Community News

DRBA Moves First Thursday Celebration to Neighborhood Porches

Asks participants to wear their masks and keep their distance while taking part in activities

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Alexandria, VA-  When presented with a problem, people often find creative ways to solve it. In that spirit, the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) will hold its opening First Thursday celebration, which promotes community togetherness, as everyone practices social distancing.

The event will take place on Thursday, May 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. “First Thursday: Porch Party,” as it is called, will allow people to feel a sense of community in Del Ray from their own porches. The DRBA asks participants to wear their masks and keep their distance while taking part in activities.

  • Support Del Ray’s Restaurants: Order dinner and drinks for carryout from one of Del Ray’s local restaurants, and have dinner on your front porch, front steps, or front yard, and wave to neighbors from a distance!  For a list of the operating status and ordering information for restaurants, visit www.visitdelray.com/covid-19

  • Give to Those in Need:  Participants are encouraged to donate canned food for the Grace Church Food Pantry, which provides food staples to needy families and individuals.  Our goal is to collect 1,000 non-perishable food items!   On Thursday, May 7 (by 4 p.m.), plastic tubs  or boxes will be placed on Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection of all streets from Hume to Braddock; in front of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center; and at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and the following streets: Braddock, Monroe, Alexandria Ave., Windsor, Del Ray, and Ashby.

  • Show Community Spirit:  Decorate your house, porch, door, or sidewalks — get creative and decorate in any way you wish!  Enter to win $100 in Del Ray Dollars by registering your house as a participating house by emailing [email protected]. Rally cars will be going around taking pictures. The more houses on your street, the better!  Chalk is available under the covered entrance at  Del Ray Psych & Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue).
  • Make Some Noise:  From 7 p.m. to 7:05 p.m., let us hear you!  Bang on pots & pans, get out your noise makers, blast music, or play an instrument in honor of our health care heroes!
  • Share the Love: During First Thursday, take a video or picture and post it on your social media accounts with the hashtags #VisitDelRay and #delraystrong. (This also completes square #1 on Del Ray Bingo!  For details on playing, click HERE.

First Thursdays run from April to September. To learn more, click HERE.

ICYMI: Governor Releases Guidelines for Virginia’s Phased Reopening

 

Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

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