By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Overcast skies and unseasonably cool temperatures were not enough to keep several hundred people from the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) from attending the 15th Annual D.C. State Fair on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Held this year at Franklin Park in Northwest, Washington, D.C., the event featured musical performances from local entertainers and contests – from pie eating to pie making– along with activities such as hand dance demonstrations from the National Hand Dance Association.
The free event, inspired by decades-old state fair traditions, showcased more than 15 food vendors and more than 75 artists, makers, local small businesses, nonprofit organizations and sponsors. But the real goal of the event, according to leading sponsors, was to celebrate the people and things that make the District of Columbia unique.
Brian Americus, 40, a self-described military brat who now lives in Southeast, Washington, D.C. was on site to sell his V-neck shirts as a fair vendor.
“I came up with these shirts because I wanted to give men something that was both stylish and casual – a shirt they could wear to work and then to happy hour or a dinner date,” he said. “I’ve been doing well with my website (BrianAmericus.com) and with pop-ups but the best way to convince men, and now women, to buy my shirts is for them to see them in person and feel the product. Once that happens, at least 85 percent of folks are sold.”
Native Washingtonian Dancer Sze, 28, first attended the state fair in 2021 when she took second place in a contest for creating the best pickle. This year, she set her sights on the Best Jam contest – and she took the blue ribbon for first place.
“During the pandemic, because we were forced to stay indoors, I started spending more time in the kitchen and began to create some new items in my repertoire– including pickling and making jams,” Sze said. “I can’t express how excited and happy I am to have won first place for my blueberry balsamic jam. One day I want to have my own business and this has given me the encouragement I needed. What’s even better is having my two best friends here to help me enjoy my victory.”
Sze’s friends, Helen Abraha, 28, and Sophie Miyoshi, 26, both from Northeast, Washington, D.C., said this year was their first time attending the state fair, but certainly not their last.
“I grew up in Ohio, so I am used to attending state fairs,” Abraha said. “And after seeing Dancer win a ribbon, I will be back next year with some of my fabulous cakes.”
Miyoshi hopes to return with some of her own recipes in the future.
“I’m coming back next year to support the fair and I’m going to enter my vegan macaroni and cheese in one of the contests. It’s the bomb!” she said.
While she enjoyed the event, Miyoshi spoke to some of the issues lurking in the background of the fun filled weekend event.
“D.C. isn’t a state but it should be,” she said.
In support of D.C. statehood and voters rights, Anne Stauffer from Northwest, representing the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia, collaborated with members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Their goal was to encourage voter engagement and to advocate for D.C. statehood.
“D.C. statehood is crucial because we deserve the same rights as other Americans – one person, one vote,” Stauffer said.
Lucille Brewer, from Northwest, Washington, D.C. was joined in her efforts to educate the public on voter registration and calls for D.C. statehood by her sorors, Novella Bridges and Nyisha Williams, both from the Southeast area of the District. It was their first time volunteering at the state fair.
“We are here to promote and encourage social action,” said Brewer. “That’s what we do.”