Tag Archives: Del Ray Business Association

Aug 31, 2014

Del Ray’s Got Talent…and Fashion at the last First Thursday for 2014

FashionShowDon’t miss the last First Thursday of the year this coming Thursday, Sept. 4th. Join the Del Ray Business Association for an evening of fashion, talent and fun,

Local merchants Amalgamated, Gossip on 23rd, Kiskadee, LuLu Lemon for Mind the Mat, Purple Goose and Salon Bisoux will style and coiffe our models for the runway show. And what’s a model without her canine sidekick? A Dog’s Best Friend has some surprises in store proving that canines + fashion = fun!

first thursdayThe Kate Moran Band will kick-off the evening promptly at 6 pm, and headline the talent portion of the evening following the runway show. Martha Krabill, singer in The Reflex ultimate 80’s band, will be a siren you won’t want to miss (you’ve seen her on American Idol Season 3). Our own Rayvonne Lewis will also be with us delighting the audience with his smooth dance moves. There may also may have some surprise walk-ons from some of our local politicians.

As in past events, they are asking for audience participation. Join us by wearing your favorite ensemble, Sunday best, high couture, drag attire, or even costume and you too may end up on the runway toward the end of the evening!

They are also asking for donations of new or gently used coats that will be put to good use by one of our favorite local charities, ALIVE. And be sure and check out additional activities that will be taking place up and down the Avenue.

So mark your calendars and we’ll see you this Thursday, September 4 th from 6 pm to 8 pm on the catwalk, located at Mt. Vernon & E. Oxford Avenues!

1st-thursday

 

Apr 28, 2013

First Thursday is back!

I’m so excited that the nice weather is back and our first First Thursday On The Avenue is this coming Thursday with the fun theme of “Cirque Du Del Ray”

The fun begins at 6:00 pm539739_444990802249578_18686802_n

Kicking off the First Thursday series with the Health and Wellness themed Cirque Du Del Ray! Come join the fun at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Oxford Street in a healthy carnival atmosphere where kids and their parents can participate in a variety of activities:

Tentative Schedule of Events in Farmer’s Market Lot (Mount Vernon & East Oxford)

6:00pm – Family Pictionary – “Healthy Foods” Osteopath Dr. Jennifer Lee & “Healthy KOZ”: 2 teams of 5 kids each will compete for a prize!

6:20pm – Little Gym of Alexandria in Van Dorn: activities for kids from 6 and up

7:00pm – Crossfit kids (wear sneakers) – Mount Vernon Community School

7:15pm – Barre Body – Studio Body Logic

7:30pm – Family Yoga (bring a mat) & Pilates Boot Camp (bring a mat) – Mind the Mat & Dragon Pilates

8:00pm – “Let’s Move” Del Ray Hula Hoop Party – DRBA

8:30pm – Closing Meditation (bring a mat) – Yoga & Daily Life Meditation

AND throughout the night, bring your bicycles for Velocity’s BIKE RODEO in the parking lot next to Del Ray Variety at 203 E Custis! Their staff will check out your bike and get it ready for a fun summer!

Check out last year’s Flash Mob!

 

 

Dec 05, 2012

Del Ray Tree Lighting

 

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Don’t miss the annual tree lighting this coming Friday Dec. 7th at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market parking lot, located at the corner of Mt. Vernon & E. Oxford Ave. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m.  Each year the Del Ray Business Association sponsors thousands of luminaries that are lit up and down Mt. Vernon Ave. and singing holiday favorites led by Del Ray’s own Kate Moran Band. photo 4

There will be hot chocolate and cookies and Santa will arrive after the crowd sings ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’. Santa will have candy canes for the kids and there is a photographer that will be taking pictures of the children with Santa that you will be able to download on-line.

 

In the spirit of the season and to help those less fortunate this holiday, the organizers are asking everyone to bring needed items for the Carpenter’s Homeless Shelter, including food (especially soup & canned meat), new twin sheets, disposable diapers and personal items (deodorant, razors, etc.). There will be drop-off boxes at the Farmers’ Market on Friday evening.photo 2

This is a great opportunity to see why Del Ray is such a magical little neighborhood. You can stop by one of the many businesses that will be staying open until 9 pm as part of the Holiday Celebration. Many stores will have specials and fun events. The brand new The Nest Academy daycare will also be having an open house from 6-8 p.m. and have free pictures with Santa. There will be a wine tasting hosted by Swirl & Sip at A Show of HandsIMG_1433

The Holiday Tree Lighting, Santa Visit and luminaries are sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association and are free.

Oct 25, 2012

16th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade

**UPDATE**

**THE HALLOWEEN PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE STORM**

Halloween will be here next week, so that means this coming Sunday is the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade!

This year it will be held on Sun., October 28th at 2 pm. Last year, more than 5,000 participated in this annual event which included over 2,000 children, special dignitaries and elected officials; over 50 pets in Halloween costumes; and 25 decorated strollers.

The parade begins at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Avenue, just south of E. Bellefonte and continues down Mt. Vernon Ave. to the Mount Vernon Recreational Center play fields at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb.

This year’s parade featured awards for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller. Judges include elected officials & City Dignitaries.  Awards will be given out at a brief ceremony at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues following the parade, along with refreshments (hot dogs donated by 7-Eleven, cider, and cookies) and goodie bags for the children (including as long as they last, healthy bags that will not have any candy). Entertainment will be provided by the popular band Mars Rodeo and again this year thanks to the Alexandria Jaycees there will be games and activities for the children. They will take place at the Mt. Vernon fields immediately following the parade. The Parade and all activities are free!

This year, please note that there is a major change for Stroller Entries for both registration location and judging. Based on feedback from parents, judging for the Stroller Competition will be done prior to the parade. Stroller entries must register by 1:30 pm at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and E. Howell. Look for long string of orange balloons & signs. Once registered, strollers will line up on Howell to be judged prior to participating in the parade. Please allow extra time to get to the judging area by 1:30 pm especially if your entry is difficult to maneuver or if you are a large group. There is no fee to register and there are lots of wonderful prizes donated from our local businesses. Categories are: “Creative”, “Humorous”, “Best Group or Family”, “Less is More” and “Overall”.

Registration for Pets begins at 1:30 pm on Mt. Vernon south of E. Howell Ave. Look for a long string of black balloons and signage to register your pet. Categories include: “Creative”, “Team”, “How Could You Do This to Me” & “Best of Show”.

There is no registration required for children and families that march in the parade – they should gather at Mt. Vernon Avenue, south of E. Bellefonte. Don’t feel like being in the parade? Watching can be just as fun to line up along Mt. Vernon Ave. and take in all the action!

There are a lot of children that need Halloween costumes and once again the DRBA will collect costumes at Caboose Cafe & A Show of Hands and distribute them. If you’ve got costumes at home that your children have outgrown, these would be greatly appreciated! These costumes will be distributed on Saturday, October 27th, from 2-4 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center.

Before the parade begins Bellies and Babies Children & maternity consignment boutique will have Sarah T. Henry Photography snapping pictures of your little ones in their costumes from 1-3 p.m. No cost for the mini photo shoot and she is offering 1/2 price on her digital images for $20 each ($40 value).

After the parade from 5 pm to 8 pm, for the 6th year, families can enjoy a Spooky Bean Halloween Haunted Graveyard (free!) that is being constructed by Bean Creative and will be located next to their lot at Mt. Vernon and E. Del Ray Avenue.