Gaskins鈥� leadership comes at a time when Alexandria’s neighborhoods, schools, and housing policies still reflect the legacy of segregation, restrictive zoning, and systemic inequality.

Throughout her campaign, the 35-year-old mayor-elect said she faced resistance over her age and relatively short time living in Alexandria.

鈥淭he biggest pushbacks that I got on the campaign were often an argument that she’s not old enough, and she hasn’t lived here long enough,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 can’t help where I was born, and I can’t help when I was born, and so my age is actually my strength. It allows me to bring a new energy, and also I’m not new. I’ve lived here over eight years, but I chose Alexandria as my home,鈥� she added.

As a working mother of two young children, Gaskins also addressed assumptions about balancing family life with leadership.

鈥淚 often was met with a very old-school mentality of, how are you going to do it all, or what’s going to happen to your children?鈥� she said.

鈥淏eing able to do this alongside my kids and be an example for them of what’s possible is one of my greatest joys.鈥�

Gaskins will take office Jan. 2 as Alexandria鈥檚 mayor, following her three years serving as a city council member.

While her historic election reflects shifting dynamics, questions persist about how fully Alexandria has moved toward acceptance and equality.

“I have a number of people sort of commenting on just our city’s history, where we’ve been, where we are, and sort of whether or not a Black woman could be accepted or rise to leadership in our city,鈥� she said.

This reaction speaks to the larger issue of Alexandria鈥檚 racial history, which has shaped the development of key neighborhoods, the structure of its schools, and access to housing. 

From the establishment of historically black communities to the legacy of redlining, and these historical patterns continue to influence community dynamics today.

Gaskins’ election marks a historic moment as she becomes the first black woman to serve as mayor in the city’s history, building on the legacy of William D. Euille, who, in 2003, became Alexandria鈥檚 first Black mayor. It also raises questions about how Alexandria can address its deep-rooted inequalities and move toward a more inclusive future.

鈥淚 think it’s a wonderful achievement. It’s exciting for us to have an African American mayor, as it was very exciting for us to have Bill Euille when he was elected the first African male mayor for the city of Alexandria,鈥� said Audrey Davis, director of Alexandria鈥檚 African American History Division.

鈥淥f course there will always be challenges, but I’m sure she’s going to face those head on, and we’re looking forward to seeing the work that she does with the city.鈥�

After the establishment of the town of Alexandria in 1780, numerous mayors led its governance through significant historical milestones. Robert Townshend Hooe, the newly established town鈥檚 first mayor, was a prominent merchant whose ties to slavery reflect the era’s complexities.

show that Hooe arranged an apprenticeship for an enslaved boy in 1800, highlighting the profound connection of slavery to Alexandria鈥檚 leaders and in shaping its early economic and social structures.

The Freedom House Museum located at 1315 Duke Street holds a chilling legacy behind its dilapidated brick structure. It was once the hub of , one of the largest slave trading operations in the United States.

Enslaved individuals were held within its walls, awaiting their fate, whether to be sold at auction or shipped to the south, a process that tore countless families apart, some having never reunited again.

Between 1810 and 1860, traders like trafficked nearly enslaved people.

The pen represented despair for those held there but also resilience, as seen in the story of Mary and Emily Edmonson, enslaved sisters who attempted to escape slavery in 1848.

Today, the building stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s harrowing history.

鈥淚 think we’ve made tremendous changes, African American history is not just siloed at the Black History Museum or, say, the African American Heritage Park, but is represented in all of our historic sites,鈥� said Davis.

鈥淲e also have social justice initiative, the community remembrance project, where we highlight our city’s history of racial terror, so we are committed to making sure the city is educated about those crimes, and that we are working to make sure that Alexandria is a welcoming community for people of all races, of all ethnicities, as they come to the city,鈥� she said.

The legacy of slavery persisted long after its in late 1865, with racial segregation shaping the city鈥檚 neighborhoods and daily life.

鈥淓verything was separate, whatever you needed, separate schools, separate churches, separate restaurants, separate stores, separate areas to live in, separate ways of travel, everything,鈥� said fourth-generation Alexandrian Lillian Stanton Patterson.

Patterson, who lived during the era of segregation, still vividly recalls how it impacted every aspect of life.

鈥淲hen you rode on the bus, White people sat in the front and Black people sat in the back. And if the bus got crowded, White people could move and sit in the section where African Americans sat, but African Americans could not move up and sit in the other seats.鈥� she said.

