Treasure or Trash? Del Ray Hosts Antique Appraisals During 2025’s Final First Thursday
By Dan Roth
Alexandria, VA – Have you ever wondered if that family heirloom is trash or treasure? Want to know more about your fab flea market find? The Del Ray Business Association, along with Monika Schiavo from Coldwell Banker Realty, will host a one-of-a-kind community event for the final First Thursday of 2025: Antique Appraisals on the Avenue, taking place Thursday, Sept. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.
This event will transform The Wellness Junction (1900 Mt. Vernon Avenue) into a lively hub where residents and visitors can bring cherished items—from heirloom jewelry to pictures of vintage furniture—for evaluation by three expert appraisers:
- Oscar Fitzgerald, PhD – American furniture historian, Smithsonian/George Washington University faculty
- Dale Sorenson, PhD – Rare books, maps, and autographs specialist
- Crystal Gitchell – Vintage clothing specialist, Marchioness Vintage
Adding to the family-friendly atmosphere, Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (Mt. Vernon & Oxford Avenues) will host the “Future Treasures” Kids Art Zone, where children can create sun catchers, self-portraits, and sidewalk chalk masterpieces—perhaps tomorrow’s heirlooms in the making.
Since the launch of the award-winning Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market in 2019, Del Ray’s main street has become a hub for vintage lovers and antique collectors. The Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market takes place the second Saturday of the month at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Bellefonte Avenues, drawing over 50 vendors and thousands of shoppers from the region. Del Ray is also home to Magpie Reclamations, specializing in mid-century modern, antique, and vintage furniture & home decor; Stardust Vintage + Gift, a new shop launched by Del Ray Vintage & Flea manager Amy Eggers that features vintage home goods, clothing, vinyl, barware, jewelry, plus gift items with a retro vibe; and La Brocante, featuring antiques, vinyl records, and other collectables.
Antique Appraisals on the Avenue will be the final First Thursday celebration for 2025. Sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association, this event supports local shops and restaurants, and brings together the community for an evening of discovery, history, and fun. Learn more and register to have your treasure appraised at visitdelray.com.
Del Ray Docket
Sept. 4
First Thursday: Antique Appraisals on the Avenue
6 p.m. to dusk along Mt. Vernon Avenue
Is that family heirloom trash or treasure? The final First Thursday of the summer features free antique appraisals, live music, and children’s crafts. For complete details and to submit an item for appraisal, visit visitdelray.com.
Sept. 5-20
Second Time Around Exhibit
Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue
This exhibit focuses on sustainable creativity and enhancing the artistic environmental ethos with artwork utilizing recycled materials plus special upcycling workshops.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
Del Ray Farmers’ Market
The Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This year-round market features fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheeses, bread, fresh pasta, baked goods, cut flowers and more.
Sept. 13
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Mount Vernon & East Bellefonte Avenues
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Find your treasure! Shop 50+ vendors selling vintage, antique, thrift, artisan goods, and more. For more information, visit delrayvintageflea.com.
Sept. 13
Gustave Art & Craft Market
2213 Mount Vernon Avenue
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shop small, shop local, and shop creative with local artisans while savoring Gustave’s Parisian specialties at this outdoor art market.
Sept. 20
Del Ray Artisans’ HalloWEIRD Art Market
Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, Mount Vernon & Commonwealth Avenues
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join the Del Ray Artisans for a Halloween-themed outdoor art market offering a wide range of original artwork including ceramics, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, paper, photography, and more.
Sept. 20
Cinema Del Ray
Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, at Mount Vernon Ave. and Commonwealth Ave.
Dusk
Join The Jen Walker Team for a special outdoor showing of Remember the Titans in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the movie based on a true story of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School football team. The movie starts at dusk and is free and open to all
Sept. 28
RUN! GEEK! RUN!
Start/finish at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt Vernon Avenue
8:30 a.m.
Presented by Ironistic, RUN! GEEK! RUN! is an annual 5K run and 1K kids’ fun run that raises money to support a local charity; this year’s beneficiary is Senior Services of Alexandria. Visit rungeekrun.com for more information and to register. Register by Sept. 14 for an early registration discount!
Oct. 4
Art on the Avenue
Along Mount Vernon Avenue
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Art on the Avenue, Del Ray’s signature arts festival, features over 350 artists, live music, international food, children’s activities, a pie baking contest, and more. The event is free and open to all; trolley transportation available from Potomac Yard and Braddock Road Metro. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org.
