Tonight: July's First Thursday in Del Ray to Celebrate Country, Veterans

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Get out your red, white and blue: Del Ray will celebrate the USA and recognize veterans and military families at its next First Thursday street festival, "A Nation's Celebration: Red, White & Blue." The monthly event will take place Thursday, July 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue. The event will be free and open to all.

First Thursday will feature patriotic activities, discounts for veterans and military families at various businesses. It will also feature music by Mars Rodeo, an old-fashioned cake walk (and treat walk for dogs!), and more at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (located at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Oxford Avenue). A complete listing of businesses offering discounts for veterans and military families will be available at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square and at www.visitdelray.com. The event is free and open to all.

Festival-goers are encouraged to bring donations to benefit New Hope Housing, which is part of the City's efforts to ensure there are no homeless veterans in Alexandria.

Donations that are needed include:

• new single or queen size sheets
• new towel sets (bath, hand and wash cloth)
• gift cards to Target or grocery stores

Recently, New Hope Housing was able to secure a home in Del Ray and, with repairs completed by Rebuilding Alexandria, house three formerly homeless vets. The Del Ray Business Association notes that it is proud to support this effort to help a formerly homeless veteran make a new home. Donations will be collected at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square.

This month’s event is sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association and Jen Walker -- The Realtor for Del Ray. For more information on First Thursday, visit www.visitdelray.com. For more information on New Hope Housing, visit www.newhopehousing.org.

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