Street Art Festival. #25

The festival had happened whilst we were away on Vacation. Its venue, the former GRTC bus depot on Cary Street. Driving back through the city on my last night, I asked to take a look. Night-time photography's not exactly my forte - nonetheless, here's a few to look at: 

 

Oktoberfest!

Watermeloning & Wall Art #18

I wasn't going to go to the Watermelon Festival. 
General consensus was that it was usually too hot, 
too crowded, just too much. But then the day dawned unexpectedly cooler and I was persuaded to attend. 

Being in its thirtieth year, it felt to be much more an excuse for a festival (generic stalls et al) than something as creative and imaginative as the Bacon's 1st one. But we walked down Carytown & back and eventually came up with themed goodies to appease me. 

i) My tasty watermelon smoothie (above), resplendent with melon chunk & plastic flower.

ii) Themed cupcakes inside Carytown Cupcakes; a bite too much for some. 

Oh & amongst the dogs spotted on the streets, this very cool attired trio!

From Richmond Mural Project, Sonni's mural on Portrait House:

Best Brunch. / There be Dragons.

Life in Richmond is one long brunch line admittedly. Discovering the Best Brunch in Richmond however was somewhat serendipitous. Saturday's festivalling was due to be found near Rockett's Landing.
A downpour ensued, at which point we headed down the hill.

 

'Housed in a turn-of-the century brick eatery that used to serve Richmond's tobacco plant workers, Millie's has been setting the trend in cutting-edge cuisine since 1989.'

So says Style: Tobacco Row diner Millie’s also could win for longest wait for a table. Not that the regulars are complaining. They bring their newspapers, chat with neighbors and queue up for spots in the two-room roadhouse, primed for 16-ounce Bloody Marys and ... a hearty brunch lineup. Triple bonus points for the jukebox."

Ah, the jukebox! One per table. I got a little excited by the mini-version-ness of it all.

"A study in eclecticism... perhaps the best symbol of an updated Richmond."
~ Bon Appetit

Their brunch certainly was eclectic & not your regular brunch fare.

 

 The rainstorm passed. Back up the hill for the Dragon Boat Festival:  

 

 

  

 We watched some rowing, watched some dancing.

Our M.C.,

These girls had a whole routine modelled on how to best let your hair dry....

The Fourth.

Or , "four score and seven years ago, our forefathers..."

There had been giggling over fb in weeks prior because the wheres & hows were waiting to be disclosed. Top Secret, even the morning of. 
  I'd been asked if I minded spending the day at a public celebration. I knew it wasn't likely to be in Richmond. I knew it involved an overnight stay. 
  As we turned onto I.95, I discovered we were headed North & not East (to the Beach). I wasn't sure how far North until we pulled off for the exit at Franconia-Springfield.
The Fourth in DC! Fun!

Still loving this sign at F-S.
Cute.

Onto the Metro, embarking at Farragut West. The Manly Man had me trailing after him & his suitcase through the streets of DC until we wound up here,

 at Hotel Lombardy

The rooms had their own 'front door' & a little hallway inside. Lots of oriental drapes & costume design-esque paintings on the walls. HL also boasts of fine European imported fabrics in their 'guest suites'.

The Three Most Memorable Things Of Our Time in DC:

1) The bed was king-size. Comfy. So wide that we couldn't hear each other talk at opposite sides (whilst there was also plenty space in which to retreat away from snoring. Heh. 

                      Sarah: "sounds like the perfect romantic getaway." Check.)

2) It was Hot. So Hot.

The hotel had been chosen as it was in walking distance of the National Mall, where we were due to spend the day. The parade had just finished as we set off allowing me to get a glimpse of some patriotic colours & costumes of the passing dancers. 

   Via Independence Avenue to join the crowds at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. A folk festival of sorts as it was more about community & diminishing crafts & trades. Folk to me reads English, Scottish, Irish & of music especially. This one was focused on Hungary: from roots to revival hence the awesome Puli.

Bulgaria however also got a look-in at the food stands,
along with India...

