Cultural Tourism DC announces its calendar of events for 2010. The year will feature some familiar favorites and introduce a new twist on others.

On March 18, Cultural Tourism DC will hold its second Embassy Chef Challenge. This year’s cooking competition will once again feature celebrity chef judges and embassy chefs. The event will be held at the House of Sweden in Washington, DC. The House of Sweden sits on the Potomac River and houses the Embassy of Sweden, offices and apartments, as well as an event center.

Passport DC has been expanded to the entire month of May. For four weeks, visitors and residents can celebrate and sample international culture and heritage in Washington, DC. Many of DC’s more than 200 embassies and international cultural centers will open their doors to showcase their culture, art, music, dance and food. The month kicks off on May 1 with the Around the World Embassy Tour featuring more than 30 embassies. Other activities and events scheduled for the month include EU Embassies Open House on May 8, Meridian International Children’s Festival and the DC Dragon Boat Races on the Potomac on May 15, and the Asian Heritage Festival on May 22.

An annual favorite, WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC Spring Edition takes place May 22 and 23. This year’s spring event offers more than 100 free tours over the two days. Participants will follow professional guides and community leaders as they share historic anecdotes, point out architectural gems, and discuss current issues. Discover lively Washington neighborhoods from Georgetown and Eastern Market to H Street, NE, Anacostia and points in between.

Cultural Tourism DC introduces its 11th Heritage Trail in June. The Tenleytown Heritage Trail celebrates the neighborhood that started as a village predating the nation’s capital. Stops along the trail include the Tenleytown television studio where Kermit the Frog got his start, and the Civil War-era Fort Reno and the African American community that grew up around it. In the fall, the Georgia Avenue/Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail will be unveiled. This trail is mostly defined by Howard University and also includes the city’s most important entertainment district for African Americans.

In September, Cultural Tourism DC will hold the Fall Edition of Walkingtown DC and Bikingtown DC, September 25 and 26.

“All of these events help to showcase the wide variety of cultural and heritage activities and events available in Washington, DC to visitors and residents. We hope that visitors to Washington will not only visit the National Mall but visit Washington neighborhoods and international cultural centers,” said Linda Harper, Executive Director, Cultural Tourism DC. “We believe DC has something to offer for everyone.”

• Embassy Chef Challenge - March 18
• Passport DC - May
• EU Embassies Open House - May 8
• Meridian International Children’s Festival and the DC Dragon Boat Races on the Potomac - May 15
• Asian Heritage Festival - May 22
• Tenleytown Heritage Trail - June
• Georgia Avenue/Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail - September
• Fall Edition of Walkingtown DC and Bikingtown DC - September 25 and 26

About Cultural Tourism DC

An independent coalition of more than 230 culture, heritage, and community-based organizations, Cultural Tourism DC and its members help you experience DC’s authentic culture and heritage. Our programs make it easy to appreciate and enjoy all that DC has to offer! For more information, visit www.CulturalTourismDC.org or call 202-661-7581.

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