OTNA Kicks Off “Summer Sundays with the Arts”

Last Sunday, the Old Town North Alliance (OTNA) and its partners held the first Summer Sunday with the Arts in the 800 block of North Royal Street. Many neighborhood residents and folks who live farther away came out to enjoy the afternoon.

After Saturday’s storms, Sunday was a beautiful day with fairly low humidity. The street was closed, so it was safe and easy to wander the block. Kids drew with chalk and played with hula hoops, people purchased artists’ merchandise, and a small crowd hung out to the end of the event to listen to the fabulous Jacob Garbus Jazz Band play familiar tunes. Farmers market vendors in the adjacent Montgomery Park stayed open throughout the Summer Sunday event, adding to the excitement.

OTNA wants to express our gratitude to our partners: Made in ALX, the Old Town North Community Partnership, and the NOTICe civic association, as well as our individual volunteers. The City of Alexandria did a great job marking the street for “No Parking,” and we thank the Police Department for closing the street for our event.

We hope you will join us for the second Summer Sunday event on August 27 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, on the same block of North Royal Street. Now that we’ve got the hang of it, the next one will be bigger and better, with a different band, more artists and activities, and snacks! Then enjoy dinner out at one of the participating Restaurant Week locations in Old Town North: A La Lucia, Hank's Oyster Bar, Jula's on the Potomac, Oak Steakhouse, TJ Stone's and Yunnan.