for festival entry to help manage attendance and communications and support a smooth experience for festivalgoers. Advanced registration is encouraged; same-day tickets also will be available through this site. Each person may reserve up to 12 tickets. All children over age 2 need a ticket.  

 

Tickets will be issued digitally and sent by e-mail after registration. Festivalgoers should bring their tickets either on a mobile device or as a printed copy. Visitors should allow time for security screening before presenting tickets to enter the event.

 

Tickets are for general entry into the Walter E. Washington Convention Center building(s) only and do not constitute a reservation for admission to specific author events, book signings and other programs, which will remain available on a first-come, first-served basis and do not require separate ticketing. 

 

Tickets are not required to view the festival livestream or videos, which will be available on loc.gov/bookfest.

 

Visit loc.gov/bookfest to find information about authors, programs and activities, planning your day, frequently asked questions and more. 

For technical assistance with registration, including help reserving tickets, accessing e-tickets or loading tickets after registration, please contact eTix Customer Support or call eTix at 1-800-514-3849. 

Here are some useful websites to help you plan your day:

Register For Free Tickets HERE.

Festival Home Page HERE.

Authors Lineup HERE (for those famous enough to be named in the press release) or alphabetical listing of all participating authors HERE.

Event Schedule HERE. 

Family Friendly Activities HERE.

Skip the crowds! ATTEND ONLINE.

Download & Print the Festival Program, Site Map, And Other Info HERE.

For Info on Security Screening, Directions, Public Transit, And A Lot More, click HERE.

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The Get Out! event of the week is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Still Life with Robin: Find My....

 by Peggy Robin

You know about Apple's "Find My...." tracking program? It's the greatest thing... up to a point. You can track your iPhone, your wallet, your keys, your luggage, anything you can tag with a tracking fob or a credit-sized card that works on the Apple "Find My..." system. There's also a comparable app for Android users.

I've been using it for a while, most often to get the "Find My" app to locate my misplaced iPhone. Every time I've done this, it shows me that the phone is somewhere in the house. Trouble is, it doesn't tell me which room. I live in a house with a basement, first and second floor, plus a finished attic, as well as front, back, and side yards where I've occasionally dropped my phone. (Tip: Do NOT put your phone in a shallow pocket while gardening. Or setting up a sprinkler!)

Recently, I was complaining* to my adult daughter about the limitations of the "Find My" system when it came to pinpointing where I left my phone, and she came up with an absolutely brilliant solution. I offer it to you, free of charge: She programmed my phone to initiate a series of steps whenever it receives this one-word text message: "findmyphone." My phone responds automatically to this text message by turning its volume all the way up and opening its music app, playing "Runaway" by Del Shannon. And it will keep playing it on a repeating loop, until I follow the sound to the location of the phone, open the app, and turn off the music....or until the battery runs out (if, for some unknown reason, I can't find it after hours of searching). 

So now I use FindMy to be assured that the phone is in the house and so that I won't have to go turning things over in every room on every floor to track the thing down. Now I know, if I hear "Runaway" coming from the basement, the phone is probably at the bottom of the laundry basket, under all the dirty clothes. If the song is coming from my home office, I may find it on the floor under my desk, where it probably skidded out of sight, underneath the large, ergonomic footrest. If it's in the kitchen, it may have been closed between the pages of a looseleaf binder of recipes and then put back in the bookshelf of cookbooks. These are all real places where I've found my phone in the past, before the FindMy system was in use and my daughter created the program to make it sing to me. 

Now I just listen for the music and lyrics...."As I walk along I wonder what went wrong..... My little runaway". 

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* which, is of course one of my peak skills; if they gave out awards for extraordinary achievement in complaining, I'd have a shelf full of medals and trophies.

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local from time to time, most frequently on Saturdays.

Get Out! It's ELEFEST on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the National Zoo

 by Peggy Robin

ELEFEST at the NATIONAL ZOO: Friday, August 7 - Sunday, August 9   

In honor of World Elephant Day, join us as we celebrate the Zoo’s newest Asian elephant calf, Linh Mai, with a three-day festival packed with culture, conservation and community! 

Visit the Zoo from Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, and enjoy a mix of free family-friendly activities and special ticketed programs, including:

National Zoo Elephant Day

Time: Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Outside Elephant Community Center

Learn more about Smithsonian's long-standing commitment to the care and conservation of Asian elephants.

• Meet the veterinarians who care for the health of our herd
• Chat with Keepers and Curators to learn about a 'Day in the Life' of an Elephant Keeper
• Discover just how much an elephant eats with insights from our nutritionists
• Write a personalized 'thank you note postcard' to share with the Elephant Keeper Care Team

Somapa Thai Dance Group 

Time: Saturday, August 8, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. 
Location: Lion/Tiger Hill 

Experience traditional Thai dance performances celebrating Asian heritage. 
Free and open to the public.

DC Public Library (DCPL) Book Truck & Elephant-Themed Story Times

Time: Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
Location: Visitor Center Auditorium & Lion/Tiger Hill

The DC Public Library joins us with their book truck for special elephant-themed story times and activities for young readers at 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center. It's part of their Discover Summer initiative, an all-ages city-wide celebration of reading and learning. The DCPL book truck will be at Lion/Tiger Hill from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free and open to all.

Chalk Riot 

Time: Sunday, August 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: Great Meadow 

Chalk Riot turns streets into canvases for community expression, using ephemeral mediums and site-responsive practices. Partake in creating a colorful chalk mural that comes to life before your eyes. This family-friendly activity is free and open to the public.

