Yelp DC Sails Away at the Naval Heritage Center

Last night, throngs of DC yelpers congregated at the Naval Heritage Center to Sail Away with Yelp! Although the ominous, threatening storm clouds looming over the nation's capital kept us from partying it up on the grounds of the US Navy Memorial, everyone was steaming it up indoors, and we have the photographic evidence to prove it. Scope out the pics here, once again, thanks to the diligent efforts of our awesome photographers, Jane K and Lillian C.

Upon arriving at their destination aboard the SS Yelp, attendees offered up Tons of Tuna for the fantastic local charity, DC Central Kitchen before descending into the morass of food, fun, and festive party-goers. Some yelpers came dressed to the nines – or perhaps dressed to kill? Jack F's full pirate regalia sure had us going, while Alicia G and Julie H seemed to be more equipped to float away with Yelp, and Lia D's sailor outfit was swimmingly convincing. Did anyone catch the plumage that Juliana C was sporting? Preppy yachters, booty-seeking pirates, and Navy midshipmen, we had the whole gamut – but where were the mermaids?

Plenty of great local businesses provided delightful morsels and refreshing energy boosters. Jackson's Roasting and Carving Company came equipped with seemingly endless hunks of mouth-watering meat, which they hand-carved for yelpers to dip in their many specialty sauces, Z-Burger went wild with stirring up milkshakes of an assortment of flavors, Teaism's famed salty oat cookies were snarfed up in mass quantities, Gifford's Ice Cream handed out cup after cup of decadent ice cream and subtly seductive sorbets, while Busboys and Poets offered up glass upon glass of refreshing (and antioxidant-rich) pomegranate lemonade.

The drinks started early and didn't let up, either! Red Stag black cherry infused whisky bourbon shots  were being dispensed from a chilled shot machine and tossed back as quickly as they were poured, DeKuyper shot girls with "rocket packs" full of pre-crafted drinks navigated their way around the room to spread some cheer, MGD 64 kept the fresh, light beer going all night long, Phil Greene of the Museum of the American Cocktail shook up dozens upon dozens of ginger mojitos crafted with Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and Mount Gay Rum, Non-Stop Vodka and Honest Tea paired up for some hefty Honest VodkaTeanis, Yealands and Tilia Wineries shared some red and white joy to make even the blue-est person light up, and Vitamin 10 water helped to stave off future hangovers. Whew!

Party on Marz spun some wicked beats and had Ronnail R and her hubby up and shaking it while everyone else lined up to be whisked away to distant escapes with JOLT Events' green screen photo booth. Be sure to stay tuned to our Yelp flickr photostream for those to make their debut.

Thanks again for coming out to sail away with us, and way to go Yelp DC for bringing in over three hundred cans of tuna to support our local community! Until next time, bon voyage and SYOY!