July 8, 2020, Marks the 60th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking of the RFK Memorial Stadium
Originally named the D.C. Stadium, groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 8, 1960, as the first multi-purpose facility built to host both a professional baseball and football team. In 1969, the facility was renamed RFK Stadium in honor of Robert F. Kennedy. The stadium opened to the public, on October 1, 1961, for a game between Washington’s football team and the New York Giants. In years since, the RFK Stadium has served as home turf for professional, collegiate, and high school games during its storied history.
As the first major stadium designed specifically as a multi-sport facility for both football and baseball, it also housed Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, who called RFK Stadium home for 21 years. Music fans have also been thrilled by performances under the stars at RFK by iconic artists such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, U2, the Eagles, and the Grateful Dead. On its 60th groundbreaking anniversary, we remember RFK Memorial Stadium’s rich legacy! We invite you to share your best memory or photo at RFK for the digital scrapbook we are currently creating. Please email your images/narrative to RFKoutreach@eventsdc.com.
George Preston Marshall Statue Removed from RFK Stadium
“Small overdue step on the road to lasting equality and justice”
On June 19, 2020, Events DC removed the George Preston Marshall statue, which was located on the grounds outside of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. We heard from many of our community stakeholders surrounding the RFK Campus and across the city calling for the removal of the statue of the former owner of the Washington Redskins.
Marshall’s views were anti-equality and against racial inclusion, and in fact, he worked against integration in the National Football League. Events DC’s Board Chairman, Max Brown, and Greg O’Dell, president, and chief executive officer, released a joint statement on the removal of the figure saying, “This symbol of a person who didn’t believe all men and women were created equal and who actually worked against integration is counter to all that we as people, a city, and nation represent…We believe that injustice and inequality of all forms are reprehensible and we are firmly committed to confronting unequal treatment and working together toward healing our city and country.”
We thank you, our neighbors, for being vocal about taking swift action to remove such a disturbing symbol of unequal treatment. Allowing the statue to remain is counter to Events DC’s and the city’s values of inclusion, equality, and justice.
Events DC Kicks Off Cycle 1 of FY2020 Community Grant Program
Virtual Program Sessions Huge Hit!
On Tuesday, June 23, the Events DC’s Community Engagement team hosted the first-ever virtual community grant program information session via Zoom webinar. Given the current public health precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team was pleased to offer the program information virtually.
The webinar was a huge success as nearly 30 organizations from across the District tuned in to learn more about the program and application process. Attendees expressed their excitement to learn of the increased program funding from $200,000 annually to $500,000. ($250K over two grant cycles.) Additionally, participants shared their enthusiasm to learn that the program’s scope had expanded to include funding for operational relief, new or existing programs, and/or programs that propose to engage youth in the areas of sports, cultural or performing arts through virtual programming.
Applications for the Cycle 1, FY21 program are due on August 1st. To rsvp for the upcoming, July 21 session, please visit https://bit.ly/CommunityGrantsCycle1. For more information, email communitygrants@eventsdc.com.
Are You With the DC2026 World Cup Bid? Join the Movement!
On Tuesday, June 30 Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and the DC2026 Advisory Board virtually unveiled the DC2026 FIFA World Cup Bid.
The virtual launch announcement showcased the vision for the city’s pursuit to bring the FIFA World Cup to Washington, DC.
Now we need your help to continue to raise awareness:
- Join the movement by following us @DC2026 on social.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dc2026/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dc2026
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dc2026/
- Pledge your support by signing up for email updates at www.dc2026.org.
Help us spread the word by posting one of the images attached to your social channels.
Local Restaurants Showing their #DCGratitude
Park Up DC Coming Soon to RFK Campus
Broccoli City, the creators behind one of America’s largest independent music festivals, announced the launch of Park Up DC, a pop-up drive-in movie summer series. The series will take place on the RFK Stadium Campus beginning on Friday, July 17, 2020 at 7:30 p.m., and will run through Sunday, October 31, 2020. Throughout the drive-in movie series, Park Up DC will feature movies for all ages. Tickets can now be purchased exclusively at www.ParkUpDC.com.
The drive-in movie series will kick off on July 15, 2020 with a free community event for COVID-19 healthcare workers. Park Up DC will open to the public on Friday July 17, 2020 with film favorites such as Jurassic Park, FRIDAY, Paddington and more. Throughout the summer, movies will be shown on a massive 45ft. wide HD LED digital screen with high-quality sound delivered through each vehicle’s FM radio. Beyond movie screenings, Park Up DC will host community partner events like church services and pop-up concert experiences.
The Fields Playground Re-opening - Way To #PlayItSafe
The playground, fitness area, and tables were reopened for use at The Fields at RFK!
Here’s what you need to know to #PlayItSafe at the Playground:
- Open from 8 am to 8 pm daily
- Open to youth ages 12 and under, with adult supervision
- Limited to 30 participants at a time
- Please limit play to 60 minutes, when others are waiting
- No more than 10 people in a group – no parties are permitted until further notice
- Stay 6 feet apart from others
- Patrons assume their own risk when using the playground and fitness equipment
- For your safety, please wash and/or sanitize your hands, and your children’s hands, upon entry and exit of the playground area.
- Sanitizing stations have been provided for your use
Events DC is committed to patron, staff and community safety. Visit RFKfields.com for up-to-date information on the reopening of The Fields. You can also check out Events DC’s social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
If you have questions about visiting The Fields or about the reopening, please contact rfkoutreach@eventsdc.com. Be sure to #PlayItSafe!
Fall Season at The Fields
We’re excited to announce that we have opened our fall permit application window! We can’t wait to start planning for our fall season!
Here’s what you need to know about the fall permit process:
Fall permit application window – The window will be open, until midnight, on Friday, July 10, 2020, to accept requests for the fall season. The fall season will run from Sept. 6 – Nov. 28, 2020. Please submit your permit application at RFKfields.com.
Fall permit process modification – Please review the modifications to the permit process for the fall season. Also, please review the details of the Amateur Sports Policy prior to applying. Please reference the Q&A guide HERE, for more information.
COVID-19 permit restrictions – All DC guidelines apply. At this time, we are only awarding provisional fall permits for non-contact and low contact practices and training. No games or scrimmages are permitted at this time. Permits are limited to 50 participants on a field, divided into groups of 10. Six-foot social distancing guidelines must be observed.
Hold on all summer requests – Only Summer Camp permit requests for summer season dates/times are being accepted at this time. We will continue to announce additional updates.
We look forward to Fall at The Fields!
