First Thursday Moves To Porches Of Del Ray Homes

ALEXANDRIA, VA — First Thursday won't take place along Mount Vernon Avenue on May 7 like it has in years past. As residents navigate life with social distancing, the Del Ray Business Association is offering a way to celebrate the event from their porches and homes.

First Thursday: Porch Party is planned from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. Residents can participate in these activities while practicing social distancing:

• Support local restaurants: Order dinner and drinks for carryout from one of Del Ray's local restaurants, and have dinner on your front porch, front steps, or front yard, and wave to neighbors from a distance. A list of restaurants and ordering information is provided at www.visitdelray.com/covid-19.
• Give to residents in need: Participants are encouraged to donate canned food for the Grace Church Food Pantry, which provides food staples to needy families and individuals. The Del Ray Business Association is aiming to collect 1,000 non-perishable food items. On Thursday, May 7 (by 4 p.m.), plastic tubs or boxes to put donations in will be put out on Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection of all streets from Hume to Braddock; in front of the Mount Vernon Recreation Center; and at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and the following streets: Braddock, Monroe, Alexandria Ave., Windsor, Del Ray, and Ashby.
• Show community spirit: Decorate your house, porch, door, or sidewalks for a chance to win $100 in Del Ray Dollars. Register as a participating house by emailing delraybingo@gmail.com. Rally cars will be going around taking pictures. Chalk is available under the covered entrance at Del Ray Psych & Wellness, 1900 Mount Vernon Avenue.
• Cheer for front-line workers: From 7 p.m. to 7:05 p.m., bang on pots & pans, get out your noise makers, blast music, or play an instrument to honor health care workers.
• Engage on social media: During First Thursday, take a video or picture and post it on your social media accounts with the hashtags #VisitDelRay and #delraystrong.

Some of the First Thursday activities are part of the Del Ray Bingo card. Residents can fill out the bingo card by completing various challenges for a chance to win a prize every two weeks. More information and a printout is provided at www.visitdelray.com/bingo.