Comments on: Don’t Forget the Carribean Day Festival and Parade is Saturday

By: E-girl

E-girl — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:36:36 +0000

I’m not new to Petworth and I didn’t mean to give the impression that you can cross anywhere. You have to be well north and south of the two major vending areas. Technically on the south end that would be 7th, not Georgia.

By: Toby

Toby — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:09:22 +0000

I don’t think those of you new to Petworth are aware of the absolutely major traffic disruption to the area that the Caribbean Festival is. You just can’t cross GA for most of the day. So be prepared and plan accordingly.

By: Nita

Nita — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:30:58 +0000

Yeah, I’m talking about the “independent” show…I’ve rented in DC for years so I’ve had my fill of fighting to go down to the Mall. I only recently bought in Petworth (in part due to all the wonderful comments on this blog), and I can’t wait for the local display. While many of my friends are more of the get-out-of-dodge mindset, I figure I have to experience the whole shebang (ha, bang) at least once!

By: djdc

djdc — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:09:25 +0000

ShermanCir, I just spoke with a longtime resident who lives just north of Sherman Cir and she spoke fondly of the families who put on the shows, basically exactly what you said, except that she was also impressed that the families always made sure to dispose of the trash and cardboard. Maybe it’s a few others, not them, who don’t have the same courtesy (I don’t know).
I live near the circle too and the shows are impressive. Even better if you can get on your roof and see amazing shows 360 degrees everywhere you look, even up into Maryland. I know some people hate it, and I can’t see how it’s entirely legal, but it is really, really impressive.

By: E-girl

E-girl — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:37:12 +0000

“Independent fireworks”…lol. I’ve already had the preview twice this week.

By: ShermanCircle

ShermanCircle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:24:44 +0000

Unless you have a nice, higher elevation location, and perhaps a roof-porch, you won’t be able to see the Mall’s fireworks from Petworth.

However, shall we say ‘independent’ fireworks shows will be occuring throughout the neighborhood. Around Sherman Circle, near where I live, there have been 3-4 different families/groups that set up before sunset, and put off quite a fireworks show, all evening long. And these are not just roman candles, and bottle rockets, but shells, starbursts and other ‘real’ fireworks. They have an apparent sense of pride about the show they put on, and seemingly compete with one another to put on a better display. And it will go on all_night_long.

I have come to appreciate them. Though the next morning there is cardboard and other firework detritus on my property and around the neighborhood, it is a good show, and far better than fighting the crowds and finding parking or taking metro to the Mall.

By: Kalia

Kalia — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:18:46 +0000

What happens around Petworth 4th of July? Is there a main show people go to? Can you see it from most of your own porches?

By: Nita

Nita — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:43:28 +0000

Thank you ShermanCircle and E-Girl!! I guess I’ll try to run my errands on the “east” side before 10, and then stay on the “west” side. Thank goodness I have a designated parking spot. I’m excited to see what I can of the parade, never having seen it before. I’m also looking forward to experiencing July 4th, although my Petworth friends warn me that I may lose my hearing.

By: E-girl

E-girl — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:38:28 +0000

Make no mistake Nita…If you live northern enough you just have to cross over north of Missouri. If you live south of Petworth i.e. Parkview and Pleasant Plains you might be slightly more affected. It’s not impossible to cross, just give yourself some extra time if need be.

Whether it’s trying to leave your home and having to back out of one way streets leading to Georgia, or trying to come back in to find a parking space, it will be difficult I’d guess until 2-3 o’clock. The amount of pedestrian traffic is great as well during the parade. Once it finishes the bulk of activity will be at the northern start point and Howard U (Banneker park) where all the vendors are located.

By: ShermanCircle

ShermanCircle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:05:29 +0000

Yes, all of Georgia from Military/Missouri down to Howard University will be closed tomorrow. If I recall correctly, the parade starts at 11, and the police will begin closing off cross-streets at about 10/10:30 in the upper parts of GA Ave (the parade runs south), and I suspect around the same time or slightly later as you move southward.

The first year my wife and I were living in Petworth, we knew nothing of the parade. I was out of town, and she went to run errands, only to find her route home closed off. She called me to find out a way home, and after much effort, I think she drive north, and was able to cut across on military, and back down towards our home, but only after much consternation and effort.