Last Thursday (Dec 20) the Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association hosted the Penn Quarter Holiday Gala at the National Building Museum. This was the 14th Holiday Gala. Open to the public (with an RSVP), the Gala provided a forum for residents, business owners and workers to mingle, meet and enjoy a bite to eat while listening to holiday jazz from the live band. While slightly off of the 42 bus line at 4th and F Streets NW, the National Building Museum is accessible from the 42 if you don't mind walking 5 blocks. Or take the Metro to Judiciary Square.
Guests lined up outside the doors more than half an hour before the start. The Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association teamed with Calvary Baptist Church for a holiday toy drive at the Gala. It looked to be a smashing success judging from the pile of new toys behind the church's table. The Museum shop stayed open during the Gala and offered a discount to anyone buying a toy for the drive. I gave movie tickets. That's appropriate for teens, right? I thought it was a good gift...
The main attraction, however was the food. According to the PQNA, over 75 restaurants provided food for the buffet and there was a virtual race to the food tables as the patrons filed into the building. There were so many, I decided to wait until after the first wave and sneak into line before everyone decided they needed seconds. My favorite: sushi, provided by several of the area restaurants, and plain old chips and salsa from Rosa Mexicano. Here are some photos of the event. Mark your calendars for next year; and come early, the food goes fast!
