It's absurd as it is fascinating. A sea of white descended on The Yards Park on Thursday as Dîner en Blanc hosted its first event in Washington. A concept originating from Paris over 25 years ago, it requires all guests to wear white, dine white and drink white. In addition to lugging your own table, chairs and food to the picnic. Quite a sight, hundreds of people on Metro carrying tables and chairs. Did I mention you had to pay to do this?
Dîner en Blanc prides itself on hosting events throughout the world at some of the most beautiful and prestigious locations. Under the Eiffel Tower, check. Covent Garden, check. Bondi Beach, check. The Yards Park, wait, what? Part of its charm is its mystery, the 1200 or so guests who registered did so not knowing the venue, which isn't revealed until an hour before the event is to begin, it's a secret known to very few.
A rep for DEB explained their choice for The Yards Park, beyond the bureaucracy and permit applications of our fair city, "the reason we chose this location, aside from the fact that you cannot serve alcohol on federal lands, which constitutes many public spaces in D.C, is to highlight a neighborhood that has been a rising star in D.C. The Yards Park is a new development and has amazing waterfront views that will make tonight beautiful."
Washingtonians couldn't have asked for a better evening, the temperature dropped, the breeze rolled in and everyone played along - tables were impeccable and fashion was at its finest - the drinking and dancing carried on into dark.
A gallery of photos from the event can be found below.
