WASHINGTON — Georgetown visitors can get a little old-fashioned sunscreen again this summer, with the return of the summer parasol program.
More than 60 merchants in Georgetown have parasols visitors can borrow as part of the “Parasol Share” program to keep them cool while they stroll Georgetown’s brick sidewalks.
The parasols can be borrowed from and returned to any participating merchant.
This is the third year for the parasol-sharing program, sponsored by the Georgetown Business Improvement District.
“Georgetown is the largest outdoor shopping district in the region, and we want to ensure our shoppers and visitors are as comfortable as possible, rain or sun,” said Lauren Boston at the Georgetown Business Improvement District.
“The program encourages visitors to pick up one of our royal blue nylon parasols as they shop, and then return it to a participating location before they head home from Georgetown,” Boston said.
For merchants, the parasol-sharing program is another way to draw shoppers into their establishments. It’s a way for merchants to get involved in a program that promotes Georgetown that doesn’t require a lot of heavy lifting or investment on their end, the BID said.
The number of stores, restaurants, salons, galleries and hotels participating this year is about 25 percent more than last year. They are located along M Street, Wisconsin Avenue and Georgetown’s side streets.
In past years, the parasols were dainty versions of their time. They’re a little bigger this year, but they’re still pedestrian-friendly, keeping Georgetown’s narrow sidewalks in mind.
“They’re not golf course umbrellas,” Boston said. “They’re bigger than our first years, but I think they are the perfect size in that they’re not too unwieldy, but they will certainly do the job of shielding both the sun and the rain.”
The sharing economy relies on people playing fair, but the parasols have occasionally gone missing.
“They’ve been a big hit. So much so that we’ve seen them pop up all over the city. If a few parasols grow legs and don’t come back to us, that’s OK. We’re just happy visitors and residents are embracing the program.”
Here’s a list of where you can pick up (and drop off) your Georgetown parasol this summer.
