The Taste of Old Town North is presented by the Old Town North Community Partnership with support from the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, and Hilco Redevelopment Partners. The Concert is made possible by the support of Ting ALX.
The Taste of Old Town North is a free, family-and pet-friendly event where you can shop at the farmers market, create ‘art in the park,’ taste gourmet dishes and wines from local restaurants and businesses, taste cider from Lost Boy Cider, participate in instructor-led wellness demos and listen to music from two local bands. Participating restaurants include Jula’s on the Potomac, St. Elmo’s, Yunnan by Potomac, and Hank’s Oyster Bar.
The Taste will feature a reading by City of Alexandria Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam of the three winning haiku from the Haiku Project. Visitors to the Taste can also learn more about the great work of ALIVE!, a local non-profit dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger and helping neighbors in need.
Located next to the Potomac River waterfront, Alexandria’s Old Town North is a walkable, vibrant and diverse community with a variety of businesses, restaurants, and residential neighborhoods.
“The Taste of Old Town North, like the neighborhood where it happens, has something for everyone,” says Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. “It truly represents the best of Alexandria. I’m excited to kick off the event again this year and see how our community and visitors to Alexandria come together to enjoy our restaurants, people, local arts and businesses.”
Two local bands, Sally and the Mander, and New Breed Soul Consortium (formerly Three ManSoul Machine) will perform beginning at 5:00 pm.
On street parking is available in the Old Town North neighborhood or the public parking lot located at 625 North Washington Street.
* The rain date for the Taste of Old Town North is September 28, 4:00 – 8:00 pm.
“We love being part of Taste of Old Town North each year as it gives us a chance to support the community in a unique and fun way.” said Jula Coggins, Café 44
“It’s the nature of Hank’s Oyster Bar to become part of any community we establish ourselves in,” said Luis E. Garcia-Cruz, general manager of Hank’s Oyster Bar, Old Town Alexandria. “As a neighbor of Old Town for over 15 years, we look forward to participating in the Taste of Old Town North this year and to continue sharing our food and service with our neighbors.”
“What I love most about Old Town North is the people and their unwavering commitment to celebrating and building deep community connections,” said Alyia Gaskins, councilmember, Alexandria City Council. “From the farmers market to the emerging art and restaurant scene, I am amazed by this neighborhood’s passion for creating places and spaces that are fun, unique and contribute to people’s happiness and wellbeing.”
“At Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP), we believe building inclusive, sustainable communities is about more than developing physical buildings; it’s about being engaged partners and good neighbors,” said Melissa Schrock, executive vice president, mixed use development HRP. “We are privileged to have the opportunity to transform this extraordinary site into a vibrant and sustainable space that will serve Old Town North for decades to come, and are proud to support the work of Old Town North Community Partnership to bring this community together.”
Many thanks to all who joined the Annual Taste of Old Town North on September 29th!
Much fun was had by all! Our apologies to the Old Town North Alliance, Local Motion, Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society, and Expert Handyman for omitting their names in our thanks to supporters of the Taste. The fun continues through the month of October with special events and action activities for all ages and interests.
“We love being part of Taste of Old Town North each year as it gives us a chance to support the community in a unique and fun way.”
~ Jula Coggins, Café 44
Participating local businesses, restaurants and not for profits include
Café 44 is a stylish American eatery situated along the Waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. They cater to a local crowd, attracting those who appreciate a spectacular view, quality food, great wine and craft cocktails. Whether you are a regular or a first-time guest, you are received with warmth and enthusiasm.
Hank’s Oyster Bar, named after our chef and restaurateur’s father Hank Leeds, has been serving up the freshest and widest selection of East and West coast oysters, local coastal favorites, and New England beach fare classics to locals and visitors alike since 2005.
Come try our award winning raw bar options like the fully loaded Seafood Plateau or tuck into some fan favorite like our Maine style lobster roll, fried oyster po’boy, crab cake platter, and molasses braised short ribs. AND…don’t forget the oysters including the Salty Wolfe: our proprietary oyster grown in the lower Chesapeake Bay!