The segregation that defined daily life in Alexandria was a complex and deeply ingrained system. It influenced every aspect of life, from education and jobs to housing and transportation. For African Americans living in the city, this meant navigating a web of rules and restrictions that governed their lives back then.

鈥淵ou get used to what it is. Now, how do you like it? It’s not fun. You don’t like it, but there’s little that you can do, until there comes a time when you said, “Enough is enough,鈥� said Patterson.

鈥淪egregation was a horrible thing, and you can still see the impact of segregation in neighborhoods or enclaves that are still primarily African American,鈥� said Davis.

Significant milestones marked the fight for racial justice in Alexandria. The historic 1939 sit-in at the segregated Alexandria Library, one of the earliest of its kind in the country, challenged racial segregation in public spaces and set the ground for ongoing civil rights advocacy in the city.

In recent years, initiatives like “ALL Alexandria” have sought to address systemic disparities in areas such as housing, education, and economic opportunity.

These initiatives coincide with a historical analysis of restrictive covenants and zoning policies in Alexandria. A titled, The History of Restrictive Covenants and Land Use Zoning in Alexandria, found detailed evidence on how policies like redlining, racial covenants, and urban renewal directly impacted Black communities in Alexandria. 

These policies systematically restricted black people’s ability to build generational wealth. For example, early 20th-century racial covenants in neighborhoods like Rosemont explicitly prohibited property ownership by anyone who wasn鈥檛 white. These restrictions were extended to areas like George Washington Park and Uptown, reinforcing segregated housing patterns into the mid-20th century.

鈥淚 really commend the city for kind of taking a hard look in the mirror at what their past policies have contributed to the racial wealth gap and inequities,鈥� said Jill Norcross, executive director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance.

鈥淭o be honest with you, just recognizing and doing the research on where those existed is really eye opening,鈥� Norcross said.

鈥淲e have to really take a look at past practices and to make the connection for current residents about this is how we got here, and we have to kind of blame ourselves.鈥�

Another study included redlining maps created in the 1930s classified Black neighborhoods as high risk for loans, which led to disinvestment and hindered home ownership. In later decades, urban renewal projects displaced black communities causing further disruption to community stability and economic growth鈥�.

鈥淚n Virginia, we can’t necessarily pass an inclusionary zoning policy. We can’t require a developer to put in affordable housing. Instead, we have to offer incentives for them to do that, or we have to offer voluntary programs,鈥� said Gaskins

These challenges are compounded by the immediate need for shelter. As of August 2024, Alexandria’s emergency shelter waitlist includes 103 individuals and 40 families, including 71 children, underscoring the pressing demand for innovative solutions.

鈥淚 want people to see Alexandria as an example, not just of how we bring people to the table, because diversity is only one piece but of how we change the systems and structures that make it difficult for other perspectives, cultures, and people to engage and be part of decision making,鈥� said Gaskins.

Gaskins upcoming inauguration has sparked both optimism and debate.

鈥淚 think it’s a very exciting time that we have another strong leader who will be inaugurated and will become our mayor in January. So, we’re all excited about that, and I think the possibilities are endless,鈥� said Davis.

鈥淥f course there will always be challenges, but I’m sure she’s going to face those head on, and we’re looking forward to seeing the work that she does with the city.鈥�

For some residents, her election signals a turning point, with hopes for transformative policies to tackle long-standing inequities, particularly in housing.

Housing prices are too expensive, said Andniello Rodriguez, a 20-year resident of Alexandria.

鈥淚 hope the new mayor will look out for marginalized people like us,鈥� he said.

Rodriguez, currently rents a three-bedroom apartment for over $2,000 a month, he said despite working two cleaning shifts and his wife taking on part-time cleaning jobs, the couple struggle to meet their family鈥檚 basic needs.

 Yet, not everyone views Gaskin’s election as a big shift in addressing systemic challenges.

鈥淗aving a black mayor is not as significant. It’s not as earth shaking,鈥� said Patterson.

Patterson, who currently works as an educator at the Alexandria Black History Museum, said that the city works to push forward for a 鈥渄iverse climate鈥� while she refrains from using terms like equal rights.

鈥淚 don’t want to say equal rights, because that’s not what it is, to make sure that the climate of the city is diverse. Yeah, but is it equal? Nothing is ever equal, even in the best of times,鈥� she said.

Patterson described equality as ensuring that everyone has fair opportunities, emphasizing that “equalism” is about making sure those opportunities are not restricted or diminished for anyone.