I had packed my Olympic scarf to wear but in the hurry to get going, had left it back at the hotel. Shade quickly became a feature of the day, after relentless queuing at the water fountain. I would've fitted right in though with the correct colours. Just like the Green of Shamrock the Block, America was saying hooray with the attire of the day like some kind of r,w&b flashmob. It interested me again how people made their wardrobes work: girls in blue denim shorts & red/white tops; t-shirts with the Stars & Stripes on a-plenty; entire families kitted out in Old Navy's 2013 t-shirts; a flag cloak here, an eagle t-shirt there... Impressive.

I decided my ice lolly could do the talking.

 It even had a Joke on the stick, just like old times!!

Sights of the festival seen, The Manly Man was keen to relocate over to the Lincoln Memorial & reflecting pool to claim ourselves a spot for the evening's fireworks. 

Shady tree located, room enough for us & (over the following hours into the evening), 100,000 people. I was glad we weren't on the Lincoln steps as pretty much packed out:

3) The fireworks were huge, spectacular. Probably the biggest display I've ever seen.

 Almost a little too flashy but then, this is the Capital so...   The fireworks which spelt out a U, misshapen S & finally, triangular A had the crowds on the steps cheering & chanting.
I giggled. But yes, they were spectacular to watch & our vantage point was nigh on perfect, beaten only by that of Honest Abe. He seems to always get the best seat every year, lucky devil. 

Back to the hotel, gladly avoiding the press of bodies headed towards the Metro station for a shower & then to the bar for a beer to cool off & wind down with. The next morning I insisted on taking the Metro from the other nearby station. 

Not one to miss a photo opportunity if it can be helped!

And back home in good time to dress that evening's show.

Whilst I was away....
 

1) Emily & Martha declared their independence & freedom from British rule 

by liberating my Tater Tots out of the freezer & onto their plates. 

(I did receive a replacement bag later on.)

2) Emily continued our fine work from Memorial Day
         with a r,w&b "poke" party cake. Nice!

Bacon! 1st Annual!

Red was still a-happening but I was determined to make it there & back before showstart at 1pm.

    So we arrived, parked (an impressive feat alone given that neighbourhood) & were on site at s.17th for half 11. Just enough time to walk around, check out the stalls & fathom the layout before the crowds really began to arrive.

  Preparations had been in earnest with this foolproof guide, thanks to Richmond.com. 

We had our "ones" handy, ready to go.  

  

I'd read the articles so I knew what I wanted to try already: 

Pretty darn tasty. Thanks On the Rox!

 Next up: 

Smokin' Bacon S'mores 

with Coffee Cured Bacon.

Truth be told, I was probably drawn by the wording & enticed by the cookie on top. 

I was trying to patronise those who'd at least tried to do something creative for the occasion. But the whole combination of flavour here was a bit too intense for me.
I showed my true colours by scraping away most of the mixture & eating the chocolate/biscuit instead. 

(Better that than their alt: Chargrilled Sichaun  Pepper Bacon & Watermelon Salad. Hm!)

Back to Oysters then, with Devils Backbone "Wood-Aged Kilt Flasher Scottish Ale" sampled along the way. (Don't you just love that name? ... They're local to Roseland, VA.)   

... Tasty! 

Oyster #2 came from Rapphannock (of East Grace), 

the same ones who'd had the tailback queue at Broad Appetit the week before. So somewhat popular!

#2: Grilled Rapphannock Oysters with Bacon Jam*

* Benton's Bacon;

  Medjool dates;

  English peas;

  Caramelised onions.

                                         - Quite the combination.

Enjoyable but my preference remained with the first. 

Doug ("Bacon's not food, Bacon's LIFE") also checked out the Gelato. (Not that special, basically being just gelato + bacon chunks.) 

 

I got on with appreciating the craftier stalls,
  enjoying the themed soap endeavour:

 

as well as a typically-Richmond festival-friendly, dog-friendly offering!

By then time was getting on, plus S.17th was becoming increasingly busier & increasingly hot. Katie & I headed to Red. Reading a review which followed, I think we 4 actually caught the best part of the day. Other theatre friends went & having queued thrice (ID check; beer tickets; beer bought), never so much as made it close to the food stalls. 

Be interesting to see what changes for next year's 2nd Annual.