Notes: Alexandria seeks local vendors for 2nd Annual Juneteenth Festival

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather

• Hazardous Weather Outlook
• Today: Showers, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 74. South wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%—new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Tonight: Showers, mainly before 8 p.m. Low around 37. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new precipitation amounts between a tenth and qa uarter of an inch possible.
• Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Alexandria’s Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Department (RPCA) is looking for local vendors to participate in its second annual Juneteenth Festival. This year’s event, which will be held on Saturday, June 21, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, has the theme “Celebrating Freedom.”

The RPCA is looking to bring 10 to 15 vendors on board for the 2025 festival, giving small local businesses a chance to showcase their offerings during this celebration of African American history and culture.

Want to be a part of it? Here’s what you need to know:

– Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on April 11 through the city’s online portal.
– A citizen-led Merchant Vendor Task Force will review applications alongside city staff, with the city having the final say.
– If you’re selected, you’ll hear back by May 5.
– There’s a $50 flat-rate fee, payable to the Charles Houston Advisory Council by June 13.
– All vendors need to be fully licensed to operate in Alexandria.

The RPCA encourages small local businesses to apply, saying, “This could be a great opportunity for you to connect with the community!”

Here’s what else you need to know

Spring arrived at 5:01 a.m. this morning. With the arrival of spring also comes the first day of The National Cherry Blossom Festival. Explore the events

Closer to home, Visit Alexandria has unveiled a lineup of cherry blossom-themed events, activities, and experiences in the city, giving both locals and tourists plenty of ways to enjoy the seasonal display. Read More

With the official arrival of spring, and the much-anticipated cherry blossom season in full swing, ALXnow is inviting residents and visitors alike to capture the beauty of Alexandria in its springtime glory via a spring photo contest. Read More

Spring time equals budget time, and the City will continue its grand tour with the budget when they host a resource fair, “The Fiscal 2026 Budget Bonanza“, today at 11:30 a.m. on Market Square. Read More

ALXnow is introducing a new monthly interview series featuring exclusive one-on-one live virtual video conversations with Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins.  The “Ask The Mayor” program will provide Alexandria residents with regular opportunities to hear directly from Mayor Gaskins on pressing city issues and to submit their own questions for consideration. Read More/Ask Questions

Of note, ALXnow has also invited Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt to join us for a one-on-one monthly conversation. Details to follow.

What We’re Covering Today:

• The Chamber ALX will host its General Assembly Breakfast at 8 a.m.. I’ll be there.
• We’ll have more from tonight’s ACPS School Board Meeting.
• We’ll also have coverage on the poster reveal party held last night for the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, more from our recent conversation with Delegate Elizabeth Bennet-Parker, a roundup of all that’s happening this weekend in Alexandria, and more.

📈 Wednesday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for March 19, 2025.

1. Smoking Kow BBQ on Duke Street scraps tipping policy and raises employee pay (682 views)
2. Notes: Alexandria native returns to city to lead Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities department (658 views)
3. POLICE: Man’s body recovered from the Potomac River at Jones Point Park (657 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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