This Thursday, July 5th from 6 pm to 9 pm the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) will host July’s First Thursday – Main Street 4th of July Staycation.

On Thursday night, at the Farmer’s Market lot at Mt. Vernon & E. Oxford Avenue and all along Mt. Vernon Avenue, we promise the following fun “vacation” type events happening right here in Del Ray:

1) Historical Walking Tour of Del Ray – pick up a map at the Farmer’s Market Lot & take a self-guided tour down Mt. Vernon Avenue where you will learn answers to 6 fun historic questions about Del Ray.  Turn in your answers & be eligible for door prizes. Winning entries will be drawn at 8 pm.

2) Have your “family vacation photo” taken by one of Del Ray’s favorite photographer, Wayne Hulehan.  Check in at the Farmer’s Market for the exact location and then photos will be posted on a link on the DRBA website.

3) What vacation is complete with out cooling off from the heat.  Stop by Del Ray’s “misting tent” located next to the Neighborhood Pharmacy at 2204 Mt. Vernon Avenue to cool off.

4) Participate in one of Del Ray’s “funnest” July First Thursday events – the annual Cake Walk. For those not familiar with it, thanks to dozens of wonderful neighbors that have offered to donate cakes, cup cakes, pies, etc. we hope to be able to have a “cake walk” approximately every 15 minutes from 6:15 pm to about 8:15 or until cakes run out.  Everyone is invited to participate (sort of like musical chairs but there are no chairs) and we usually do it in groups of children, groups of strollers, groups of adults and even in groups of our favorite 4 legged friends (we will have doggie treats for them).  If you have no clue what I’m talking about, come down and see an old fashioned cake walk – we promise you a fun time.

As you walk up and down the Avenue, you will also get to get discover and take advantage of the many other activities our great businesses will be hosting.

And finally, on a serious note, as we celebrate our Nation’s freedom, we would like to do something to thank those troops that are half way around the world defending those freedoms.  We will be collecting the following items and donating them to troops overseas:

Shampoos, Deodorant, Eye Drops, International Phone cards, Gum, Toothpaste, Chapstick, Lifesavers/Hardcandy, Baby wipes, Razors, Dried fruit, Flip-flops for shower, Beef jerky & Girl Scout Cookies 🙂

Please bring items to the Farmer’s Market site on Thursday night – hopefully we will have lots of items to show our troops how much we truly appreciate all the they are doing for us.
Special thanks to Kevin Reilly and Alexandria Hyundai for being this month’s sponsor and to Kate Moran for providing the music for both this month’s First Thursday and for our cake walks.

So, let’s continue our celebration of our Nation’s Independence and come dressed in red, white and blue and plan to vacation in Del Ray.  We look forward to seeing you on the Avenue on Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm.

And mark your calendars for future First Thursdays–August 2nd for Art Walk on the Avenue & September 6th for Always in Fashion, Del Ray!