Barracks Row Fall Festival Schedule

Mother Nature is giving us another gorgeous sunny weekend, so put those house chores on hold and walk over to 8th Street for Barracks Row Fall Festival!  The Festival officially runs from 11am until 5pm, however, the Military Culinary Competition kicks off at 7:15 am in front of the Marine Barracks.

Here’s how the culinary competition works: Teams from all branches of the military and the White House are given a mystery box of ingredients which they will use to create a culinary masterpiece in tents complete with state-of-the-art ovens, right on the street for all to watch. The winning team will take home the Military Top Chef Award, and $1,000 presented at 4:45 pm by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Conway.  Last year people were pulling up chairs to watch the chefs in action — it really is fun and there are often samples handed out.

The cook-off is sponsored by the Military Hospitality Association (MHA), an organization that helps prepare these men and women for jobs in the culinary field after their service in the military.  The Capital Cooking Show’s Lauren DeSantis, who will be one of this year’s judges, has been profiling a few of these chefs on her blog.  Read about MSgt (Senior Master Sgt) Keith Smith and Meet CFS1 (Culinary Specialist First Class) Paul Maloney, and come see them in action on Saturday!

Other judges include Granville Moore’s Teddy Folkman, celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme, Capital Grille DC’s Adam Shapiro, Exec Chef Jason Miller from the Wall Street Capital Grille, and Chef John DeShetler from the Culinary Institute of America.

• 7:15 am First Flight of the Competition
• 9 am-11 am New Orleans Chef Paul Prudhomme will sign cookbooks and answer your questions about creating great cuisine.
• 2:30 pm Final Flight: The Championship Round will match the four best teams in one final display of their culinary skills.

Aside from the culinary competition, there are plenty of other events and activities that are sure to please everyone who stops by.  Performances from the Trapeze School of New York, the Redskin’s Cheerleaders, the Marine Corps Brass Quintet, and more.  Live music, kids activities, a petting zoo, drink and food specials at many of the bars and restaurants along Barracks Row — including an Oktoberfest tent outside of the Ugly Mug — sky divers, and more.

The current schedule for the day:

On the Main Stage 8th & G Streets, SE
11:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony featuring the Marine Corps Brass Quintet
4:00 p.m. Redskinettes: Redskins Cheerleaders performance
4:45 p.m. General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, announces the winner of the Military Chefs Culinary Competition
Also confirmed:
Live Music
The St. Marks Players

Military Chef Culinary Competition in the Military Hospitality Association Tents on 8th Street, SE between G and I Streets, SE
Watch teams from all branches of the military and the White House compete in the Military Hospitality Association’s Third Annual mobile kitchen showdown.
7:15 a.m. First Flight of the Competition
9 a.m.-11 a.m. New Orleans Chef Paul Prudhomme will sign cookbooks and answer your questions about creating great cuisine.
2:30 p.m. Final Flight: The Championship Round will match the four best teams in one final display of their culinary skills.

Antique Car Corral 8th Street, SE between G and I Streets, SE
Owners and volunteers will be there to answer your questions about classic cars.

Tours of Home of the Commandants G Street, SE, between 8th and 9th Streets, SE
This is the last chance to view the interior of the Home of the Commandants before they close their doors for a year-long renovation. Completed in 1806, the historic structure is the oldest continually-occupied residence in the District. Five docent-led tours will be held at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

Tours of the Historic Barracks I Street, SE between 8th and 9th Streets, SE
The historic barracks lining the east side of 8th Street, SE are now home to Marine Corps officers and their families. Take a peek inside with docent-led tours departing at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

At the Shakespeare Theatre
The Trapeze School of New York will present “Silks”

The Ugly Mug’s Oktoberfest Tent at 723 8th Street, SE
Join The Ugly Mug for $4 Linenkugal Oktoberfest and Coors Light & Delicious Brats!

Fusion Grill at 515 8th Street, SE
Fusion Grill will be celebrating fall with Firecracker Shrimp and Sam Adams Oktoberfest on their newly-renovated patio.

Zest Bistro at 735 8th Street, SE
Sample favorites from Zest Bistro, including Lamb Sandwiches ($5), homemade fudge brownies ($2), specials on Blue Point Toasted Lager and Miller Light ($4) and Ginger Limeade.

Along the Row 8th Street, SE between E and I Streets, SE
Skydivers: Look to the air at 12:30 p.m. for the landing of Ranger Group Parachute Team.
Chesty XIII Meet the Marine Corps mascot bulldog and her trainer on their walks throughout the day and learn how she got her name.
Historic Uniforms of the Marine Corps Be on the lookout for great boots, epaulets, plumes and capes! Ten Marines will walk the Row in uniforms dating back to 1775.