Summer has finally arrived! The kids are out of school, and neighbors are reconnecting at their local swimming pools, having barbeques with friends, or simply enjoying themselves outdoors. A sense of community is growing even stronger throughout the Braddock District. As the Braddock District Supervisor, and a Kings Park resident who loves community involvement and neighborhood events, I wanted to make you aware of several gatherings that are happening this summer.
For starters, Braddock Nights, a district favorite, begins on July 7 at both Lake Accotink and Rutherford Parks. These wonderful Friday night concerts will be held until Aug. 18 and include music from different genres including jazz, blues, swing, pop, and Afro-Cuban groups. Come out and unwind on Friday nights with your family, bring a picnic dinner and a blanket and enjoy the music from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. A full schedule can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/braddocknights.htm.
If that’s not enough entertainment for you, how about coming to the Braddock District Battle of the Bands at Lakeside Park/Royal Lake (5216 Pommeroy Drive) on Sunday, July 16, from 3-8 p.m. We’ll have bands from across the District and County showcasing their talents. You, the audience, are the judges. The prize is an opportunity for a contract to play at one of the Braddock Nights concerts in 2018. This event is a great way to support youth music groups, as well as other bands in our area. Come join your neighbors for music, food trucks, and fun!
Finally, if you enjoy friendly neighborhood gatherings and want to meet your local law enforcement officers and find out more about community-policing, National Night Out is for you! National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and neighborhoods across the County will hold block parties and other community-focused events. National Night Out is a campaign to build trust between the community and police through these gatherings. If your community is not planning an event, consider putting one together. Please let our office know (at 703-425-9300) if you are holding an event, and I will try to stop by with our district police captain or lieutenant.
Obviously, the Braddock District has many fun events this summer, and there are more than enough ways to become engaged in your neighborhood. I encourage you to take full advantage of them. Each one of these events is an opportunity to come out, reconnect with neighbors, and perhaps meet some new ones. Remember — your community is only as strong as the people in it, and community-focused events are great ways to strengthen that bond.