We're not gonna lie. When we first heard this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival was opting to pay for exhibitors' Metro fares from around DC instead of paying for plane fare from some exotic faraway place like Indonesia, we readied our "What You Talkin' 'Bout Willis Side Eyes". But then we remembered our local-loving mission here at Scoutmob, so we ripped off our Judgey McJudgey pants (we have the convenient break-away variety) and instead decided to don our LessJerky McOpenMindedness knickerbockers, and gee whiz, do these fit much better. And so we decided to give this year's less international, more local festival another look.

Best. Decision. Ever.

This Festival, while perhaps not as flashy, still looks pretty awesome. It'll be split into three categories: Campus + Community, Citified, and Creativity + Crisis. The first offers national programming, including Native American cooking classes, Vermont maple syrup tastings and a most curious discussion entitled, "Teaching Dinosaur Science Using Unthinkable Methods." And that's just on the opening day, June 27.

The second is all DC-based programming that will allow local artists, musicians and performers to gain larger exposure. Join Jay Coleman for an arts workshop, see Beat Ya Feet Dance perform and listen to Christylez Bacon blow your dang mind.

Finally, the third part of the festival will bring the AIDS Memorial Quilt back to town, as well as pertinent discussion on HIV/AIDS-related topics and specifically, how the virus has affected and is portrayed through art.

For a full schedule of all this year's programming, check out the Festival's website. Or, do as most locals do and just show up whenever's convenient. Chances are there'll be something cool happening. The Festival runs in two segments. The first starts Wednesday, June 27, and goes until Sunday, July 1. The second begins Wednesday, July 4, and runs until Sunday July 8.