Know Before You Go
Reason Rally 2016 should be a fun and enjoyable experience for all attendees. As with any large event, you’ll want to prepare yourself appropriately. Here are some things you’ll need to know before you go to make sure you’re ready for a full day of secular celebration!
What Not to Bring
The following items are prohibited at the Lincoln Memorial and Reason Rally 2016. Please leave them at home.
- Glass containers
- Pop-up tents
- Alcoholic beverages
- Grills/cookfires
- Firearms or other weapons
- Drones, remote-control helicopters, and any other flying gadget
Wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, segways, and golf carts are not permitted on any grassy areas (with the exception of mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs). Kiddie wagons are permitted, but keep in mind it may be challenging to move around in the large crowds we anticipate.
Lost Child Info
Anyone who finds a lost child should bring him/her to the Family Tent. Reason Rally staff will coordinate to locate the parents or guardians of any such child.
Any parent who has lost a child should come to the Family Tent. The Family Tent is located at the east end of the long field south of the Reflecting Pool. Any Reason Rally staff, volunteer, or security personnel will be able to direct you to the Family Tent and assist with lost children.
What to Wear
June in Washington DC can be warm. Check the weather forecast and plan your clothing accordingly. Pack a light poncho or umbrella if it looks like rain; don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if the forecast is sunny.
Plan to wear comfortable shoes for standing and walking. You’re welcome to bring a bag or backpack.
What to Bring
We have plenty of open, grassy space near the Lincoln Memorial – perfect for a picnic blanket or lawn chairs. However, we ask attendees to refrain from bringing pop-up tents or any folding furniture larger than a lawn chair.
While you’re welcome to bring your own lunch and beverages (see below), please note that fires/grills are prohibited at the Reason Rally, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Be sure to bring bottled water or other non-alcoholic beverages, especially if the weather predicts warm temperatures. The Rally runs 10 am to 7 pm, so bring plenty to drink!
You can bring a bag or backpack to carry your belongings, but be prepared to carry it with you through the day – there are no lockers or other places to store items. Kiddie wagons are permitted, but keep in mind it may be challenging to move around in the large crowds we anticipate.
Signs are welcome at Reason Rally 2016! We encourage materials proclaiming our presence as a secular voting block, encouraging science and reason, celebrating secular identity, and other positive messages. Be creative and show us how you’re speaking up for reason!
Help us show how generous atheists can be! Bring a nonperishable food item to donate as part of our service project! Reason Rally 2016 collecting donations for DC Central Kitchen that can be dropped off at the Foundation Beyond Belief table in the Exhibitor Tent. Bring canned diced tomatoes, any kind of dry beans, flour, sugar, or grocery store gift cards. Check out the wish list for more ideas.
What to Eat
There are three National Parks Service concession stands in the area of Reason Rally 2016. There are also a number of food trucks and carts along 21st Avenue north of Constitution Ave. Be advised that lines may be quite long. Not all vendors accept credit cards, so be sure to bring cash.
The easiest way to ensure you have a convenient meal when you want it will be to bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. Please remember that glass containers, alcoholic beverages, and cooking fires/grills are prohibited on National Park Service property.
Accessibility
The Reason Rally Coalition endeavors to provide an enjoyable experience for all attendees. Learn more about our amenities for attendees with disabilities at reasonrally.org/ADA.
Attendees with disabilities may apply for a blue wristband. Please be courteous to attendees with this wristband and allow them extra time, space, and accommodations as you are able.
Family Activities
Visit the Camp Quest Family Tent at the Reason Rally for science activities, games, art projects, and more! Build a popsicle stick bridge, make something cool out of duct tape, or play a round of Bananagrams. Meet Camp Quest counselors and families, learn a bit about Camp Quest, and pick up our fun stickers and temporary tattoos. We’ll also have space where you and the kids can get a little rest with books and quiet puzzles in case the Rally is a bit overstimulating. If you are looking for somewhere to breastfeed, or need a private spot to change a diaper, the Camp Quest family tent has you covered.
The Camp Quest Family Tent is also where you can sign up for a chance to win a free week at any U.S. Camp Quest in 2017 in our free raffle! Don’t miss out. Even if you don’t have kids with you at the Rally, stop by and check out what’s going on and get your raffle ticket in. Note: The Camp Quest Family Tent is not offering drop-off childcare, so please plan to stay at the tent with your children.
How to Get Around
The Lincoln Memorial is located at the western end of the National Mall. It is two miles walking distance from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.
The best mode of transportation to get to the Rally is by Metro (subway). The nearest metro stations are Foggy Bottom (23rd St. & I St. NW) and Smithsonian (12th St. & Independence Ave. SW). Avoid lines and purchase your ticket in advance.
Shuttle service will be provided from each Reason Rally hotel on Saturday. Buses run to the Lincoln Memorial from 8 am to 11 am and return from 7 pm to 9 pm. The shuttle will drop off at the Circle right by the Lincoln Memorial
DC Circulator
Buses run every 10 minutes on all DC Circulator routes.
Visit the DC Circulator website for further information.
National Mall Route
Weekdays 7am – 8pm; Weekends 9am – 7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9am-8pm
Schedule
Originating at Union Station in the direction of Lincoln Memorial
Union Station
E St. NE / Columbus Circle
Lincoln Memorial / Korean War Veterans Memorial
Lincoln Memorial Circle SW
Originating at Lincoln Memorial in the direction of Union Station
Lincoln Memorial / Korean War Veterans Memorial
Lincoln Memorial Circle SW
Union Station
E St. NE / Columbus Circle
To find out when the next bus will arrive, please use the Next Bus feature on the DC Circulator website.
Fares
Regular – $1.00
Senior/Disabled – 50¢
DC Students (with DC One Card) – free (only during weekdays, 5:30 am – 9:00 am and 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
Children Under 5 – free (with paying adult rider)
Cash – Circulator accepts coins and dollar bills in exact change only. The driver does not carry cash to make change. Simply place your fare in the farebox located near the driver.
Passes – Ride all you want by purchasing unlimited-trip passes before you board. One-Day ($3), 3-Day ($7), Weekly ($11) and Monthly ($40) passes are available for purchase through CommuterDirect.com (see below).
Discounts are available to bulk orders of over 100. You may purchase passes online at CommuterDirect.com or in-store at the Commuter Store in Arlington, VA. For locations, visit commuterpage.com/stores.htm