鈥淲hen they say equal you want to make sure that everybody has the opportunity, and that the opportunity is not cut short. That’s what equal is,鈥� Patterson said.

The post Has Alexandria reconciled with its past? Gaskins鈥� historic election sparks reflection鈥� first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

鈥淲hen I think about the future, our city is now home to hundreds of different ethnic nationalities, cultures and backgrounds, and so the work ahead for us is really figuring out how we integrate new communities into our city and make sure their perspectives, are a part of shaping our future moving forward,鈥� Gaskins told 最新蜜桃影像. 

The housing crisis has become an inescapable reality for many who are struggling for a place to call home. Once a haven for people seeking proximity to Washington, D.C., Alexandria is now struggling with skyrocketing rents, insufficient affordable housing, and the displacement of middle- and low-income residents.  

鈥淲e have not been keeping up with our housing goals, especially when it’s regarding building housing for people with incomes that are below the low to moderate income families,鈥� said Jill Norcross, executive director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance. 

Many are hopeful yet wary that Gaskins, backed by a diverse city council, will be able to navigate a future where equitable solutions are urgently needed. 

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 fantastic! As a council member, Mayor Gaskins demonstrated strong support for equity issues, including housing,鈥� said Norcross. 

However, Norcross said that having a new person in leadership doesn鈥檛 automatically resolve long standing challenges.  

鈥淢ayor Gaskins will face similar hurdles to previous mayors and council members, particularly in balancing budgets and managing limited resources,鈥� she said. 

Alexandria is committed to the Regional Fair Housing Plan set by the . , The plan focuses on addressing the housing crisis on a regional level. Alexandria has set ambitious goals in line with this plan, aiming to expand housing production while taking into consideration equity and inclusion. 

Despite these commitments, the city has struggled to meet production targets. Key obstacles include exclusionary zoning, limited land availability, high development costs, and challenges in securing funding. 

鈥淚 think it’s, primarily, always has been, it might always be like a resource issue, right? There’s not enough dollars to meet the needs, the housing needs for all,鈥� said Norcross. 

The Alexandria City Council has recently adopted to address housing issues, particularly tenant displacement. The plan includes provisions for relocation support.  

Focusing on the west side of Alexandria, particularly west of I-395, Gaskins said she advocated for the to include tenant relocation support, in addition to pushing for more resources toward preserving existing affordable housing to maintain stability for current residents. 

鈥淚 think, for me, when I think about where I really want to focus, there’s always three legs to the stool. The first leg is the units we produce and trying to produce new units at deeper affordability levels. The second is preservation.  And then the third part is really tenant protections,鈥� said Gaskins 

The is another multi-year initiative that aims to address the city鈥檚 housing challenges. The plan outlines strategies to increase housing affordability including inclusionary zoning policies and accessory dwelling units in addition to educating the community about the role of affordable housing in supporting Alexandria鈥檚 social and economic life. 

Although these plans are in place, residents in Alexandria’s vulnerable neighborhoods feel underserved when it comes to affordable housing, particularly in terms of adequate space and hygiene standards. 

For Monci Herrera, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Arlandria neighborhood with her single mother and two siblings, this reality hits home. Despite her mother working as a caregiver and managing to pay $1,500 a month, the challenges of limited space and basic living conditions remain a daily struggle. 

“Rent is going high everywhere, so I think we鈥檙e good how we are now, but we had to do some renovation out of pocket,鈥� said Herrera. 

She said she even keeps cats to fend off persistent rats, a common issue plaguing many residents, including her neighbor, Michelle Coberro 

鈥淚 think nobody deserves to live in housing. Just for housing sake. We want housing that is high quality, that promotes people’s health and well-being, and so making sure we’re putting in resources to help keep up these properties,鈥� said Gaskins 

For Coberro鈥檚 family, the situation is even more challenging. With five family members, they had to rent two apartments, breaking through a wall to create a livable space. The combined rent of nearly $2,000 is split between her single mother and uncle.  

鈥淲e paid for the renovation, and we now pay extra in rent. But we did what we had to do to have enough room for everyone,鈥� said Coberro. 

Arlandria neighborhood is included in the city’s redevelopment plans focused on the west side of I-395. The neighborhood, which has a large Spanish-speaking population, has been in the spotlight due to the pressing need for not only affordable but also quality living housing. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e had plans on moving out, but in the meantime my mom is a single mom, and she can’t do everything on her own,鈥� said Harrera. 鈥淪o far for now, this is all we could probably afford.鈥� 

Gaskins reflected on her personal experiences growing up with a single mother who faced financial hardships. 