The vendors and artisans of the Old Town North Thursday and Sunday Farmers and Artisans Markets
Sponsors include
2023-2024
Annual Event Season Sponsor
Platinum Level Sponsor | $1500
- TingALX
Gold Level Sponsor | $1000
- 1199 North Fairfax
Silver Level Sponsor | $750
- Canal Center
- MRE Properties
- The Old Town North Alliance
Community Supporter| $200
- AlphaGraphics
- Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society
- River’s Edge Yoga
Friend | $100
- Mayweather Boxing + Fitness – Old Town West
- Skopp Chiropractic
Business Member | $75
- Studio 805
"Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) is proud to support the Old Town North Community Partnership and looks forward to helping showcase what this area has to offer with the Taste of Old Town North. We are honored to work with OTNCP and its initiatives that enrich the Old Town community and reflect our work prioritizing sustainability and strengthening communities.
Working with partners like OTNCP that share the same values and mission to create an area where people can live, work, and play is critical as we continue our transformation of the Potomac River Generating Station site. We are excited to reintegrate the once underutilized lot into a vibrant and walkable hub with businesses, housing, thousands of jobs, and open waterfront access that all community members can enjoy.”
~ Melissa Schrock, Executive Vice President, Mixed Use Development
Media
Contact
Margaret Townsend
571-218-2161
info@oldtownnorth.org
Press Release
- September 8, 2023 | The Taste of Old Town North presents local flavors, music, art of unique Alexandria community.
- September 19, 2022 | The Taste is Back in Alexandria’s Old Town North Neighborhood. Join this local community for an evening of food and music.
- Patch | Taste of Old Town North
- Art League’s Hands-on Art for Kids! at Taste of Old Town North
- Alexandria Living Magazine | Taste of Old Town North
- Visit Alexandria | Taste of Old Town North
Taste of Old Town North Sponsorship Levels
Premium Annual Event Season Sponsor | $3000
- Top Tier Event Signage for all events hosted by the Old Town North Communities Partnership from September 2023 – September 2024
Events will include The Annual Taste of Old Town North, Dogtoberfest, Random Harvest and the Food and Friends Slice of Life Campaign, the December Holiday Festival, and Holiday Markets, Weekly Farmers Markets, and Summer Music at the Market Concert Series - One-year promotion on the OTNCP Homepage
- One-year promotion in the OTNCP weekly community email campaigns
- One-year promotion in press releases as an annual event season sponsor
- One-year top tier listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Platinum Level Sponsor | $1500
- 2nd Tier Promotion on Taste Event Signage
- Four-month promotion on OTNCP Homepage
- Fourmonth promotion in weekly OTNCP community email campaigns
- Listing in Press Releases as a sponsor of the Taste of Old Town North
- One-year – 2nd Tier Promotional Listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Gold Level Sponsor | $1000
- 3rd Tier Promotion on Taste of Old Town North Event Signage
- Three-month promotion on OTNCP Homepage
- Three-month promotion in weekly OTNCP Community email campaigns
- Listing in Press Releases as a sponsor of the Taste of Old Town North
- One-year – 3rd Tier Promotional Listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Silver Level Sponsor | $750
- 4th Tier Promotion on Taste of Old Town North Signage
- One-month promotion on OTNCP Homepage
- One-month promotion in weekly OTNCP Community Email Campaigns
- Listing in Press Releases as a sponsor of the Old Town North Community Partnership
- One-year – 4th Tier listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Community Supporter| $200
- Promotion on Taste of Old Town North Signage
- One-month promotion on OTNCP Homepage
- One-month promotion in weekly OTNCP Community emails
- Listing in Press Releases as a Community Supporter of the Taste of Old Town North
- One-year Supporter listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Friend | $100
- One-month Promotion on the OTNCP Homepage
- One- year Friend listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Business Member | $75
- One-year listing in the Old Town North Business Community Directory
- Print and online versions
Press Release
April 13, 2021 – Old Town North Community
The Reimagined Taste of Old Town North, a two-month stroll through the Neighborhood begins April 21st and continues through June 21st
September 12, 2019 – The Zebra
Second Annual Taste of Old Town North Will Celebrate Local Music, Restaurants, and the Arts on September 19
September 6, 2019 – DRPR Communications, LLC
Second Annual Taste of Old Town North Will Celebrate Local Music, Restaurants, and the Arts on September 19