This is a long post, sorry:

MORNING (8am): CAPITOL HILL PARADE
This is our fifth year of participating in what has become a DCMM tradition.
Staging in West Potomac Park (directions TBA) at 8:00-8:30 am for decoration and chumminess. PLEASE SIGN UP. (Open today) No limit on cars at this parade.

At 8:45 am SHARP the MINIs will head for the marshaling point on the Hill. The Parade starts at 10:00 and should be over by 11:00.

NOON: The WORLD FAMOUS INDEPENDENCE DAY TWISTY RUN
A repeat of last year's enjoyable run from Bowie to Annapolis. Staging at Saturn of Bowie (address and other details TBA) at 12:00 noon. Enjoy a twisty as we make our way to the Parole/Annapolis area. Estimated trip time about half an hour -- it's just a short one, but we have a slightly longer alternative for those who are interested!

AFTERNOON: MINI BUBBLE BATH and COOKOUT at WS Motorcars. Bring chairs!!!!, and get ready for a cookout (sign up for what you are going to bring on the sign up sheet)

AFTERNOON (3:30pm): ANNAPOLIS PARADE
Staging at WS Motorcars at 3:30 for car decoration and chumminess.
At 4:30 sharp the MINIs will head for the marshaling point on Amos Garret Blvd. LIMIT 20 CARS. PLEASE SIGN UP. (Opens Friday, 6/8)

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen -- it'll be a bit of a wait.

PARADE STEPS OFF AT 5:45 pm.
Now DCMMers -- this parade awards PRIZES for best decoration, most imaginative, etc. Take note! They like our cars, and they like to see them with great decorations on them!

EVENING: COOKOUT & FIREWORKS at Marina & James'
Enjoy cookout and drinks with fellow MINIacs at Marina and James' place in Annapolis. Afterwards, those who are willing to sign a liability waiver (j/k) can join them on the roof to watch the fireworks, or feel free to wander down to the City Dock. Our roof is definitely less crowded! Well, maybe. :-)

So here is the deal, these parades are MINI/Mini only, and are limited to DCMM members only (Driving.) You are more than welcome to pack your MINI with as many people as you wish, but no non-members driving.

On the Calendar, the parades are broken into two events, PLEASE sign up. The DC parade has no limit of cars, but the Annapolis parade does (20) I will open up the DC parade for RSVP's today and will open up the Annapolis parade for RSVP's on FRIDAY. Once this one hits 20 people (please don't sign up more than one car per name) I will close it down and you won't see the names anymore and can't RSVP.

I will post a sign up sheet for the cookout at WS Motorcars. They have generously welcomed us back to their place to have this cookout and wash up party, so bring some washing material! And some food!!!
PLEASE note, bring CHAIRS and SUNSCREEN, most likely it will be hot! This is a family friendly event, so children of all ages are welcome.

Marina and James are welcoming people back to their place (about 1/2 block from Naval Academy) after the parade for some more cookout/ fireworks viewing. They are opening their house, so lets be nice and provide some more cookout! Just a day of cookout heaven! BYOB.
This should be a choc full day of MINI peeps fun! Can't wait to see you there!

 

Please sign up for the cookout. WS Motorcars has welcomed us back to their place for an afternoon cookout (they have a GRILL!!) and a bubbly party to make our babies shine for the Annapolis parade.
Bring Chairs, Carwash supplies (oh and FOOD!!) Lets keep it simple (since we will be carrying it with us afterwards to Marina's for more cookout!)


Drinks/Ice:

Chips/slaw/salad:

Hamburgers/buns:

Hotdogs/buns:
Chicken hotdogs n buns- Christine (ccc777)
Regular hotdogs n buns- Daffyone01

Chicken: Peter (WINO)

Condiments/plates,etc:
Plates, Napkins, Cups, Plastic ware- Penelope Cooper

Dessert: Watermelon- Katie (Kgdblu)

Remember that we are feeding each other, so be nice!

 

I will be there and will gladly bring Chicken breasts for grilling.

 

I'll bring watermelon for dessert...mmmmmm...I'll get a couple small, sweet ones.

As to the parade, I've done this several times ....well, not last year(serious thunderstorm)....it's a hoot. If, before the parade, there's still room I'll sign up...but I'd like to see the new members sign up too..

 

This sounds like TONS of fun! Count me in!

What sort of decorations have people used in the past for their MINIs? I'm sure Penny would like to play dress-up, but I don't want her overdressed for the occasion. Memories? Ideas? Photos? Suggestions? I'm a noob at parades.

As for the cookouts... chalk me up for paper plates and napkins please.

 

anything red, white and blue will work...use your imagination. There are pics of past parades but I'm not sure where (I don't have any, personally).

 

This sounds like so much fun! I'll be bringing chicken hot dogs and buns. How much should I bring?

Christine

 

Things sound like fun, I'm gonna try to make it to the whole days events...will have to check to make sure the family still isn't talking with the family.

 

We'll leave SF at home and bring the new baby to show off!

 

Sounds like a blast! I'd like to join the afternoon parade but have no decorations/ideas yet...1st-timer! I think I'll just bring hot dogs!!

