D.C. battles through a snow day with snowball fight at Dupont Circle

You could choose to attack, or defend, the fountain in dupont Circle at Thursday's snowball fight. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
You could choose to attack, or defend, the fountain in Dupont Circle at Thursday’s snowball fight. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Some people started an arms race. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Some people started an arms race. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The fountain was the goal at Thursday's snowball fight. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The fountain was the goal at Thursday's snowball fight. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Non-traditional garb was in evidence. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Non-traditional garb was in evidence. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The action got heated, so to speak. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The action got heated, so to speak. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
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You could choose to attack, or defend, the fountain in dupont Circle at Thursday's snowball fight. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Some people started an arms race. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The fountain was the goal at Thursday's snowball fight. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Non-traditional garb was in evidence. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The action got heated, so to speak. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)

WASHINGTON  — It was every man, woman and child for him or herself at Dupont Circle as snowballs took flight. It’s a tradition that when Mother Nature delivers snow, the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association sets a time and place for an all-out snow war.

“You pick up some snow, put it in your hand, in a tiny ball and throw it!” said five-year-old Max Blazquez, of D.C.

Max’s father, Juan Blazquez, says that, to have a good time, you have to leave your worries at home.

Hundreds packed the park, forming two groups — one around the fountain, others gathered about 50 feet away. People put their winter frustration into a tightly packed snow ball,  picked an enemy and took their pitch.

Fighters near the fountain ran out of ammunition pretty soon after the fight began. “There’s no snow up here! We used it all; we’re sitting ducks,” said Jess Clarke, of D.C.

Liz Doyle, of D.C., said the right kind of snow is key. “This snow doesn’t make good snowballs,”

Snow composition aside, most seem to have a great time sending the snowballs into the air, and many times into the face of a complete stranger.

Mike Murillo

Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. Before joining WTOP in 2013, he worked in radio in Orlando, New York City and Philadelphia.

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