Columbia Heights Day–Dull Times
Columbia Heights is the midst of a boom. At the Target, a lot of shelves are empty. This can only mean that people are buying stuff. New restaurants have opened up in recent months (a gastropub, a pretty great pizza place, the now ubiquitous Five Guys). Foot traffic has increased, etc. Its main drag may still be ugly as hell but it has more activity.
This is all to say that I expected much more from Columbia Heights Day. This is why I must respectfully disagree with Prince of Petworth’s assessment (”Columbia Heights Day — Good Times“). I hate to go negative on an event that’s just two years old. But C’mon! This did not feel like a celebration. It felt like a wake inside a Peckinpah film.
Full disclosure No. 1: I did not get to see the cupcake eating contest. Full Disclosure No. 2: I half expected rides. If you thought I was not exactly the CHD’s demo, you would be wrong (the cupcakes were vegan). The big disappointment is that the boring i.e. political outnumbered the fun. There was allegedly face painting (didn’t see it). There was a petting zoo (pretty cool, admittedly, but inferior to any county fair). And there was a moon bounce (smaller or same size of moon bounces found at any block party). The rest of the attractions for your CHD: Jim Graham and Patrick Mara (at least when I was there in the afternoon).
Kids of all ages do not find Jim Graham or Patrick Mara (I’m guessing here since he’s a newbie) entertaining. They attend these events because that’s where voters are–they shake hands, look “real” or “casual,” and pass out pamphlets that will promptly get deposited in the nearest trash can (not nearly enough at CHD).
Two things lacking to CHD that would have made CHD endurable: a well-kept field and festival food. By the time we got there, food consisted of dueling snowball makers and small samples of chips and runny guac. All this no food/no fun was held on a dirt field on the grounds of Harriet Tubman Elementary School at 11th and Kenyon Streets NW. The bands–not worth mentioning. I’m sorry but a guy noodling on a guitar like he’s opening for Merzbow doesn’t count.
Next time, organizers should block off some streets, take over a real field, and get some meat on a stick.
*photo courtesy of Prince of Petworth.
16 Responses to “Columbia Heights Day–Dull Times”
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October 6th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Ummmm.. what time did you get there? There was free food being made from 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM. It wasn’t hard to find, it was right next to the main stage. There was a was also smoker making pulled pork all day in which you should have smelled even if you kept your eyes shut the whole day, which came out at 5.
Some pictures of people other than Jason having fun (and generally not talking to politicians):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamietre/sets/72157607787898066/
October 6th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Ay, Ay. The pictures of the festivities are rather jolly. I thought the yoga exibition particularly pleasing. Interesting post, altogether.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Oh - and the bands — not worth mentioning? Did you expect Dave Matthews? I heard most of the music and I only remember one performer who was even remotely “noodling.” There was a reggae band, hip-hop, funk, even a tap dancer.
And I guess it’s not surprising that even Wapo Express has heard of Flex Matthews and City Paper hasn’t, though.
I thought the music was great. And best of all, all the entertainers were local. That was the point.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
The City Hater hates again.
I’m guessing Jason does not live in or near CH, since his first associations are Target, Five Guys, and two other businesses within spitting distance of the metro stop.
CH Day #2 was a great time– I enjoyed reconnecting with neighbors and friends. I have lived in DC for 6 years, and I have only recently felt part of a real community– shortly after I moved to Columbia Heights.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
i was there in the late afternoon, between 4:30-5:30, and i have to say that i agree with the post. there were almost no people there. the only tables set up were for politicians, the DC fire department, a condo building, and some pottery. there were 2 snoball makers, the petting zoo, and some free chips. the main stage was empty, and there was a dude playing guitar on the blacktop by the school.
after hitting Fiesta DC last weekend in Mt. P, i have to say that this was pretty pathetic, even if it was just a “lull” in activity.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Sorry Jason - the point of the festival was NOT to cater to vegan yuppies but members of our local community. This is why we gave away free (non vegan) food and this is why we had a family zone with games for children and a petting zoo. I talked to at least three children who had never seen a camel before and one who had never even seen a bunny rabbit.
And are you seriously complaining about the fact that the soccer field doesn’t have full grass coverage?
October 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Urban Pioneer, the festival officially began at 10:00 AM ended at 5:45. You might try stopping by the event before last call next time.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
@Jeff - are you seriously calling a City Paper reporter a yuppie???
October 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Well, in order to be a hipster, he would have to work in the food-service industry or be unemployed. Given the recent bankruptcy filing, I expect that might be the case soon, but in the meantime yuppie (=young urban professional) seems accurate enough for a journalist working for an urban rag…
October 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
@urbanpioneer
yes. Young Urban Professional - I’m pretty sure that fits the bill of just about every city paper reader under the age of 30
October 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Hey, Cherkis isn’t even that young anymore!
October 6th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
@Amanda… ouch!!
October 7th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Do not criticize Columbia Heights Day or else Columbia Heights Day will come after you.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:21 am
no doubt—more than one person has said that CHD was less than exciting, and the defenders come out like sharks.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
While my overprotective volunteer staff may not have appreciated the criticism. I appreciate your feedback and we will be making every effort to expand the programming, scope and amenities year over year. That being said, in year one we pulled off the festival in 4 months with 5 volunteers. This year we had twelve volunteers and twelve months and I think even being able to have food, a petting zoo, free children’s games, a cupcake eating contest and a complete second stage was still quite a feat. I’m very impressed by my dedicated and unpaid colleagues.
Additionally, our four largest donors included two national businesses, one local business and a resident of Columbia Heights. If we can double our staff and funding again for year three, I’m sure we’ll be able to make it even better. (Ahem…if anyone wants to donate their time and money please email columbiaheightsday@gmail.com.)
However, we never intend to be like Adam’s Morgan Day or La Fiesta. We’re quite happy with the folksy community atmosphere of the day and most of the parents in the neighborhood are thrilled to have a safe and virtually free event to take their children to. So in response to the comment about rides…you might expect to find them next year, especially if we find ourselves being able to fill up Kenyon St.with vendors and food, which we have blocked off each year.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Columbia Heights Day was a total failure, mismanaged & misconceived. Boring is too mild a word - it was soporific. In the end, it was just another waste of money, typical for DC.