Hundreds Turn Out for Del Ray Christmas Tree Lighting and Chanukah Menorah Celebration Last Night 

Alexandria, VA – Old Town had its tree lighting on November 23. Old Town had its Scottish Walk Saturday. Last night it was Del Ray’s turn to shine. And shine it did. The Del Ray Holiday Kick-Off lit up Pat Miller Square, drawing hundreds of residents and visitors to celebrate the start of the Del Ray holiday season Sunday December 8. Cheerful participants poured onto the Square and spilled out onto Mount Vernon Avenue to witness the annual lighting of the giant Christmas tree and tall Menorah. The imposing candelabra will be lit December 25 on the first night of Hanukkah.

Lit Christmas tree and Chanukah Menorah stand at attention, side by side, in Del Ray’s Pat Miller Square. Photo: Lucelle O’Flaherty/Zebra Press

Blocks and blocks of Mount Vernon Avenue were transformed into a magical holiday wonderland last night. Streets were blocked off, allowing visitors to meander freely through the enchanted landscape. Clear skies and comfortable temperatures were a welcome reprieve from last week’s winter blast, luring the extra-large turnout to this picturesque avenue. The crowd milled about, sipping steaming hot chocolate, and enjoying pre-program Christmas and Chanukah tunes by the Del Ray Youth String Ensemble, and the Alexandria Children’s Chorus. Cantor Jason Kaufman of Beth El Hebrew Congregation, and Pastor Sheila Whiting of MFHCCI lead a community sing-along.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson welcomed the audience, his delight palpable. This was a particularly poignant evening for him, not only because it is the last time he will preside over this major holiday event but because he lives just a few blocks away. After his appearance on stage, the mayor chatted with Zebra about his special connection to Del Ray. 

“This is my neighborhood. This is where I got started. And so it’s certainly fun to see this and you know, this event grows every year. Our community comes together. It’s a great way to start the holiday season.” 

On Sunday December 15, Mayor Wilson will be honored at a roast to mark his over two decades at city hall, first as councilman, then vice mayor, and two terms as mayor. “I’m a little worried because I don’t know anything about it, which scares me,” the mayor laughed.  “I don’t have anything prepared. I will probably have a lot to respond to, though!”  

Last night’s Del Ray event was billed as a Christmas tree and Chanukah menorah lighting but in fact, the menorah will not actually be lit until the first night of Chanukah on December 25. The crowd will once again gather that evening, which also happens to be Christmas, to usher in the eight-day holiday and light the first candle. Each night another candle is kindled, until the Menorah glows bright with all eight, including the shamash, the candle that lights all the others. 

“There’s something very very special about Chanukah that’s particular to the Jewish people,” Rabbi David Spinrad began. He is spiritual leader of Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria. “And it’s also got a universal message for everyone. It’s a story about a triumph of spirit over matter, over the few, over the many. It’s kind of a hard time in the world right now, would you agree?” Spinrad asked the audience.  “When we look around, we’ve only got two choices. We can either light a candle or we can curse the darkness. What would you rather do? Each one of us has the capacity, has the power to be a light, to light a little candle. That’s the message of Chanukah.” 

And now it was time for the big moment, the moment everyone was waiting for.  

Emcee Daniel Roth teased the crowd. “We have the singers. But we need one more thing. What could we possibly need, everyone?” he jested. “Reindeer, reindeer,” the children screamed. Roth led the exuberant crowd in a rousing rendition of “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Santa jumped onto the stage and joined Mayor Wilson for the countdown. Santa then flicked the switch, and the Christmas tree sparkled to life. The crowd erupted in cheers. 

Visitors strolled down Mount Vernon Avenue, getting a head start on their holiday shopping. They stopped to gaze at hand-painted storefront windows and the warm glow of thousands of luminarias, in honor of the late Nancy Dunning. 

Virginia State Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker also makes her home in Del Ray. She, her husband Stephen, and eighteen-month-old daughter stopped by to take in the magical scene.  

“The Del Ray Tree and Menorah lighting is one of the highlights of my family’s holiday season, especially this year as it was my daughter’s first time experiencing it. It’s a tradition that brings our community together, and I’m excited to see it grow year after year!,” Bennett-Parker told Zebra. 

Alex and Debbie Perry live in Del Ray with their two school-aged children. Christmas is a big deal in Alexandria. In 2017, Debbie Perry thought Chanukah should be celebrated too. She loves her Del Ray neighborhood and wanted her kids and other Jewish families in the city to feel included. That inspired Perry to procure a Menorah for the annual festivities.  

“Based on a number of factors, the primary ones being age of the old menorah and wanting to move its location, we decided to replace it with one that could free-stand and be easier to light,” Alex Perry told Zebra.  “So, we simply asked people to chip in and make it a community effort. The Del Ray Business Association was supportive in getting our word out and it was funded within a week.” 

Debbie Perry wanted to publicly thank the contributors, but laryngitis kept her from addressing the crowd. Undeterred, she rose to the stage with her 12-year-old son, who delivered the speech for his mom. 

This is the 14th annual Del Ray tree and menorah lighting. The natural pine was gifted to the community by “Mango” Mike Anderson and Bill Blackburn, owners of the Homegrown Restaurant Group. 

Go here for more Del Ray holiday events. 

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