Samantha Michaels/MNS
A snowball fight on Saturday in Dupont Circle drew more than 2,000 participants. People hurled snowballs near the fountain as amateur and professional photographers documented the event. The organizers have scheduled a rematch for 2 on Wednesday afternoon, according to a Facebook post.
In Washington, 'Snowpocalypse' means a new kind of ammo
by Samantha Michaels
Feb 09, 2010
Samantha Michaels/MNS
Ready, aim, fire. A participant prepares to throw a snowball.
Samantha Michaels/MNS
As the intensity of the fight escalated, some participants ducked for cover while others carried on the battle.
WASHINGTON — In a city famous for its political spars, a winter blizzard sparked a different type of battle across the nation’s capital last weekend, prompting locals to trade in partisan jabs for new kind of ammo: snowballs.
At least 2,000 people came out to participate in the "Official Dupont Circle Snowball Fight" Saturday after the Washington metro area was blanketed with more than two feet of snow. Advertised on Facebook, the event was one of several organized gatherings throughout the city, including a snowball fight on the National Mall, which drew about 100 participants.
The snow battle started at about 2 p.m. on Saturday. Hundreds of onlookers watched and photographed the scene from the perimeter as enthusiastic snow warriors hurled their snowballs at each other. The event was organized by Ami Greener and Michael Lipin, two friends who live near Dupont Circle.
The National Weather Service predicts that up to 16 inches of additional snow will hit the region between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening, so Greener and Lipin have decided to organize a rematch. According to Facebook, a second snowball fight will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Dupont Circle.