鈥淭here were many times where we just struggled to make ends meet, and that looked like nights when there was no food in the fridge, that looked like the eviction notice on the door when coming home from school when the lights being shut off,鈥� she said 

Gaskins said her upbringing shaped her commitment to addressing inequality and improving support for vulnerable families.  

鈥淎ll of my leadership is really a reflection of trying to make sure that no other child or no other family has to deal with those challenges,鈥� she said. 

The post New leadership, old problem: Alexandria鈥檚 persistent housing crisis tests first black female mayor, new city council first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

As the area鈥檚 Arab American population continues to grow and evolve, so too does its political identity that is shaped by a deep-rooted call for representation, cultural understanding, and security. Community members say this evolving voice seeks not only a place in the political discourse but also an active role in shaping the nation鈥檚 future. 

The growing political influence of Arab Americans was evident in their shift toward Trump in the 2024 election, reflecting a change in priorities and allegiances. Dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership prompted many within the community to reevaluate their political leanings. 

Khadija El Mouden, a Moroccan American and catering specialist at a French restaurant in Falls Church, Va., embodies the shifting political tides within her community. For years, she said she consistently supported Democrats, but the 2024 election marked a turning point. 

“My vote was always for Democrats, but not anymore,” she said, reflecting on her decision to turn to Trump this time around.  

El Mouden’s shift was driven by a blend of personal and cultural priorities, including her belief that the economy thrived under Trump鈥檚 leadership. 

鈥淭he economy was better when Trump was president, I can鈥檛 stand another term under these conditions,鈥� she said.  

鈥淲e鈥檝e tried the Democrats, and they haven鈥檛 listened. It鈥檚 time to give someone else a chance.鈥� 

Economic concerns were at the forefront of Arab American voters鈥� minds. Liam Berry, a data analyst with the Arab American Institute, said that more than 81% of respondents cited the economic burden as the key issue in a recent of 500 Arab American registered voters by the Arab American Institute.  

 A central message that resonated with Arab American voters was the Trump campaign’s emphasis on economic recovery and security, offering practical solutions to address the immediate challenges many across the community were facing. 

鈥淚 won鈥檛 have to pay tax on tips; that makes me happy,鈥� said Sam M., a Tunisian emigrant who recently moved to Washington. Sam was not comfortable sharing his full name.  

Sam works at a Shawarma restaurant, and he said he mainly relies on tips to make ends meet.  For him, supporting Donald Trump in the recent election was a practical choice.  

鈥淗e is the best for average workers like me,鈥� he said. 

Sam said Trump鈥檚 economic promises resonated deeply, adding that he finally felt heard. 

鈥淚 like that he listens to the Arab community. Maybe he鈥檒l build a new era of understanding with us,鈥� he said. 

Similarly, Mohammed Ezzahir, who runs a security business in Northern Virginia, echoed sentiments about Trump鈥檚 economic leadership and praised him for creating a stronger economy during his term.  

鈥淗e is a businessman, he knows how to roll the wheel,鈥� he said.

Ezzahir also praised Donald Trump for not declaring any wars during his term, therefore he said he believe Trump will restore peace and stability in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

鈥淭here was no war when he was in office, I think he proved he is not a war person unlike the other party. Now we鈥檙e on the brink of World War III,鈥� he said. 

While Trump鈥檚 messaging resonated with some, there remains skepticism about his past policies, particularly those targeting Arabs, Muslims, and immigrants, as well as doubts about his ability to deliver lasting solutions. 

鈥淭rump鈥檚 promises often feel like empty gestures, not genuine commitments,鈥� said Hammad Elbedour, a Palestinian American computer science professor at George Washington University. 

Elbedour said that he perceived his community support for Trump with much disappointment.  

鈥淯nfortunately, we’re divided, and Trump is good at making promises. He gave them what they wanted to hear. He showed that he cares but I don’t trust him or anything he said just like any other politician,鈥� he said. 

One of Elbedour鈥檚 primary concerns was Trump鈥檚 decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, as such actions embolden settlement expansions and diminish hopes for a fair resolution for Palestinians.

鈥淚t legitimized Israel鈥檚 claim over the city and undermined Palestinian sovereignty,鈥� he said. 

Many Arab Americans expressed criticism of the Biden administration鈥檚 failure to push for a ceasefire in the long ongoing Middle Eastern war, feeling that diplomatic efforts were insufficient to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon. On the other hand, Trump鈥檚 promises to end the war appealed to some voters, even as skepticism remained about his true intentions and alignment with Israeli policies. 

