It wasn’t your usual First Thursday in Del Ray, as hundreds of residents celebrated the monthly community ritual by social distancing with a beach-themed party on their respective front porches.
The theme this month was a beach party, and children played with their parents in their front yards as other neighbors carried conversations over safe distances, talking about the latest goings-on during the collective experience that is the coronavirus pandemic.
Usually on First Thursday, Mount Vernon Avenue would be packed and Pat Miller Square would be cordoned off for a live musical performance, and crowds of residents and visitors would spend hours in shops, restaurants and eating at tables.
Erica and Adam Zajac are both working at home while taking care of their two kids in their house on E. Custis Avenue.
“I think that it’s been incredible just to be in this scenario, where there’s a lot of children,” Erica told ALXnow. “It’s it’s just such a blessing to have this type of community, particularly for First Thursday. We actually did this on Cinco de Mayo, too, on Tuesday.”
Their neighbors — all five members of the Dunham family — were also glad to get some fresh air.
“When you’re able to share your experiences and speak with your neighbors through the ups and the downs, to know that they’re there and everyone’s going through different but a similar experience just makes things easier,” Anna Dunham said. “This street does a really good job of keeping things. Last Saturday we had a derby party and two kids raced each other around the block with hobby horses.”
Just then, Dunham’s four-year-old daughter interrupted and said, “Did you hear? The coronavirus is gone!”
“Gone?” her mother replied. “You just declared it gone? Well, good news!”
Dunham then said, “It’s been challenging. It’s a lot of people in small spaces, and we’re grateful to be together and to have everybody healthy. Being outside definitely helps.”
Del Ray, as always, we are blown away — by your creativity, your generosity, your spirit. Congrats to the winners of…
Posted by Visit Del Ray on Friday, May 8, 2020
Recent Stories

Hi, my name is Moneim Z., and I am a blind male with chronic kidney disease, who needs a living kidney donor for a transplant. My blood type is B+, and I can accept a kidney from individuals who have blood types B and O.
To read my story, please see the attached letter.
To contact me directly, please email me at [email protected] or call at 571-428-5065. My living donor coordinator at INOVA Hospital, Amileen Cruz can be reached at (703) 776-8370 , or via email at [email protected]
Thank you!

If you’re looking for a mental health professional in Virginia, Washington D.C., or Maryland, we can help.
We provide a confidential and convenient way to get the help you need from the comfort of your own home.
We offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if our services fit your needs.
The services we offer are: