The 2nd annual Kennedy Street Festival kicked off at 11am on Saturday, and between all the artists, booths, vendors, the guy dancing to the Michael Jackson music, and tasty food trucks, it was a great event. I tried to talk to a few different vendors and get an idea of what was being sold, drawn, crafted or showcased.

I started the day by meeting James Terrell who was working on the mural at Kennedy Street and Georgia Avenue. Once completed, this artwork will really look amazing and act as a very inviting entry into the Kennedy Street business corridor.

Artist Hebron Chism was set up on Kennedy Street selling paintings from his own collection and others. Mr Chism is primarily a sculptor and has a studio in Mt Ranier.

Beyond the sidewalk activities in front of various businesses like Culture Coffee, the Festival had set up areas in two parking lots for vendors and food trucks to set up. Councilmember Brandon Todd had a table set up to meet residents. Jackson Carnes, the director of constituent services for CM Todd was taking resident requests as well.

MPD also set up a table to meet residents. 4D Commander Wilfredo Manlapaz was onhand, as was Officer Beam and Outreach Coordinator Derek Staten. DC Water had a giant water drop walking around the festival (complete with pink bowtie and red lipstick and scaring the dickens out of my daughter).

The DC Department of the Environment had a table out promoting the "Sustainable DC" initiative, with the goal of "making DC the healthiest, greenest, most livable city in the country." Now in its second year, the initiative is focused on implementing environmentally sustainable programs across the city, and has 92% of its actions underway or completed (in other words, they're trying to turn words into action). Visit their website to learn more about the great initiative.

Of course, one of the highlights of the day was the fellow dancing on the truck and on the street, lip-syncing to Michael Jackson. This guy had a ton of energy and got everyone around him pretty pumped up, as kids and adults were dancing along with him.