Rhythmaya Dance Group 

Time: Sunday, August 9, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: Lion/Tiger Hill 

Enjoy a vibrant South Indian dance performance before joining in for a short interactive workshop. Free and open to the public.

Sorry, these events are sold out:

EleFest Happy Hour — Friday, Aug. 7 (SOLD OUT) 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last entry 6 p.m.)

Location: Elephant Community Center Patio

Yoga With Elephants — Saturday, Aug. 8 & Sunday, Aug. 9 (SOLD OUT)

Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 Two sessions: 7 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. / 8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Location: Elephant Community Center

Flavorful Favorites

Throughout the month of August, discover special food and drink items across the Zoo. Enjoy an elephant cookie from Dolci Gelati, 'Linh Mai's Trunkful of Treats' mint chocolate chip ice cream from Dippin' Dots, or the 'Linh Mai Tai' cocktail (21+) from Vintage Views.

And if you can't make it in-person, donations help make the Zoo's work with Asian elephants possible.

Learn More

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 

3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008

Visitor Services: 202-633-2614

Website: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Get Out! And Wish Bao Li a Happy Birthday on August 4 at the National Zoo

 by Peggy Robin

Here's your invitation from Smithsonian National Zoo:

Join us in celebrating the fifth birthday of Bao Li, our male giant panda, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 9 a.m.! This marks Bao Li's second birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

Get tickets/register (free event): https://nationalzoo.si.edu/passes/2026-08-04

Highlights:

• Panda keepers will present Bao Li with a "beary" special birthday treat — a custom fruit-based ice cake made by the Zoo’s commissary team.
• Can’t make it to the Zoo? Tune into the Giant Panda Cam to catch the celebration live.
• Admission is free for all visitors. (Donations are welcome.)

This milestone birthday is particularly special as Bao Li is one of the few giant pandas currently living in North America. His presence signifies hope for the future of giant pandas and celebrates the success of our collaborative conservation efforts. 

Since the arrival of the first giant pandas in 1972, the Smithsonian’s panda conservation program has made significant contributions to the recovery of these iconic animals, leading to their removal from the endangered species list in 2016. Join us as we celebrate Bao Li and the ongoing success of our panda conservation efforts, made possible through collaboration with the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association, our dedicated donors and sponsors, and visitors like you.­

More info: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/events/bao-lis-birthday-celebration 

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 

3001 Connecticut Ave., NW 

Washington, DC 20008

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.

Get Out! Saturday Is Smithsonian Family Day, 10am-4pm - FREE!

by Peggy Robin

 

Bring the family to the Arts & Industries Building for a rich, immersive experience for all ages! The historic space will transform into a family-friendly celebration of the nation's history—inspiring a new generation toward the future through hands-on Activity Experience Zones, live performances, and outdoor fun in the Haupt Garden (weather permitting).

 

Details

Smithsonian Family Day is a one-day celebration bringing together families to celebrate America's 250th birthday, our founding, and our future.

 

When:  Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. EDT

Where:  Arts and Industries Building and the Haupt Garden

Cost:  Free Admission, no tickets or registration are required

Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program, Wheelchair accessible

Website: https://www.si.edu/250/events

 

Enjoy a full day of programming, including:

 

Hands on educational activities offered throughout the day

 

10:00am - 10:45am: Dylan Lizza Quartet, Jazz Music Performance

11:00am – 11:30am: Professor Wingnut Wants to Fly, Discovery Theater Performance

11:45am – 12:30pm: The Washington Ballet, Performance and Movement Class

12:45pm – 1:15pm: Capital Accord Chorus, Performance and Singalong

1:30pm – 2:00pm: Professor Wingnut Wants to Fly, Discovery Theater Performance

2:15pm - 3:00pm: Amelia Earhart, Reenactment Performance

 

Theater, music, and dance performances at the Folklife Stage:

Also look for surprise visits from the Smithsonian's founding benefactor, Jimmy (James) Smithson, George Washington, Amelia Earhart, and Xavier Riddle from PBS KIDS!

 

Know Before You Go

 

Getting Here
The Arts & Industries Building is located on the National Mall at 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560. We strongly encourage visitors to take public transportation, as parking on the National Mall is extremely limited. If driving, limited street parking and paid garage options are available in the surrounding area. The nearest metro stations are the Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza.

 

Entry
Entry is free and open to all. Please be prepared for potential wait times. Doors open at 10:00am at the North entrance to the Arts & Industries Building on Jefferson Avenue.

 

Food & Water
Families are welcome to bring outside food to picnic in our designated indoor area or in the Smithsonian Gardens. Nearby Smithsonian museums have cafes with food for purchase, including the Castle Cafe Summer Shack, Moongate Cafe in the National Museum of Asian Art, and Dolcezza Coffee & Gelato at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

 

Accessibility
The Arts & Industries Building and Haupt Garden are fully accessible. Accessible entrances, restrooms, and pathways are available throughout the venue. The Folklife performance stage will have live ASL interpretation for our programs throughout the day.

 

There will also be a Family Calm Zone in the West Hall, which will be a sensory-friendly space for rest and relaxation for all ages.

 

Guests requiring reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event are encouraged to contact us in advance at info@si.edu at least one week before the event date. General accessibility information can be found at the Smithsonian's Office of Visitor Accessibility website.

 

Weather
Smithsonian Family Day is a rain-or-shine event! Outdoor activities in the Haupt Garden may be adjusted in the event of severe weather. Entrance lines may be quite long and are located outdoors.

 

Questions?
Our volunteers and staff will be on-site throughout the day to assist you. For advance questions, please call us at 202-633-1000.

 

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is usually posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays but this week it's a day late. (Blame Amtrak's spotty wifi for the delay.)