Washington has a triple-play of festivals on tap for the weekend. Feeling folksy? The Smithsonian Folklife Festival will cure that. Hungry for pork? The National Capital Barbecue Battle will feed that. Just need to dress up and go dancing in the streets? The DC Caribbean Carnival will rock that. Here's the plan:
The plan: The Folklife Festival, thankfully, begins Thursday, so you don't even have to get through the entire week. The opening ceremonies take place on the National Mall at 11 a.m. Can't make it out the door that early without the boss noticing? No worries. Evening concerts begin at 6 p.m. with Bhangra and Giddha: Folk Dances of Punjab on Thursday and FIL-AM Dance Ensemble on Friday.
Take to the streets on Saturday at 11 a.m. for the DC Caribbean Carnival's annual and colorful costume parade. Get a good workout here, since you're going to pig out tomorrow. The parade ends at "De Savannah," a multicultural marketplace with music, food, vendors and more.
On Sunday, head to the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle, where teams and restaurants from around the country will compete for the title of National Pork Barbecue Champion. Soo-eee. In addition to racks of ribs, there will be live music, celebrity chefs, kids' activities and free food tasting at the Safeway Sampling Pavilion — while supplies last. The event is a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Washington.
The details: Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall, Saturday through June 28 and July 1-5, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. with special evening events starting at 6 p.m. Free. http://www.festival.si.edu
Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle, Pennsylvania Avenue, between Ninth and 14th Streets, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. http://www.bbqdc.com
DC Caribbean Carnival, $10 admission to "De Savannah" at Banneker Recreation Park, Georgia Avenue at Barry Place (across from Howard University). http://www.dccaribbeancarnival.org