17th Street Festival Planned for Sept. 25
The first 17th Street Festival will raise funds for tree box plantings, light post flags and the Ross School PTA. (Scott Hall for 17th Street Festival)
The 17th Street NW corridor will get its own festival this fall on Saturday, September 25. The commercial strip between P Street and Riggs Place will play host to musical performances, artist vendors, a pet zone, a kids zone and an auction tent from 2 to 6 pm.
The festival was planned as a way to celebrate the completion of DDOT’s 17th Streetscape project, which got underway last December. The Streetscape project has brought new sidewalks, lighting and tree boxes on both sides of 17th Street between Massachusetts Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue NW–after a lot of digging, dust, jackhammers and blocked off traffic lanes and sidewalks.
Sponsorships and Beneficiaries
The 17th Street Festival (also on Facebook) is being organized by the Historic Dupont Main Streets project, Ross Elementary School PTA and the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA). Festival organizers are selling sponsorships to individuals, businesses and organizations. Items are also being solicited for a raffle.
Proceeds from the sale of festival sponsorships will be used to purchase flowers and plants for 17th Street’s of tree boxes, as well as flags for the new light posts. The light post flags will promote local groups, organizations and upcoming events.
Additional funds from sponsorships will go toward a fund for future 17th Street projects and festivals, as well as to the Ross Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Anyone interested in making a raffle donation should contact Nina at [email protected]. Potential festival sponsors should contact Jennifer at [email protected]
Ross Elementary School Open
According to Lee Granados, chair of the Festival, “We want this event to highlight our overall community including businesses, independent entrepreneurs, artists and musicians and our local public school, Ross Elementary.”
This May photo shows work on the brick-accented sidewalks that are now part of the 17th Street corridor. (Borderstan)
Granados said that Ross will be open to the community during the festival on September 25. The PTA is encouraging area residents who are interested in DC schools to visit–especially if they have young children who would be eligible to attend Ross.
Call for Artists: Sept. 11 Deadline
Festival organizers hope to have as many as 50 local artists at the 17th Street Festival. Artists will be able to display and sell their artworks. You can get more information from the Call for Artists application, including contact information. The deadline to submit an application is Saturday, September 11 at 6 pm.
For more information about the 17th Street Festival, contact Lee Granados at [email protected]
