Courtesy of Svetlana Jafarova/ Shutterstock (Wheat Grass and Easter Eggs)
By Sophia Rutti
Spring is nearly here, and with the recent warm weather, we can literally feel it in the air. Around the world (well, in the Northern Hemisphere) people are standing up and celebrating the spring equinox that this year falls on March 20 at 6:45 p.m. in NoVA.
In an area this culturally diverse and exciting, there are people of all backgrounds who celebrate the spring equinox in their own way. Here is a look at how a few different cultures welcome the new season and how you can get involved and celebrate them locally:
Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Easter
This year, Easter falls on April 5.
When most of us think of Easter, egg hunts come to mind. With all the beautiful land in the area, there are countless events for kids to channel their inner Easter bunny and hop through the grass in search of eggs.
1) Easter Egg Hunts at Ticonderoga Farms: March 21-22, 28-29; April 4-5
On the weekends, Ticonderoga Farms is a veritable Easter paradise. There will be farm animals (including baby bunnies), face painting, hay rides, a farmers market and, of course, egg hunts. Tickets are $12.95 a person.
2) Easter Egg Hunt at Ida Lee Park: March 28
Ida Lee opens up its gates for children under 7 years old to hunt for candy-filled eggs while enjoying face painting, a jumbo slide and other amusements. Families are encouraged to bring lunches and set up picnics in the park. Tickets are $10 per child in advance and $15 at the gate.
3) George C. Marshall International Center Easter Egg Hunt: April 4
At George C. Marshall International Center’s 5th annual Easter Egg Hunt, kids can meet the Easter bunny, decorate bags, participate in scavenger hunts and compete for who can find the most eggs. Admission is free.
4) White House Easter Egg Roll: April 6
One of the most popular Easter traditions happens on the lawn of the White House where kids can listen to storytelling and hunt for eggs while parents can enjoy fitness zones and cooking demonstrations. Admission is free.
5) Great Country Farms Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest: April 11-12
With more than 18,000 hidden eggs and marshmallow peeps ready to be harvested off trees, kids will have the perfect Easter experience at Great Country Farms. There will also be spring chicks, baby animals and a wagon ride. Tickets are $10 for children and $12 for adults at the gate. Guests with a military ID are no charge.
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday that will be celebrated April 3-11 this year to commemorate the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery.
Local Passover Events:
1) Community Seder at Sixth & I in D.C.: April 3; 7 p.m.
There is no better place to celebrate Passover than at the historic synagogue at Sixth & I surrounded by friends and family. Come and enjoy a traditional dinner with all kosher foods and listen to Larry Paul and Robyn Helzner lead you through a traditional Seder. This event is only appropriate for children 13 and up. Tickets range from $36-$54.
Holi
Holi is a Hindu religious festival that welcomes springtime and commemorates fertility and a new harvest season. It is also referred to as the festival of colors or the festival of love and is primarily observed in India and Nepal.
Holi is not called the festival of colors without cause. People dress in white and go out into the streets with colored powders, which are thrown into the air and smeared on one another. Water balloons are filled with colors and sprayed onto people as well leaving the entire city and everyone in it as colorful as possible.
Local Holi Events:
1) Holi DC “The Festival of Colors”: April 11-12
Holi DC is an extension of the Holi celebrated in India and Nepal. People will gather, throw color into the air and celebrate spring, love and new life. There will be local musical acts as well as the performer Gaura Vani. Make sure to wear white and come ready to purchase colors at the festival. Admission is free.
Nowruz
Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, is a celebration of the beginning of spring and officially begins on the spring equinox.
Nowruz is celebrated in several steps, the first of which is Chahar Shanbe Suri: The Fire Jumping Traditions. On the night of the last Wednesday of the past year, people light small bonfires in the streets and jump over the flames saying, “Zardie man az to, sorkhie to az man,” which means “may my sickly pallor be yours and your red glow be mine.”
To celebrate Nowruz, people also set a Haft-Seen Table, which translates as the Table of Seven S’s. Families set a table with seven symbolic items to herald in the new year.
As with all great celebrations, Nowruz is celebrated by eating traditional Persian dishes with extended family and friends.
Local Nowruz Events
1) Celebration of Nowruz: Sal Tahvil 1394 at Bethesda Marriott: March 20-21
Bethesda Marriott hosts a Nowruz bash worthy of the new year. Count down and celebrate the exact moment that the seasons change from winter to spring, enjoy a traditional Nowruz buffet dinner provided by Amoo’s restaurant and let loose at the after party that features EE’s DJ Kia, DJ Mova, DJ Pedram and two additional surprise performances. Advanced tickets are $25 and tickets are $30 at the door.
2) Nowruz: Persian New Year Celebration at The Beard House: March 21
Come and get a taste of Nowruz at the Beard House by feasting on symbolic foods. You can enjoy the best of Persian cuisine while learning why and how certain foods are symbolic for the Persian New Year. Tickets are $130 for members and $170 for the general public.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is a traditionally Irish celebration held on March 17 that commemorates the death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick is most often associated with the famous account of his banishing all snakes from Ireland, a legend that emerged from centuries of storytelling.
Local St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
1)The Dubliner in DC: March 17
The Dubliner is a true Irish pub settled right in the center of Washington, D.C. It was opened in 1974 and is an authentic Irish pub with live music seven nights a week. For St. Patrick’s Day the performers will be John McGrath, Morris Minor, Jimmy Raferty and Paddy Halligan. Leave the bars behind and get a taste of Ireland in this pub without ever leaving the East Coast.
2) National Shamrock Fest at RFK Stadium: March 21
The National Shamrock Fest is back at RFK stadium and is just as green as ever. There will be more than 30 performers, including Reel Big Fish, Carbon Leaf, Gaelic Storm, Blues Traveler and Bastard Bearded Irishmen. With five stages, Irish performers, loads of green merchandise and a variety of beer and food options, Shamrock Fest is the best way to get your annual dose of Irish. Individual tickets are $29.99 for the main event and $74.99 for VIP admission.
3) Shamrock Pub Crawl in Arlington: March 21
St. Patrick’s Day is the one time a year when all the local bars turn themselves into pubs. There will be at least 13 participating bars that offer exclusive drink specials and party favors. Advanced tickets are $20 and tickets at the door are $30.