End-of-September Music Festival Rocks Del Ray to Benefit Wilderness Kids Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Del Ray will be alive with music, food, and fun on Sunday, September 28, when six local bands take the stage for the 3rd Annual Wilderness Kids Alexandria Community Music Festival. From noon to 5 p.m. at Pat Miller Square on Mt. Vernon Avenue, festival-goers can enjoy live music, games, and family-friendly activities—all while supporting a nonprofit that helps Alexandria teens connect with the great outdoors.

The festival is free to attend and packed with something for everyone: face-painting, crafts, ping-pong, cornhole, raffles, and great eats from neighborhood favorites.

“We are really excited to bring our festival into the heart of Del Ray,” said Jerry Casagrande, Executive Director of Wilderness Kids Alexandria. “We are looking forward to an event that brings together all parts of our City for some great music and fun, all to support getting more teenagers outside more often.”

The lineup rocks:

• The Maysuns – Alexandria City High School alums bringing fresh indie vibes

• The Derds – back by popular demand after last year’s set

• Mustard Tiger and Czars of Leisure – new to the festival stage

• Youth bands Redwood and Beachface – proving the future of Alexandria music is bright

Between sets, guests can grab raffle tickets for prizes ranging from gift cards to local restaurants up and down “the Avenue” to outdoor gear from Patagonia Old Town. A 50-50 raffle will also add to the excitement.

All proceeds benefit Wilderness Kids Alexandria, founded in 2021 to open doors for teens from under-resourced families through transformative outdoor experiences. In the past year, the organization has engaged more than 170 students in after-school clubs, weekend hikes, paddling trips, camping adventures, and skill-building in climbing, swimming, and more. Students have explored Annapolis Rocks, Seneca Rocks, the Alleghenies, and the Maryland coast.

“We know both intuitively and from all the research out there that being outside in nature is really good for our physical and mental health. We also know that, unfortunately, today’s teens are facing a real mental health crisis,” Casagrande said. “Getting outside for a couple hours after school, skipping rocks, or hiking with a few friends on the weekend, or paddling on the Potomac: these are the foundations of positive mental and physical health practices that can last our students a lifetime.”

“Plus,” he added, “they’re really fun.”

The festival is made possible thanks to generous sponsors including Alexandria Toyota, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, James Crowe Realty, the Jen Walker Team, and many more.

For full details, visit https://www.wildernesskidsalexandria.org/music-fest