Though the region has no shortage of rooftops for spending your summer evenings on, District officials are hoping you spend Friday nights at a public pool.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that it will keep one of its 23 public pools open until 11 p.m. on select Fridays throughout the summer. The Late Night Drip series, as these rotating, family-friendly late-night swims are being called, will feature free food and live music.

The new summer activities come off the heels of last year’s Late Night Hype series of free block parties throughout the District’s neighborhoods.

“We’ve been thrilled to see the success of DPR’s innovative Late Night Hype events, with thousands of residents joining together for nights of community fun,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser in a statement released today. “Now, we’re excited to expand the popular series to our pools and ensure young people have plenty of safe, fun, and engaging options this summer throughout the District.”

Late Night Hype will also return this year with carnival-style events including bouncy houses, video games, free popcorn, grilled food, and snow cones. This year’s events might also include a double Dutch competition, a mambo sauce competition, and a “good old-fashioned” hot dog eating competition, according to DPR director Delano Hunter.

“Every one we try to give it a different twist to kind of keep it fun,” Hunter says. “There’ll be special guest appearances. There’ll be fun and games and competitions and prizes.”

Hunter says the idea for the series was born out of the need to provide safe and secure activities for residents amid pandemic closures.

Currently, D.C.’s outdoor pools are open for weekends only but starting on June 27, many will begin to operate six days a week. But at least one pool won’t be back for the summer: , DPR and the Department of General Services announced in May that the Frances Pool and Stead Park’s spray park in Ward 2 would be closed for the season due to construction.

While there have been reports of lifeguard shortages around the region and country, Hunter says normal operations and these late-night events should not be affected by a lifeguard shortage reported around the country. However, “we’re still looking for more lifeguards,” he says, and encourages residents interested in working as lifeguards or pool operators to participate in DPR’s free training program.

Dates and locations for Late Night Drip pool parties and Late Night Hype block parties are below. While tickets are free, DPR advises residents to register online.

Late Night Drip – Fridays 6 p.m.-11 p.m.

• June 10: Ridge Road Pool
• July 8: Oxon Run Pool
• July 22: Woody Ward Pool
• August 5: Fort Stanton Pool
• August 19: Banneker Pool

Late Night Hype – Fridays 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

• June 17: Kennedy Rec Center
• June 24: Bald Eagle Rec Center
• July 15: Emery Heights Comm Center
• July 29: Rosedale Rec Center
• August 12: Turkey Thicket Rec Center