Bowser Administration Celebrates 36th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet

Pool Closures in Support of Event Include Takoma, Marie Reed, Turkey Thicket, and Rumsey

(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Friday, February 17 – Sunday, February 19, 2023, Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomes visitors and residents to the 36th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM) at the Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren Street, NW).

During Black History Month swimmers nationwide from ages 5-18 converge on the nation’s capital to compete in one of the longest-running minority swim meets in the world.

The three-day annual event, jointly produced by DPR and the United Black Fund, Inc. (UBF), will attract nearly 80 swim teams and 800 swimmers from across the United States. Swimmers compete in standard swim events, such as the individual medley, freestyle, butterfly, relays, backstroke, and breaststroke. The swim meet is also streamed live for all to witness the action from the pool deck.

The Black History Invitational Swim Meet was founded in 1987 by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the United Black Fund, Inc. (UBF) with the mission to provide urban youth exposure to strong competition, and a forum to meet positive role models. This competition is now recognized by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, as the "premier minority swim competition in the United States and the world."

For more information and to watch the 36th Annual BHISM, visit BlackHistorySwimMeet.splashthat.com for more information about this event.

DPR Aquatic Centers will close for the 36th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet:

Takoma Aquatic Center will serve as the host site for the BHISM and will close on Thursday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m. in preparation for the event. Due to staffing for this event, Marie Reed, and Rumsey Aquatic Centers will be closed on Saturday, February 18, and Sunday, February 19, 2023. Additionally, Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center will close for scheduled maintenance from February 11 through February 20.

Pools that will remain open to the public include Barry Farm, Deanwood, and Wilson Aquatic Centers.

NOTE: All DPR facilities (including all aquatic centers) will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of Presidents’ Day. All DPR facilities will reopen on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

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