The Annual Dog Days Sidewalk Festival returns August 5 and 6, promising two days of relaxed, urban wandering. Nearly 100 businesses spill onto the sidewalks of the MidCity neighborhood’s vibrant U Street NW corridor, stretching from 7th to 17th Streets, and offering interactive specials, sales and merriment. Now in its 18th year, Dog Days is the largest sidewalk sale in the city, covering 25 blocks in the heart of Washington, D.C., and attracting more than 15,000 people.

Highlights include:

• City Paws: Photo booth on Saturday from 12pm-4pm, pet and people goodiebags, and giveaways. Plus, the Humane Rescue Alliance will be on site with their adoption van full of adorable pets up for adoption!
• Lettie Gooch: $50 and under sidewalk sale, plus 30% off all spring and summer apparel (some exclusions may apply)
• Miss Pixie’s furnishings & whatnot…: 20% off everything in the store
• Cork Market will sponsor its annual lemonade stand with house-made treats and its famous spicy lemonade, plus 30% off select wines
• Cork Wine Bar: Happy hour from 1-5 pm
• Studio Theatre’s “Taste of Studio” open house (Saturday only) is a multi-floor artistic and community experience with food and beverage tastings, art installations, musical & theatrical performances, behind-the-scenes tours, and the studio flea market
• Whitman-Walker is partnering with a number of Union Kitchen vendors to create a pop-up food festival at Lot at the Liz, the arts-splashed space at 1701 14th Street, NW
• The African American Civil War Museum will hold an outdoor exhibit at the memorial (10th and Vermont) with souvenir items at a discount.
• Prospect Restaurant: 10% off your entire purchase if you mention “Dog Days”
• Frank & Oak: 15% off all purchases
• Nellie’s Sports Bar: $4 Stoli drinks, $5 hats and $6 burgers

A full list of nearly 100 businesses is featured at dogdaysdc.com.

“We are always seeking opportunities to showcase the diversity of our neighborhood,” said Diane Gross, owner of Cork Wine Bar and Chair of the MidCity BID Exploratory Committee. “We are excited that the MidCity BID will sponsor this event for the second time — the Dog Days festival shows the power we have when working together, and the types of events a BID can do to bring more visibility and success to the neighborhood.” The MidCity BID Exploratory Committee is seeking to form a business improvement district to beautify and promote the neighborhood.

Founded in 2000 by Home Rule, this event has grown from a one-block festival to now include the vibrant area on 14th Street NW between Thomas Circle and Florida Avenue, and U Street NW from 7th Street to 17th Street. The weekend starts with a kick-off party at Miss Pixie’s furnishings & whatnot... on Friday, August 4, then all-day specials and promotions on Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6.

“Bringing the community together to support local retailers and small businesses in my neighborhood is just about my favorite thing,” said Pixie Windsor, owner of Miss Pixie’s and one of the chief organizers of the event for the last few years.

Take a magnificent urban stroll, and explore all that MidCity has to offer! Support your favorite local businesses, then wander the surrounding blocks to explore something new. Connect with #exploremidcity on Twitter @midcitydogdays, Instagram @midcitydogdays, and Facebook/MidCityDogDays.

ABOUT THE MIDCITY BID EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

MidCity is one of Washington DC’s most unique, eclectic and dynamic districts. Its iconic businesses, cutting-edge art galleries and storied entertainment venues have elevated DC’s cultural identity and cultivated its music, design, fashion and culinary scenes. From furniture to fashion, from live music to theater, from half smokes to fine dining, MidCity is recognized all over the region as the heart of DC.

The MidCity BID Exploratory Committee is a group of commercial property and business owners exploring the opportunities offered by a business improvement district (BID) to elevate the MidCity neighborhood. A BID is a nonprofit organization funded by property owners that would provide a variety of services, including coordinating marketing events and activities, supporting smart business development, spearheading neighborhood beautification projects, promoting safety and more. Learn more about the efforts of the committee at MidCityBID.org. Join the mailing list for updates by emailing info@midcitybid.org.