Photo: Kristopher Marx

Generally celebrated for class trips and patriotic tourism, the National Mall doesn't generate much excitement in the DC area on a regular basis.  So when word got around that DC would host the flagship of the 3rd annual Green Apple Festival, the city's denizens prepared to loosen up their neck-ties and unearth their Birkenstocks for a long day of free Earth saving performances.  With line up changes occurring up until just days before, it was tough to wrap one’s head around specifics beyond live music by The Roots, O.A.R., Umphrey's McGee, Warren Haynes and a smattering of notable guest appearances.           

The organizers of the event went to great length to ensure that the event was as Green as possible – going so far as employing bike valets, hundreds of groovy garbage receptacles and plenty of clean earth information for the tens of thousands estimated to show up.  The only attendee they couldn't account for was Mother Nature herself.

Close to two inches of rain poured onto the site over the first three hours of DC's Green Apple Fest – a circumstance that produced a dizzying number of recyclable plastic poncho's.  The crowd capacity was no where near anticipated, but a few thousand die-hards endured to see the kick off staring American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis who's beatbox/singing gave way to an acoustic set by O.A.R. who opened with "Heard the World" and included Bob Dylan's "Times They Are A-Changing".

When the sky re-opened, another delay ensued, sending half of the crowd home or into hiding under the auspices of the surrounding Smithsonian museums.  Umphrey's McGee put their stamp on the day before being thundered out with a quick set of In the Kitchen> Glory> In the Kitchen, Nemo, and Plunger. 

After a few words, more rain, and an equipment exchange, Warren Haynes began what was to be the final performance of the day.  Solemn and powerful as ever, Haynes soothing voice held the skies just long enough to end the afternoon with a beautiful, solo rendition of "One" by U2.