 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 a day that Trump gives a thought to the Palestinian cause in any other way than through Israel’s lens,鈥� said Berry. 

In addition to economic challenges, and foreign policy, a segment of conservative Arab Americans in the DMV area felt that their family values and cultural concerns were being overlooked by the broader Democratic coalition.  

Trump鈥檚 promises including restricting federal funds for gender-affirming care, banning transgender surgeries for minors, and prohibiting schools from promoting the idea of gender transitions draw many supporters among the community who are concerned about these issues. 

鈥淚鈥檓 worried about my kids, they鈥檙e being introduced to things like sexuality at a very young age. This doesn鈥檛 align with our culture or values,鈥� said Kadir Mari, an Ethiopian American who has lived in D.C for 14 years. 

Mari is a father of three young children, including a six-year-old kindergartner he said he decided to homeschool. He said that while he doesn’t have much political knowledge, he couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of his children being exposed to discussions about sexuality at an early age in school.  

This concern led him to make the decision to homeschool as a way to shield his children from what he described as premature exposure to sensitive topics. 

This issue has been significant enough for him and many within the Arab community in the DMV area to consider Donald Trump as an alternative in the recent election. 

“I鈥檓 afraid of decisions being made in schools without my consent or me being in the loop, especially regarding gender changes,” said El Mouden. 

With one child in elementary school and another in high school, El Mouden emphasized her desire to be fully informed about any steps her children take, especially while they are still under her responsibility as minors. She said parental awareness and involvement are essential in guiding her children through important life decisions. 

For some of these Trump supporters, the decision to support him was more about dissatisfaction with the Democrats than genuine support for his platform. Skepticism about his past policies and motives persisted among many within the community who couldn鈥檛 find comfort in either major party.  

 Fatin Mojahid, an American Egyptian nursing student, voted for a third-party candidate, citing a deep distrust of both Trump and the Democrats. 

 She said that neither major party aligned with her values, prompting her to look for alternatives during the election. 

“There is no way I vote for Trump, he sparked discrimination against immigrants and Muslims in 2016. I can鈥檛 forget that, and I can鈥檛 trust him,” she said. 

The post Complex political identity: Diverse drivers behind Arab American support for Trump in the DMV first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

The ruling upheld Gov. Glenn Youngkin鈥檚鈥�r allowing the removal of over 1,600 voters, many flagged due to outdated Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records. The decision overturns a lower federal court ruling that previously found the purge illegal.

鈥淚 think it was politically motivated,鈥� said Monica S., who came today to the DMV in Prince William County to vote. She declined to offer her full surname.

鈥淚t’s always wrong to purge voters in the voting rolls. Many of the people who were purged were American citizens, and it is wrong to try to prevent people from being able to vote,鈥� she said.

However, Deborah Baxter, a representative of the Republican Women of Prince William, said that she supports Youngkin’s actions and that the Supreme Court’s ruling is 鈥渃ommon sense.鈥�

“These were people that self-identified as not eligible to vote. So he was following the law, something that was enacted under a previous Democratic governor,” Baxter said.

鈥淪o, the Supreme Court got it right. It’s common sense. We need to really start using common sense,” she said.

Ryan Snow, a counsel for the Voting Rights Project of the Lawyers鈥� Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, disagreed.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lie,鈥� Snow said. 鈥淭here’s no evidence that non-citizens are voting at all in Virginia at least 20 years,鈥� he added.

Some critics decried the court for not providing a rationale for its ruling, which is typical in emergency appeals.

鈥淭he Supreme Court then overturned that without even bothering to explain their reasoning, and that is definitely very frustrating,鈥� said Anna Dorman, a counsel   focused on combating anti-democratic disinformation at Protect Democracy.

Dorman said the ruling was extremely disappointing as well as frustrating for the voters in Virginia, who, she said, are left confused about the situation and what it means for their ability to vote.

鈥淚 think that among the group of people who were purged, there’s a lot of fear, but it generalized sense within the community, more broadly, that voting is not something that they are welcome to participate in Virginia, that’s what makes me sad. It makes me angry,鈥� said Dorman.

Snow said that the court used its so-called shadow docket for issuing impactful rulings without public reasoning, casting doubt on the credibility and inclusivity of the electoral process.

鈥淚t’s dangerous and it’s damaging to the credibility of the court,鈥� he said.

