TWO MORE DAYS…..WILL YOU SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO RESTORE AND ENHANCE OUR FRONT YARD?
Here is a reason to listen to some good music, make some positive memories, cultivate some memorable friendships and of course, a reason to party with a purpose. The purpose or cause is to raise attention and money for needed improvements in our Front Yard – The National Mall. Now that is the kind of event I am more than willing to support. Let me explain.
On May 20th, I wrote about Imagining a Place of Peace. This place of peace will eventually be a recently redesigned Constitution Gardens. However the reason for this event is bigger than Constitution Gardens, it’s about our entire Front Yard. A place of multiple monuments, memorials, moments that are historical, as well as some personal moments for me.
Skipping along the Mall in my youth, I did not have the assistance of volunteers or docents, to help me find my way. Today there are volunteers and docent’s for The Trust For The National Mall, as well as The National Park Service to assist, inform, educate, and keep guests safe that have traveled to visit with us. In the summertime, I used to know how long it would take for me to get from the Monument end of the Mall or from the Nation’s Capitol to the Smithsonian Castle, just in time to not miss lunch with my Dad. The Castle was our meeting place and the Security Guards knew I was Buddy’s daughter – I felt safe wandering the grounds of our Front Yard. Ah, those were the day’s…..times are very different now. The distance seems to have almost doubled and the view has not been pleasant for years.
The turf on The National Mall was so unhealthy. The compacted soil gave a dismal foundation for turf to be healthy. There were more bald, bare spots than turf of any kind.
Efforts are underway to restore the turf and the ground it grows in, as well as repair the Cistern’s below. The initial restoration has begun and looks terrific. Who is behind this effort? The Trust For The National Mall in partnership with The National Park Service. Under the Leadership of John Akridge III, The Trust For The National Mall has begun focusing and publicizing efforts to restore Our Nations Front Yard. Future generations will be able to participate in the care and use of this National Treasure – Our Front Yard. How exciting that the Landmark Music Festival recognized that this was worthy of finding great artists, great food vendors, introducing innovative festival ideas and creating an end of summer event to remember. Did someone say party with a purpose?
Let me just say, if you go to the website – http://www.landmarkfestival.org, the details are ALL there. Musicians like Drake, Wale, Albert Hammond, jr. and Daughter are a few of the artists performing for this event. The line up is phenomenal….the website allows you to listen to a bit of the artists music…in case you are not familiar with artists like Son Little, The London Souls, Miguel or The Lone Bellow…just to name a few. I personally want to hear Daughter sing “Landfill”….and Miguel, of course, sing anything!
At a Festival of this magnitude, good…no GREAT food is in order. The OUTSTANDING, local Foodmeister, Celebrity Chef and recent HERO for standing up for his beliefs (if you are reading this, I LOVE YOU FOR THIS) Jose Andres, Think Food Group, has curated some delicious memorable food that will linger on your palette as you groove to the music. All this to raise money for the necessary improvements to continue in Our Front Yard. Jose can’t do this alone,so there are other food partners, to numerous to mention….but a few names of note – Old Ebbit Grill, Oyamel, Rockland’s Bar B Q (I am tasting this now…mmmm) and what’s a DC party without Ben’s Chili Bowl? TELL ME this is not going to be a great party for a purpose?
Other items that make me think that this will be talked about for years to come are:
This is a family friendly event. Children under 10 can hang out in kid land, as long as they accompanied by a ticketed adult. The organizers seemed to have thought of most reasons for anyone to say I can’t make it…LET’S GO!!
Five stages….40 artist’s….TWO DAYS of festivities
No selfie sticks (the website has a list of other items not allowed-including alcohol)…..amazing, making sure that comfort, safety and non obtrusive items are simply not an issue at this event….GENIOUS!
Another great offering that the organizers came up with is the ability to activate your armband and go cashless. Simply tap and pay for merchandise, food items, as well as drinks offered on the grounds of the festival. You can sync your debit card to pay as you go….HOW AWESOME IS THIS??
An event like this in West Potomac Park, to raise money that will go towards restoring and enhancing Our Nation’s Front Yard is quite exciting! To participate in an event that is sponsored and supported by C3 Events, Front Gate Tickets, Destination DC, The Trust For The Nation Mall and The National Park Service, as well as the music industry (and many others too numerous to name), so that my grandsons will see a better National Mall when they grow older…how awesome is this??? I AM IN…ARE YOU?
For more information go to:
http://www.landmarkfestival.org
Can’t make this EPIC event, donate – http://www.nationalmall.org
To read more about Constitution Gardens check this out – http://cottageitc.wpengine.com/?p+2256
LET’S PARTY WITH A PURPOSE AS WE RESTORE OUR NATION’S FRONT YARD!
SEE YOU THERE!
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