Hundreds of thousands of tourists are expected to flood the nation’s capital this Memorial Day weekend, as pleasant weather and the city’s lineup of patriotic festivities should make for a festive holiday.
Nancy and Doug Ingle, visiting from Valencia, Calif., said they were looking forward to a weekend of thoughtful celebration.
“We’ve had millions of servicemen and -women fight for our freedom, and that’s important for us to remember,” said Nancy Ingle, 56, while snapping photos outside of the White House on Thursday afternoon.
Rebecca Pawlowski, a spokesman for D.C.’s tourism agency, said it is difficult to predict how many visitors will join the Ingles in Washington this weekend, but a fine weather forecast is sure to juice tourism numbers.
“Unlike some of the last few years, it’s supposed to be beautiful Sunday and Monday, so we’re expecting a lot of people,” Pawlowski said, highlighting Arlington National Cemetery and the war memorials along the National Mall as popular holiday draws.
The Rolling Thunder motorcycle demonstration alone is expected to attract almost 1 million participants for its annual ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Sunday. The group was founded in 1987 to promote veterans’ rights and the plight of American prisoners of war.
Rolling Thunder spokeswoman Nancy Regg said about 900,000 total participants, including 400,000 riders, attended last year’s demonstration. She expects a similar turnout this Sunday.
Throttles aren’t the only things opening up this weekend.
“This is the first year that we’re opening not only the outdoor pools, but all of the children’s pools and all splash parks on the same day,” said D.C. Parks and Recreation spokesman John Stokes.
Stokes said thousands are likely to take the plunge when pools open around the area on Saturday.
Despite the local celebrations and the draw of the pool, many area residents are likely to head out of town.
Metro alert
Metrorail will not run between the East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations over the weekend.
The service will be closed from 7 a.m. Saturday to closing on Monday to allow for work on the Dulles Rail extension.
Shuttles will run between the stations, but Metro advises riders to add 30 minutes to their trips.
John Townsend, a spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said about 885,000 people will leave the Washington region by car during Memorial Day weekend. He warned traffic would peak between 1 and 9 p.m. Friday.
Townsend estimated 545,000 drivers will hit the roads in Maryland alone, and said many of them will doubtless be headed to Ocean City, a popular Memorial Day destination for Washingtonians.
Donna Abbott, a spokeswoman for Ocean City’s Tourism Department, said hotels are quickly filling and the nice weather is sure to draw thousands of last-minute vacationers.
“It’s shaping up to be a very good weekend,” Abbott said.
