Where/What to buy for symphony on the Capitol lawn?

[Rick]

We'll be visiting Labor Day weekend and plan on attending the free symphony on the lawn. Any suggestions on what food/snacks to bring and more importantly where to buy them? We will have a car, a fridge in our hotel room, and a cooler bag to bring with us. We'll need to buy prepared items as we have no means of prep.

Perhaps most importantly, are we allowed to bring food in a cooler bag onto the lawn?

[Elyssa]

I'm not sure if you can bring cooler bags. I would double check on the DC Governement website...they might have more info. But during 4th of July etc you can't bring coolers and large containers. Not sure if this symphony is the same thing (btw...free symphony!? Hmmmm I would like to hear more about that).

But in terms of wear you can pick up food prepared foods I would suggest either Dean and Deluca in Georgetown or Marvelous Market...multiple locations. Both have good options of premade foods---salads, sandwiches, pastas---great picnic food all around.

I should tell you that you should avoid bringing any alcohol unless you plan on hiding it well. Not to be a party pooper but there are actual laws against having it on the lawn of the Capitol/Mall. And while I have been known from time to time to sneak in a bottle of wine for a picnic or Screen on the Green usually these are not official events that are most likely heavly patrolled by the cops. Not worth getting caught because I think the fine is quite large.

[MakingSense]

Not a fine. You can get arrested for consuming alcohol on the Mall. They usually just make you pour it out, but they can arrest you. Don't risk it.
Since it's on the Capitol Grounds, it's under the jurisdiction of the US Capitol Police so you could call them but chances are the No Coolers Rule will apply. You can probably take paper bags with carry-out.
Nearby, there's the Cowgirl Creamery in PennQuarter for great cheeses and all the good stuff that go along with that. They have prepared sandwiches as well.
In the Capital Hill neighborhood behind the Capitol Building, there's a Marvelous Market as well as the Eastern Market with several stalls with prepared foods. Also a few places with carry-out sandwiches like Gandel's Liquor Store and Firehook Bakery.
Eastern Market is closed on Mondays. Some of the others may be closed if the concert is on Labor Day itself so check ahead.

[Jeserf]

Cowgirl Creamery is closed Sundays and Mondays (Mondays for now) if that is when the event is taking place.