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Bill

HJ 578

Commending Art on the Avenue.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and 1 co-sponsor

General Assembly commends Art on the Avenue for its 30th anniversary, recognizing its volunteer-driven, multicultural festival’s positive cultural impact on Alexandria’s Del Ray.

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ578ER)
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Bill Summary · HJ 578

HJ578 Summary — Commending Art on the Avenue

Purpose and Scope

  • HJ578 is a House Joint Resolution that Expresses commendation from the General Assembly to Art on the Avenue, a regional multicultural arts and music festival in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.
  • The resolution commemorates the festival on the occasion of its 30th anniversary in 2025 and recognizes its contributions to the cultural life of Alexandria.

Key Provisions

  • The resolution states that Art on the Avenue has celebrated community diversity, supported local artists, and provided family-friendly entertainment for nearly 30 years.
  • It notes that the event is typically held on Mt. Vernon Avenue each first Saturday in October, is grassroots and volunteer-run, and relies on support from local businesses and organizations.
  • It highlights the festival’s scale: hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, four stages of live music, children’s activity areas, and a wide range of food and baked goods; attendance exceeds 50,000 annually.
  • It underscores the opportunity for attendees to meet and learn from local artists and purchase a diverse array of works (e.g., painting, photography, crafts, 3-D printed items, wood, leather, glass, etc.).
  • The resolution cites a record in 2024 (the 29th annual event) with more than 600 artists applying to participate and notes multiple accolades, including being voted a top arts event in Northern Virginia by Virginia Living magazine readers.
  • The formal action: the General Assembly commends Art on the Avenue on its 30th anniversary and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and present a copy of the resolution to Art on the Avenue.

Background and Significance

  • Location and tradition: Del Ray, Alexandria; Mt. Vernon Avenue; first Saturday in October; longstanding community tradition.
  • Community impact: supports local artists and craftspeople, engages tens of thousands of attendees, and enriches Alexandria’s cultural life.

Procedural History and Status

  • Introduced: January 31, 2025.
  • House action: Engrossed February 10, 2025; agreed to by the House by voice vote on February 10, 2025.
  • Senate action: Agreed to by the Senate by voice vote on February 13, 2025.
  • Enrolled: Final form as passed by both chambers (HJ578ER) on March 20, 2025.
  • Patronage: Patrons in the House—Bennett-Parker; Senate sponsor—Senator Ebbin.

Affected Parties

  • Art on the Avenue organizers and volunteers.
  • Local artists and vendors participating in the festival.
  • Attendees and residents of Alexandria and the Del Ray community.
  • The Clerk of the House, who is directed to prepare and present the commemorative copy.

Nature and Impact

  • This is a ceremonial, non-binding resolution; it does not create new laws or funding.
  • Purpose is symbolic recognition of the festival’s longstanding cultural and community contributions and its milestone 30th anniversary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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