Tom Howarth, DC unit president and rally organizer has provided the following information concerning rally logistics for the Cherry Blossom rally to be held at RFK statium in Washington, DC on April 6 - 9.
The Cherry Blossom Rally is getting close and there is lots to tell you in order for you to get ready. Hopefully I can answer most the outstanding questions with this post.
In order to make this limited entry time, I have two campground recommendations for folks arriving from out of town. The premier commercial campground is in College Park, MD, and is called Cherry Hill Park. This campground has full hook-ups and is relatively close to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The second campground is northeast of DC right off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway north of the Beltway next to the National Agricultural Research Center. It is called Greenbelt National Park and my understanding is that they offer primitive camping sites but have rest rooms with showers and a dump station. They have 174 sites listed for 200 acres. I have stayed at Cherry Hill Park and it is a big commercial park that is relatively expensive but offers many amenities. Reservations are recommended. I have not stayed at Greenbelt National Park although colleagues have and have enjoyed it. I believe that Greenbelt will be considerably more economical.
If approaching from VA or southern MD, I recommend following the Washington Beltway (I-495) to MD Exit 2. Note that this Exit is the last Exit in MD before the Wilson Bridge (and hence the first Exit in MD if coming from VA). Take Exit 2 for I-295 N and follow North for 5 miles where upon the road changes to DC-295 North. Continue North for 2.8 more miles. Get into the left lane and turn left on the Exit for "Benning Road". Follow Benning Road through 3 lights and then turn left at the fourth light (0.9 miles) in front of the Exxon Service Station onto Oklahoma Avenue NE. Follow Oklahoma Avenue NE for 0.4 miles to it's end and a light. Turn left at the light towards RFK Stadium. Stay in the left lane and drive around the Stadium for 0.3 miles to Gate 5 on the left. Enter the gate and then bear right and go under the overpass to "Entering Lot 8". Go straight and we will be on the right in the fenced lot.
If coming from the north, I recommend following the Washington Beltway (I-495) to MD Exit 22B for the Baltimore-Washington Parkway South 9 for "Washington"). Stay on this road for 5.6 miles and then bear left following signs for "Towards I-295" when the road splits. After the road split continue for another 2.3 miles until the right Exit for "Benning Road". Turn right at the Exit for "Benning Road". Follow Benning Road through 3 lights and then turn left at the fourth light (0.9 miles) in front of the Exxon Service Station onto Oklahoma Avenue NE. Follow Oklahoma Avenue NE for 0.4 miles to it's end and a light. Turn left at the light towards RFK Stadium. Stay in the left lane and drive around the Stadium for 0.3 miles to Gate 5 on the left. Enter the gate and then bear right and go under the overpass to "Entering Lot 8". Go straight and we will be on the right in the fenced lot.
For folks that might be more adventurous and are approaching the city from a different direction, please see the maps at the DC United site. You can scroll down to see many other directions from other roads.
Thursday meals are on your own. Ruth Baldwin and John McHugh have volunteered to do breakfast on Friday morning. Ray Brett is arranging for sandwiches on Friday night. Clayton Rogers is coordinating breakfasts for Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ruth Baldwin and John McHugh are cooking up a spaghetti dinner for Saturday night. If folks can bring extra tables and supplies we can sure use them. Clayton Rogers is bringing a generator for any emergency use.
Please try and arrive with empty holding tanks, charged batteries and full water tank.
To begin with the National Cherry Blossom Festival is on-going from March 26 to April 9th with the largest number of events occurring during our stay including the National Cherry Blossom parade on Saturday, April 8th. There are many events going on downtown including free outdoor concerts and art shows, etc. Please review the Calendar Events link for a more in-depth presentation.
The 129th Edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is at the Armory from March 28th to April 9th. During our stay, the circus will be at the following days and times: 4/6 @ 10:30 & 7:30; 4/7 @ 7:30; 4/8 @11:30 & 3:30 & 7:30; 4/9 @ noon, 3:30 & 7:30. There are group prices available. My wife, three children and I are planing on attending on Friday, April 7th at 7:30 pm, so if anyone else is interested then please let me know very soon and we might be able to get tickets together and possibly at a group rate if we have 20 or more.
The DC United are the current World Champion Major League Soccer team (and have won the championship 3 out of the 4 years of the Major League Soccer existence). Their home field is RFK Stadium and they will be playing their third game of the 2000 season on Saturday, April 8th at 7:30 pm. Again my family is planning on going so if you are interested let me know and I will see about tickets. A note about this event is that we will NOT be able to use the showers or water spigot during the time that the game is on. Furthermore we should expect that there will be some commotion and activity in the parking lot although we will be parked in a separate fenced off area. I only mention this so that folks are aware of what is going on.
Tom Howarth
202-404-8103