Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue Nominated for Contest

UPDATE: You can vote in this contest daily until Sunday.

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Want to help Del Ray win a $25,000 grant?

Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue has been nominated for Independent We Stand's Main Street contest. The goal of the America's Main Streets contest is to help promote the importance and strong economic benefits of these Main Streets and the small businesses that help them thrive. The Main Streets program is an offshoot of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

If Mount Vernon Avenue wins the contest, the Del Ray Business Association could win a $25,000 grant.

Here's the description of Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue from the nomination:

"Located just across the river from Washington, DC is the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, where Main Street still exists. The dog- and stroller-friendly Mount Vernon Avenue is the heart of the neighborhood, featuring independent shops, award-winning restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, an independent pharmacy, a butcher, a gourmet cheese shop, specialty wine & beer stores, a pet supply shop, holistic health businesses, art studios, a comic book shop, post office, a weekly farmer's market, and so much more. The wide diversity of businesses means residents in this walkable neighborhood can run their errands or go out on the town without getting in the car -- though our Main Street also draws visitors from across the Potomac and beyond, including the Obama family. The local business association not only supports locally owned independent businesses, but also promotes a close-knit community with signature events like Art on the Avenue, Taste of Del Ray, a Halloween parade, and a 5-mile Thanksgiving run, plus a monthly "First Thursday" street festival. All events are volunteer-run, and benefit area non-profits. Thanks to the efforts of our business leaders, this eclectic neighborhood has a small-town feel -- despite being just minutes from the nation's capital."

Voting

Voting for quarterfinalists in the contest is underway, until April 24. Individuals may visit the Website and follow the instructions to cast one (1) vote each day for his/her favorite submission. The 25 submissions that receive the highest number of public votes will be deemed the quarterfinalists.

If Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue makes it to the next level, semifinalist voting is set for May 2-May 29. The 10 submissions that receive the highest number of public votes will be deemed the semifinalist submissions.

On June 2, a panel of contest judges will judge and rate the submissions from the 10 semifinalists. The semifinalists whose submission received the highest rating from the contest judges will be deemed to be the winner of the grand prize.

Click here to vote daily (no email or registration required) -- and share!

PHOTO of Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray from contest