Thank you to all who came together to create a marvelous Celebration of the Charms of the neighborhood!
The Free Taste of Old Town North on September 21st offered fun for all ages with Art in the Park with Arts on the Horizon, a poetry reading by Alexandria City Poet Laureate of winning haiku from the Haiku Project, shopping with vendors of the Old Town North Thursday and Sunday Markets, sampling wonderful food and drink from Hank’s Oyster Bar, Jula’s on the Potomac, Lost Boy Cider, St. Elmo’s Old Town North and Yunnan by Potomac.
Council member Alyia Gaskins opened the Taste and kicked off the concert with local favorites Sally and the Mander and New Breed Soul Consortium.
Many thanks to Annual Event Season Sponsor Hilco Redevelopment Partners, Music Sponsor TingALX, the Old Town North Alliance, MRE Properties,1199 North Fairfax, the Canal Center, Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society, River’s Edge Yoga, and to all who came out to celebrate with us!
** Free Event **
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 pm
The excitement continues to build!
>> Participating restaurants are:
- Hotel AKA Alexandria’s a.lounge+bar
- Hank’s Oyster Bar
- Jula’on the Potomac
- Mac Miillans Spirit House
- St. Elmo’s Old Town North
- Perfect Pita
- the Royal Restaurant
The Annual Taste of Old Town North in Montgomery Park is Free, Family-Friendly, and Pet-Friendly and offers activities for all ages, shopping with vendors from the Old Town North Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, samplings of menu specialties from participating restaurants, and live music!
We are delighted that Alexandria City Mayor Justin Wilson will open the Annual Taste of Old Town North at 4 pm on Thursday, September 19th, 2024.
The tradition continues! Taste of Old Town North celebrates the food, music, shops, and people of Alexandria neighborhood
Come enjoy the best local food, music and more at the Taste of Old Town North! The Taste will take place Thursday, September 19, 4:00- 8:00 p.m., in Montgomery Park, 901 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA.
The Taste of Old Town North is a free, family-and pet-friendly event featuring an artisans’ market, gourmet restaurant tastings, children’s improv with Alexandria Children’s Theater and other activities for all to enjoy, and music from two local bands. Participating Old Town North restaurants include Jula’s on the Potomac, the Perfect Pita, Hank’s Oyster Bar, MacMillan Spirit House, Hotel AKA Alexandria’s a.lounge+bar, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, and Royal Restaurant.
Alexandria’s Old Town North is a walkable, vibrant and diverse community located next to the Potomac River and seven miles from our nation’s capital. The neighborhood hosts a variety of businesses, restaurants, residences, and parks.
“The Taste of Old Town North is a tradition I look forward to every year,” says Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. “The energy and community spirit this event generates is a joy to be a part of. I applaud all our local restaurants, businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents; along with those who visit Old Town North to experience all we have to offer.”
Two local bands will perform at the Taste of Old Town North. Sally and the Little Ghost will perform from 5:00- 6:00 p.m., followed by the Mod with Joe Herrera from 6:00-7:45 p.m.
Several local non-profit organizations will provide information on their activities, and opportunities to volunteer including the League of Women Voters, Hunger Free Alexandria, Alive!, and Volunteer Alexandria.
Alexandria Children’s Theater will provide children’s activities, including improv.
On street parking is available in the Old Town North neighborhood or public parking located at 625 North Washington Street.
“The Old Town North Alliance is proud to continue its longtime partnership in support of the Taste of Old Town North, a lively community event that provides a wonderful opportunity for residents, local businesses, and visitors to come together and celebrate all that the Old Town North neighborhood has to offer,” says Sarah Almy, Executive Director, Old Town North Alliance.
“HRP Group is proud to once again partner with the Old Town North Community Partnership to support this wonderful event that brings the community together each year,” says Michelle Chang, Vice President of Mixed-Use Development at HRP Group. “As we redevelop the former Potomac River Generating Station, we’re committed to creating a sustainable neighborhood in Old Town North that honors Alexandria’s history while building a vibrant future. Gatherings like the Taste of Old Town North are a perfect reflection of the community spirit that drives our vision forward.“
“I personally believe a successful business in a community should be a successful business for the community.” says Clifton Brown, Assistant General Manager, Hank’s Oyster Bar – Old Town
“The Taste is a wonderful example of the collaborative efforts of the Old
Town North Community Partnership, the Old Town North Alliance ,NOTICe
and other local stakeholders to create a walkable, livable neighborhood with a focus on the arts and community engagement for those who, live work and own businesses in Old Town North.” says Margaret Townsend, President The Old Town North Community Partnership
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
2024-2025
Annual Event Season Sponsor
Platinum Level Sponsor | $750
- Old Town North Alliance
Gold Level Sponsor | $500
- 1199 North Fairfax
- Alexan Florence
- AlphaGraphics
- Canal Center
Silver Level Sponsor | $350
- River’s Edge Yoga
Community Supporter| $100
- Veterinary Emergency Group
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
- August 27, 2024 | The tradition continues! Taste of Old Town North celebrates the food, music, shops, and people of Alexandria neighborhood.
- 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
Annual Event Season Sponsor | $3500
- Top Tier Event Signage for all events hosted by the Old Town North Communities Partnership from September 2024 – September 2025
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 | $750
- 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 | $500
- 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 | $350
- 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| $100
- 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