20th Annual 'Art on the Avenue' Returns Saturday to Del Ray

One of the area’s biggest fall festivals — Art on the Avenue returns for its 20th year Saturday to Del Ray — and organizers are gearing up for the big day. The multi-cultural arts festival celebrates Del Ray’s diversity through the arts.

The festival was supposed to be held last weekend, but organizers postponed it to this weekend due to the threat of storms.

The weather forecast for Saturday is for partly sunny skies and a high of 65 degrees.

Art

The festival, set for Saturday, Oct. 10 on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, will attract between 50,000 to 75,000 visitors who will stroll down Mt. Vernon Avenue, between Bellefonte and Hume avenues, where people are greeted by more than 300 artists (silversmiths, beaders, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors, fabric artists), musicians (Irish, folk, rock n’ roll, country and more), and food vendors (hot dogs, BBQ, Indian, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on a stick, home-made cider donuts). Kids activities have always been a vital part of the festival and include stuffing your own scarecrow, painting a pumpkin, lotus flower designing, weave screen art, to name a few.

• See all the participating artists here.

Music

Art on the Avenue hosts four stages that are packed with free entertainment throughout the day. Each stage will have different performers scheduled Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Twin Stages at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Oxford Avenues – two stages go continuously, while one stage has performers, the other stage has the next entertainment being set up.
• Homegrown Stage at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Bellefonte Avenues – all performers on this stage are from the Del Ray area.
• Acoustic Stage in the Nature’s Nibbles side yard located at Mt. Vernon and Stewart Avenues – this stage features music at its best where individual artists perform playing their own music.
• Concert Band Stage at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center soccer field – this stage features musicians from the Del Ray Performing Arts Center.

Be sure to visit the Art on the Avenue Festival Store, across the street from the Twin Stages at 2308 Mt Vernon Avenue (in front of the UPS Store) and take home your favorite Art on the Avenue musical artist’s CD.

The Alexandria Citizens Band will be playing at Art on the Avenue this year from 10-11 a.m. at the court’s entrance to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center field. The Alexandria Citizens Band is a community organization comprising volunteer members who bring musical entertainment to the City of Alexandria and the DC metro area. The band was organized in 1912 and is one of the oldest community bands in the country. During the summer, the band plays for the Friday concert series at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria as well as at Fort Ward Park.

Pie-baking contest

Once again, this year’s Art on the Avenue will feature the annual Pie-Baking Contest. Homemade pies will be on display starting at noon across from the festival store (between Del Ray and Oxford avenues). Judging begins at 12:15 p.m and sales will kick off around 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in two divisions – youth (17 and under) and adults. See if your culinary skills are prize worthy, or just come out and buy a slice for a great cause.

Meet the judges

• Bobi Bomar of Homes of Alexandria, Del Ray resident, realtor and long-time Pie Contest sponsor
• Dana Lawhorne Alexandria Sheriff and esteemed Art on the Avenue pie judge
• Nora Partlow, founder and recently retired owner of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in the heart of Del Ray

After judging, pies will be available for $3 a slice with all proceeds benefiting neighbor Mary Karstens, as she fights cancer. The “Pie Partner” sponsor again this year is Bobi Bomar of Homes of Alexandria. She is a Del Ray real estate expert, resident and community philanthropist.

• Pie-baking contest entry form here.

Food

Art on the Avenue is a celebration of Del Ray’s diversity — and there is no better way to experience that than through food. This year, there will be 22 food offerings featuring Asian, Indian, Mexican, BBQ, crab cakes, tapas, hot dogs and more. Don’t forget to check out the food court in the field at Mt. Vernon Community School. Sample dishes from around the world in our neighborhood. Chairs and tables are provided for a chance to eat, relax and listen to music.

• See the listing of food vendors here.
• See a festival map here.

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