 

I never know what to do either. I just go to Michaels, JoAnns, and ACMoore and see what fun stuff they got. People have done "hula" red white and blue things, banners, flags, streamers, bows, wreaths....etc..

Insipration is just a thought away!

 

I will be attending both parades and the BBQ at WS. What shall I bring to the BBQ? And if by some dumb luck, I am off on the night of the 4th, I'll probably stop by Marina's after the 2nd parade.

 

Go to OrientalTrading.com for decoration ideas...they sell tons of holiday stuff. I got a red white and blue Mylar fringe banner and gave my car a patriotic hula skirt last year...
Go to the web site and let your imagination take over...keeping it G rated of course.

 

We are trying to finalize the 4th of July Program - very similar to the prior years - and post it before our trip to MINI UNITED in the meantime one of the merchants in Capitol Hill (www.groovydc.com) is willing to sponsor our gathering after the DC Parade and before the MINI RUN with drinks and light food.

WSMotors (which soon will change its name) has promised a great BBQ in the afternoon with plenty of water to wash our MINIs..

I hope that as in the past some decorations will be available after the Capitol Hill Parade, the last couple years we collected several freebies donated by the local organizers..

 

Could you bring sodas and ice? Maybe a variety and ice? That would be very helpful! I will have a cooler so we can dump it all in there and get cold.
I can also pick some up.

 

I am so glad I made it to the first year we did the Capitol Hill parade, since every year since then (including this year) I have to work on July 4!

 

Yep, no problem. Ice + Soda is covered. Want me to bring cups too?

 

Capitol Hill Location and Mtg time
8:30- 8:45 off Ohio drive in Potomac Park.

Coming from VA you'll take I-395 North across the 14th Street Bridge. Take the US Park Police exit. At the end of the road, make a right. Make another right at the river (it's the only way you can go). The lot will be on your right past the Park Police Headquarters Building between the two railroad bridges.

Coming from DC, Enter Potomac Park behind the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and go past the Jefferson Memorial (it should be on your right with I-395 on your left) Make the first left past the Jefferson Memorial onto Ohio Drive. The lot will be on your left between the two railroad bridges. We will leave the Park for the parade formation at 9:15 am sharp and stage

If you are running late and cannot meet us at the above location go directly to Capitol Hill - Eastern Market- and call me. 202 251.3907

The Capitol Hill Parade will start @ 10:00 -

Soon after the parade we will meet @ Groovy DC -one of the stores on 8th Street SE - where the parade goes thru. We are working w/ the MPD to see if we can park our MINIs on the sidewalk in front of the store - next to the Fire Station - while having an iced drink and light lunch in the back patio .

At 11 :45 we will leave to meet whomever wants to go for a Twisty (a modified MINIs by the Bay run). We will meet in front of the Saturn of Bowie
16600 Gov. Bridge Road and leave for our run @ 12:45.

The 4th of July Run will end at WS Motors on Chinquapin Round Road - Annapolis. WS Motors is preparing a BBQ and will have a spot for washing down the MINIs before the 2nd Parade.

At 4:30 pm we will leave WS Motors to prepare for the Annapolis Parade.

The Annapolis Parade starts @ 6:00 pm.

After the Parade if you are coming to our place try to find parking around the City Dock (where the Parade ends) and walk to our place 34 Maryland Ave.
Here, we will share food and drinks (BYO) and watch the Fireworks either from the roof of our house ( up to 10-12 people) or walk down to the City Dock or USNA - both locations within a block or two from our place.

It's a long day so be prepared with plenty of water - bring a chair. If you come to our place, please do not bring dogs as my GSD is not fond of other K-9s

 

Thanks for all the info, Marina.

OK...now that the info is posted, let's sign up, folks!

I ordered my decorations today...kinda pricey, but I should be able to use them year after year.....

 

ok kids..this isn't too far off and I'd like to see lots of MINIs for both parades!
Put on your imagination caps to come up with decorating ideas and let's participate!

Here are some ideas:

red, white and blue crepe paper..make streamers, or swags.
" " " glass markers (available at AutoZone and similar places)
anything in r,w and b Mylar

It doesn't have to look professional...heck, last year I attached my Mylar "hula skirt" with blue painters' masking tape...wasn't tidy at all, but it looked fine.

These parades are so much fun you don't want to miss out!

 

Speaking of OrientalTrading.... Did you happen to send me a catalog?

 

um..er...no. was I s'posed to? go to their website...

 

come on guys Sign up...

I would like to get a final head count by Sunday night so when I get back from NH I can finalize the plan for the day.

 

ah, ok...someone sent us a special orientaltrading catalog...and I was just trying to figure out who sent it.

We had a good laugh over it.

 

I just posted my unRSVP in the cherry picking thread, and regrettably must post a pair here as well. I have to be in the hospital July 3rd for an outpatient medical thing. I'll be useless the 3rd, but don't know how I'll feel on the 4th. I can't commit to either parade.

I REALLY wish I could come out and see everyone. All the festivities, the cookouts, the car washes... it sounds like a fun-filled day. I wish I could be there, too.

I already purchased the cups, napkins, plates, and plasticware. If someone wants to meet me in NoVA or WV somewhere/sometime before the 3rd, I'll be more than happy to send them along for the party.