Nationals Park was packed the last two months. In spite of the season and a lockout, D.C.’s Major League Baseball stadium was full of lights and people celebrating like their team just won the World Series. 

Enchant, a massive display of lights and holiday decorations, filled the park most every night. From Thanksgiving through January 2, Nationals Park was a winter wonderland. I loved it. I understand if you didn’t.

If you believe Christmas is a time to celebrate your lord and savior, maybe Enchant isn’t for you. 

If you believe Christmas is a time to exchange homemade gifts that don’t cost much, maybe Enchant isn’t for you. 

If you’re not opposed to commercialism and bright lights, you’ll be hard pressed to find more commercialism and bright lights than Enchant. 

I’m a fan of this attraction because it takes an otherwise dormant, large venue and offers job opportunities that have been missing for the last few years in the not exactly dormant, large venue. 

Major League Baseball is currently in a lockout. It’s unlikely a deal won’t be brokered between MLB and the player’s union before Opening Day, but it’s not impossible. After missing in person baseball in 2020 due to Covid and most of 2021 due to Covid, Washington Nationals fans never really got to celebrate the success of the 2019 World Series. All of the pomp and circumstance following the pinnacle of a team’s achievement was lost. The few remainders of that historic run still in Nationals Park are cruel reminders that all things must pass (The back of the Nationals Park scoreboard is a photo of Max Scherzer holding The Commissioner’s Trophy. Max Scherzer is no longer a National.). Based on the the last few years, Major League Baseball is no longer a rite of spring. In fact, it’s no longer guaranteed. Rather than lament what used to be, let’s embrace the lights.

This installation, which has absolutely nothing to do with baseball, is a very good reminder that heroes are temporary. What’s inspiring to a child may not be inspiring to an adult. 

Today, the first day without Enchant and the MLB lockout still on, I wish Enchant evolved from a Christmas focused celebration to a celebration of all things winter. What parent wouldn’t take their kids to a space to celebrate snow? Or the idea of snow? Or Valentine’s Day? Or St. Patrick’s Day? Or any other holiday that could be celebrated outdoors?

For Enchant’s entire run, the bars were packed, the lots were full (at least the ones they opened) and the lights were bright. It may not have filled the park for 81 nights, but it’s gave life to a venue and neighborhood that would otherwise be quiet. As long as there’s a global pandemic and climate change giving D.C. kids more and more snow days, any outdoor activity in an enclosed space is more than welcome.

Baseball stadiums should be used, even if there’s no baseball. 

Recommend If You Like pays all our writers. Not everyone does. If you've enjoyed anything we've done, cool. We have a Patreon. If you can't afford to become a patron, please sign up to our mailing list. It's free and we're asking here instead of a pop-up.