View of the crowd at the 2017 Celebrate Petworth Festival

by Elyse Newbert
guest contributor

The Celebrate Petworth Festival is rapidly approaching, and this year’s annual neighborhood festival is once again filled with fun for the whole family – including the four-legged members!

This year, the Celebrate Petworth Festival will be happening on September 8th from 11-5pm on the 800 block of Upshur. As in past years, businesses, organizations and individuals will be coming together to celebrate the creatively, diversity, culture, people and quality of life of our neighborhood.

Here are three of the activities that you can look forward to:

A happy pup at the 2017 Celebrate Petworth Festival.

Petworth Dog Show & Contest

One of the most popular events at last year’s festival, this year the Dog Show is sure to be another hit! Does your dog have the waggiest tail? Perhaps your four legged friend has the sweetest kiss? Or is your furry best friend the fastest sitter on the block? Join the Celebrate Petworth Festival Dog Show to find out. With proceeds benefiting the festival, the Dog Show is a great way to give back while having fun.

Show Categories: Look-alike contest, Fastest sit, Waggiest tail, Happiest smile, Best dressed/most glamorous, Sweetest kiss, Cutest Rescue Alum, Best singing voice/bark

Cost: $20, with all proceeds going to the Festival fund to help cover costs. Registration can be paid on the Dog Show registration page on the Celebrate Petworth Festival website.

Time: 12:30 - 1pm on the Main Stage

Please note, all dogs are welcome but proof of vaccinations may be requested.

Taste of Petworth

For the first time, there will be a section of the Festival just for local restaurants to showcase their cuisine. You'll be able to buy tickets at the festival to try out different menu items, and with your ticket purchase, you'll receive a coupon for 15% off at any participating restaurant on a future visit.

Taste of Petworth will run all day during Celebrate Petworth and offers you the opportunity to sample a range of delectable dishes from Petworth-area restaurants and to mingle with neighbors al fresco.

Homestead
Lawrence's Petworth Carry-Out & Catering
Oohh's & Aahh’s
Ruta del Vino
Salt and Pepper Grill
Spice
Short Eats at Ten Tigers Parlour

The 3x3 Basketball tournament offers winners scholarship money -- and a great game!

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament & Scholarship

This year, the festival will once again feature a 3 on 3 basketball tournament with scholarship opportunities. This is a great chance for players of all ages and skill-levels to show off their basketball talents and, if they are eligible, to win cash scholarships.

Participants: Players of all ages are welcome, cash prizes will be awarded for the best high school student-led team, ages 14-18; best female student-led team, ages 11-18; and, best middle school student-led team, ages 11-13. Winning teams must have at least one eligible student to win cash scholarships. Pick-up teams and individuals are also welcome. All award-eligible students must be enrolled in school.

Cost: Free

Registration: Teams can register for the tournament day-of or in advance. Check out the Celebrate Petworth website for the rules of the tournament and to sign up.

Even more stuff!

Dozens of vendors selling locally made food, art and crafts, a special "Taste of Petworth" area to sample some of our local restaurants, and the 2nd Annual Petworthpalooza concert in the Capital City Hydroponics gravel lot behind Petworth Citizen.

Wanna volunteer to help make the day great? Here's more info...