Youngkin鈥痵aid earlier this week on a鈥痶hat he is 鈥減leased by the Supreme Court鈥檚 order,鈥� adding that it鈥檚 a 鈥渧ictory for commonsense and election fairness.鈥� As for any improperly removed voters, he said they can still vote in the election as Virginia has same-day registration.

The controversy centers around the timing and rationale of the voter roll purge. Under the National Voter Registration Act, systematic maintenance of voter rolls is prohibited within 90 days leading up to an election.

鈥淭his is a clear violation,鈥� said Snow.

鈥�淭his was a clearly illegal purge, you cannot engage in systematic risk maintenance, essentially list maintenance, or removing people from the rolls, or removing people without doing individualized investigations into their eligibility.鈥�

While Virginia does provide same-day registration, many activists see the voter roll purge disproportionately impacting immigrant communities and first-time voters and creating new barriers to participation instead of removing potentially existing ones.

Tram Nguyen, co-executive director of New Virginia Majority, said these are immigrants in this country who came from different backgrounds, and the message that this ruling sends to them is, “hey, you don’t belong here.”

Tram said she was disappointed with the ruling since it will make it more difficult for voters to participate rather than fostering a welcoming environment for all voters, this decision creates barriers that could dissuade individuals from exercising their right to vote.

鈥淥ne of the most beautiful aspects of America is the right to vote,鈥� she said.

Activists and voter rights advocates told the Wash that they are mobilizing to educate individuals about their rights and the voting process to ensure that the message of inclusive participation resonates throughout the community in light of recent legal decisions that have created confusion regarding voter eligibility.

鈥淭here’s a test on their citizenship. So, I want people to know if they were purged, it sucks. It’s unfair, but they can vote, and they should vote,鈥� said Dorman

The post Voter outrage, concern sparked by US Supreme Court鈥檚 endorsement of Virginia鈥檚 voter purge first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Organized by the , the event took place in Dupont Circle Park, solidifying its place as a cherished annual tradition.

鈥淓very event comes with new challenges, but this one’s just on a bit of a bigger scale than what we normally do. But we’re really happy with the way it turned out today,鈥� said Jason Goldman, the marketing and events manager at the Dupont Circle bid.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., festivalgoers immersed themselves in a vibrant array of activities, including live bluegrass performances, pumpkin painting, and costume contests.

Live music filled the air, creating an infectious atmosphere that encouraged many to hit the dance floor and celebrate together.

Among the performers were Shannon Leigh and the Good Bygones, returning for their third consecutive year. With a desire to “spread this kind of music,” the band sought to bring the community together through their melodies.

鈥淭his is a great opportunity, we hopefully have people here that never really heard it, and I hope that our music makes them happy,鈥� said Shannon Leigh, a member of a bluegrass band.

To Leigh, music acts as a bridge that links people to each other as a part of something.

Celebrating something people commonly love or, at least, enjoy is a way to bring everyone together, she said.

Alongside the music and to maintain the Halloween vibe, this year鈥檚 festival introduced three costume contests: one for adults, one for kids, and one for pets.

Participants were invited to wear their favorite costumes for a chance to win a prize for best costume, awarded to the top three of each category.

鈥淲e used to do a fall event and a Halloween event normally, and we thought, why not combine it and just pool our resources to make one really big event this year,鈥� said Goldman.

Incorporating Halloween-themed activities into this year鈥檚 fall festival was a strategic decision aimed at boosting community engagement, according to the organizing team.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really cute. I liked the free pumpkins, the live music is really nice, like a perfect weekend,鈥� said Adalia Olmos, who recently moved to D.C

Olmos came to the festival for the first time with a friend and said she enjoyed painting a ghost face on her pumpkin. To her, the festival really helps with community engagement.

鈥淭his kind of event just makes everyone feel a whole lot more comfortable with each other and like there’s a bigger sense of community, so we care for each other more,鈥� Olmos said.

Eric Lee attended the festival for the first time and was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere. As he participated in the pumpkin painting, Lee said he felt a sense of community that was both 鈥渨elcoming and entertaining.鈥�

 “The music is really good and brings everyone together,” he said.

“Painting pumpkins is such a creative way to connect and have fun! I鈥檓 not from D.C. but I will come back next year,” Lee said.

The festival aspires to grow into a cherished annual tradition, strengthening local community bonds and bringing people closer. Yet, as a nonprofit, juggling 鈥渂udget constraints鈥� adds a unique layer of challenge to the vision.

鈥淲e’re a nonprofit, so we work within budget constraints, but I hope that we can do this every year and make people remember it,鈥� said Goldman.

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