Washington D.C. is a city with an extensive history. Almost every neighborhood in the city has a unique legacy that stretches back over a hundred years, and H Street is no different. H Street played an important role in the development of D.C. Although H Street suffered a decline in the 20th century, plans to revitalize H Street in the 21st century have succeeded as it has become one of the city’s most trendy spots. A big part of the street’s resurgence is the H Street Festival.
Community members first planned the H Street Festival to bring H Street back from years of hard luck, and it has succeeded. The first year of the festival drew a crowd of 500, and it has steadily grown to become one of the city’s largest annual events. The H Street Festival is D.C.’s biggest neighborhood festival, regularly drawing more than 100,000 attendees. It will kick off this year on September 17th, lasting from noon to 7 pm. This one-day festival is family-friendly with activities that can engage people of all ages.
One of the significant aspects of the H Street Festival is that it highlights the arts and humanities of Washington D.C. It combines visual and performing arts with history and culture to give attendees a deep insight into H Street and its historical legacy. The festival shines a spotlight on the emerging artistic impact that H Street is making and expands upon that impact with a host of incredible performances.
H Street Festival stretches across 11 blocks and has 14 staging areas, each with diverse themes, performances, and activities. There are both standard block party performances and less traditional showcases. Musical performances will encompass a large range of genres, including rock, soul, and pop.
There will also be fashion, poetry, heritage arts, and dance performances. Models will be walking along a runway, giving attendees a taste of what D.C. Fashion Week is like. Youth performances will showcase the next generation’s talent, and H Street artists will get the platform they deserve. There are interactive children’s shows for younger audiences to keep kids engaged and excited as well.
The festival also features activities and education. Hands-on activity stations allow attendees to try different arts and crafts and participate in guided events. Educational events discuss the history of H Street and promote arts education. Attendees can additionally walk through a large marketplace where they can browse works from talented local artists. There will be clothing, jewelry, paintings, and hand-crafted goods all for sale, so bring your wallet and support talented D.C. creators.
H Street Festival is a can’t-miss event for residents of D.C. Circle September 17th on your calendar and don’t miss out.
