Del Ray's First Thursday Postponed To Later April Date

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Once warm weather sticks around for the season, First Thursday street festivals will return to Del Ray. The first event of 2022 was scheduled for Thursday, April 7, but it was postponed to Thursday, April 21 due to inclement weather.

"Books on Parade."

This free event will take place along Mount Vernon Avenue from 6 p.m. to dusk. The First Thursday street festivals feature a different theme every month and collect donations for a local cause. For April's event, the theme is "Books on Parade."

Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book or movie character. The event will feature live music from Mars Rodeo, and themed activities. Activities will include story time and STEM activities with nonprofit The Spitfire Club, an extracurricular book club centered around diverse girl-positive books. The nonprofit seeks to boost literacy and social-emotional skills as well as a love for reading. Spitfire Club will have a raffle for tickets to the April 26 Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders game as well as a $100 gift card from The Garden.

The Spitfire Club will be the recipient of donations for April's First Thursday. Children's books and upcycle craft materials will be collected at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues). For a list of needed items, visit thespitfireclub.org/post/we-need-your-random-stuff.

First Thursdays are held each first Thursday of the month from April to September. April's event is sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association and Windmill Hill Design Build.

Other upcoming First Thursday events include:

• May 5: Dog Days in Del Ray
• June 2: Unmask Your Superhero
• July 7: Red, White, and Blue
• Aug. 4: Aloha Thursday
• Sept. 1: Show Your Spirit