News Release

Kenilworth Aquatic Garden’s Lotus and Water Lily Festival returns July 9 with in-person events and live concerts

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Date: June 13, 2022
Contact: Sean McGinty, 202-941-9108

WASHINGTON—Join the National Park Service for the 2022 Lotus and Water Lily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Experience the annual blooming of lotus and water lily flowers and enjoy music and dance performances, arts and crafts, ranger-led tours and more! The festival will begin July 9 and continue every weekend for the month of July.  

 

“We’re excited to be able to bring back the annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival to highlight this spectacular bloom and celebrate this special time at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens with park neighbors and visitors from all over,” Tara Morrison, superintendent of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, said. “In 2022 we are celebrating the return to an in-person festival by hosting four separate weekends with events, focused around the year’s theme of Harmony, Health, and Healing.” 

 

To celebrate the return of an in-person festival and create a more manageable experience for both the community and visitors, the 2022 Lotus and Water Lily Festival will be split into four weekends each with a specific focus and events. 

 

  • The weekend of July 9, we are celebrating Art. Events will include art classes, photography classes, drop-in art classes, yoga classes and ranger-led tours. 

  • The weekend of July 16, we are teaching Healthy Parks, Healthy People, events include a community 5k walk along the Anacostia River Trail, yoga classes, dance classes and ranger-led tours. 

  • The weekend of July 23, we are exploring Nature & Environment, events include live animal shows, ranger talks and a dance performance. 

  • The weekend of July 30, we are focusing on Community, events include a Spanish language tour,  a fashion show, cultural dance presentations and yoga classes. 

 

In addition to a larger festival, the park will extend hours until 8 p.m. each Saturday. On Wednesdays, the park will feature kid’s programs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. such as art activities, a drumming class and other hands-on nature activities. 

 

“Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and all of our national parks, have become healing spaces for people during the pandemic, so we are once again looking forward to co-hosting this festival with the National Park Service,” said Tina O’Connell, executive director of Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. “We’re particularly pleased to be offering activities enjoyed by our Ward 7 park neighbors and are increasing our year-round activities at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.” 

 

Visit go.nps.gov/lotus for the schedule and more information on this year’s celebrations. 

 

Can’t make it to the festival? Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is open year-round and offers opportunities for all ages and interests including birding, wildlife viewing, photography, picnics, volunteering and school group trips.



Last updated: June 13, 2022

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