The 5pm Post – Barracks Row Fall Festival on Sat.

Photo courtesy of BarracksRow.org

From a press release:

“On Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill will transform two blocks of bustling 8th Street, SE, between E Street, SE, and I Street SE into a magical urban wonderland. Part All-American hometown fair and part only-in-DC happening, for one day each year Barracks Row/8th Street becomes a midway, full of music, food and favorite local traditions. The historic Home of the Commandants and Marine Barracks Washington will both be open for docent-led tours. Trapeze School New York aerialists, back for their second appearance at the festival, will pose on “silks” high above the street.

Also returning will be the Petting Zoo, sponsored by David Sheldon, Esq., where city kids meet farm animals. Starting at 7 a.m. chefs from all branches of the United States military will create culinary masterpieces in a black-box cook-off held in tents pitched near the gates of Marine Barracks Washington. A panel of hidden judges decides at the close of the festival who will be “Top Chef” in the US Military. Ending the day, the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will perform their unforgettable rifle and marching routines.

Barracks Row is home to over 35 restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. The ideal way to experience this festival is from a seat in one of the many leafy sidewalk cafes where you can sample the specials of day while watching the scene unfold. With an unprecedented number of 8th Street retailers participating this year, the festival also will be an excellent way to discover of the new generation of businesses on the corridor.”