DC’s best Labor Day festivals

What's CITY Talking About?

The Carpool Lane Is For Carpooling

Virginia State Police are amping up the enforcement of HOV lanes on Interstate 66 outside the Capital Beltway. So if you’re trying to drive toll-free, you must actually have three or more people in your car. Otherwise, you may be fined between $125 to $1,000. [WTOP]

DC Shelter Lawsuit Dropped

A neighborhood group that opposed the creation of a new homeless shelter in Ward 2 has dropped its lawsuit. George Washington University sold the building — a former dorm — to the city last week. [X, formerly known as Twitter]

• But it’s not over yet: More lawsuits may be on the way because this shelter has caused massive controversy among residents, advocates, and business owners in the area. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Federal Agency Is Pro Cannabis

The Department of Health and Human Services has recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration lessen restrictions on marijuana use. HHS wants it to be reclassified as a lower-risk, Schedule III controlled substance, putting cannabis in the same category as some prescription drugs. If the recommendation is followed, it could be the most significant federal cannabis reform yet. [Washington Post 🔒]

What To Do

🥧  Greenbelt Festival | Friday - Sunday | All Day

This family-centered festival has an event for everyone, from pie eating and sack races to craft fairs and concerts. [Free, Greenbelt]

🪄 DC Magic Festival | Friday - Sunday | Varies

Some of the nation’s best magicians are coming to the Capitol Hilton to make you laugh, gasp, and gape in awe. [Varies, Downtown]

🎉 Chinese Cultural Festival | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Watch traditional performances like lion dances and waist drum performances or catch one of the many crafting and cooking demonstrations at this annual festival. [Free, National Mall]

🎵 DC Sing-Along | Saturday | 5 - 7 p.m.

Bring your maracas to the Temperance Alley Garden behind U Street NW and sing along with your neighbors. [Free, U Street]

🌻 Sunflower Festival | Saturday - Sunday | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The hour-long drive is worth it for this PYO sunflower festival. Besides six acres of yellow flowers, it also has hay rides, local art, food vendors, and a petting pen. [$15, Hughesville]

🥭 Paw Paw Hunting | Sunday | 9 a.m.

Take a morning trek and learn how to find America’s illusive “forgotten fruit.” It tastes like a mix of a mango and banana, and is the only temperate member of a tropical fruit family. [$10, Register for location]

💃🏽 Getting Zouk-y With It | Sunday | 4 - 8 p.m.

Learn Brazilian zouk dancing at La Cosecha followed by an hour of social dancing. All proceeds will benefit local

nonprofits. [Donation-based, Union Market]

🧭 Historic Anacostia Tour | Monday | 10 a.m.

From the trading grounds of the indigenous Nacotchtank to a Whites-only suburb known as “Uniontown,” learn about Anacostia’s history and sites. [$35, Anacostia]

⛱️ Banneker Last Hurrah | Monday | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Banneker is closing down for the season! Monday is your last chance to splish-splash at D.C.’s favorite public pool. [Free, Pleasant Plains]

DC Insider Trivia

First, let’s answer last week’s question:

How many total Capital Bikeshare stations are there?

1. 78
2. 250
3. 405
4. 737

The correct answer is 737! Congrats to the 30% of you that got the right answer, particularly to Jennifer L., Brian G., and Barbara S. who got it right first.

If you’re thinking “Wow! That sure is a lot!” you’ll be even more surprised to know that these people succeeded in visiting every single one (🎧).

Everyone knows the Washington Monument is the tallest structure in D.C. but what is the tallest habitable building in the District?

1. The Cairo
2. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
3. Old Post Office Building
4. The National Cathedral

Today on City Cast

Pandemic Migration Costs, Driverless Cars, and Renaming the Commanders

The pandemic changed where people want to live, and it’s messing with D.C.’s budget, self-driving cars may soon be messing with our roads, and lots of folks hope the new Washington Commanders owners will mess with the team’s name.