This has been an intense two weeks at the Alliance, as we have been working with Arlington County's Special Events team on the permit for our rescheduled Arlington Festival of the Arts. This free event usually takes place every April but, when Covid-19 hit, we postponed it until Labor Day weekend. For months, we were not sure if we would be able to make it happen, but we were thrilled when we received the green light! 

This year's event will inspire art lovers with all watercolors, oil painting, pottery, jewelry and more. However, there will be strict guidelines in place to ensure that everyone stays safe and healthy. Clarendon has gotten a little bit of a bum rap in this department lately but we know that we can do this well and do it safely and we are excited to show everyone how to put on a great event, during these unprecedented times. The entire festival takes place outside, we are spacing the artists' booths out far more than usual, we are limiting the number of people who will be in the festival at any given time, and everyone must wear a mask and hand sanitize, as they come inside the gates. 

There will be plenty of staff and volunteers on hand, all wearing masks and/or face shields, to ensure everyone is socially distancing and keeping the entire community safe. 

I will be honest, when I first thought about doing this event, I was nervous. I have older parents who are immunocompromised and I have been incredibly careful about my own interactions, over the course of the past 6 months. I would not allow the Alliance to co-host this annual event if I thought there was any chance we could compromise someone's health. I grew up in Arlington and this is my community, too. So, I promise we will take the utmost care but also create a unique and wonderful experience that we can all enjoy. So, we hope you will get out of your house on Labor Day weekend and come join us for an outstanding day, in the streets of Clarendon!