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About 3,000 Mount Vernon residents packed the Mount Vernon Government Center on June 6 for Supervisor Dan Storck’s Summer Palooza, despite temperatures above 90 degrees and a heat index near 95.
The sprawling festival featured 50 vendors and attractions ranging from goats and police drones to a sewage vacuum truck and a seven-seat Lexus. Visitors could seek legal advice, learn about packing services, meet community groups and choose among hot dogs, samosas and other dishes.
Lines formed for free lunches provided by South County Church and restaurants including Della J’s, Haymi’s Barbeque, Honeygrow and Dishes of India. Children bounced inside an inflatable playhouse.
Local groups showcase their work
Community organizations used the festival to introduce residents to their programs. The Mount Vernon-area Lions Club, chartered in 1999, highlighted its vision and hearing screenings.
The English Empowerment Center shared information about free and low-cost English classes available at 12 locations, including the Lorton Community Center and Rising Hope Mission Church. Mathnasium promoted programs intended to help children maintain their math skills during the summer.
Ron Chase, president of the Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum, discussed the museum and the surrounding neighborhood. Founded in 1833, Gum Springs is Fairfax County’s oldest African American community.
Environmental groups also had a prominent presence. Quiet Clean Northern Virginia advocated for a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. At the Friends of Accotink Creek tent, a stuffed frog wore a sign reading, “Give me a break,” while a plastic bag wrapped around its neck illustrated the hazards of discarded waste.
Jan Kamide of Fairfax Tree Stewards encouraged visitors to plant and protect trees. The organization identifies areas with too few trees and helps residents obtain and plant them at minimal cost.
Animals proved especially popular with younger visitors. Children petted docile goats from Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon and colored pictures of birds at the Friends of Dyke Marsh station.
Dogtopia of Alexandria promoted its air-conditioned dog day care and boarding facilities, playrooms and grooming services such as ear cleaning and teeth brushing.
Representatives of Pohanka Automotive Group displayed a Lexus TX 350 valued at between $60,000 and $80,000. The company, founded in 1919, also highlighted its support for Paws of Honor and said it has sponsored 23 retired military and police dogs.
Young artists painted at tables hosted by Arts Fairfax and Mount Vernon Art and Culture, alongside colorful creations made from bottle caps. Cathy Hoseck praised a new bottle-cap mural at Hollin Meadows Elementary School and said students at Bucknell Elementary and West Potomac High School would create murals the following year.
County equipment draws a crowd
Fairfax County agencies brought some of the festival’s largest attractions. Children climbed into the driver’s seat of a recycling truck, while wastewater employees displayed a sewage vacuum truck and its large pipe and hose.
Gulshank Gupta of Fairfax County Wastewater Management reminded visitors that only four things should be flushed: pee, poo, toilet paper and puke.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s drone exhibit was another popular stop. Rafael Orellano explained that the aircraft remain docked on rooftops and ready to launch. He described Fairfax County’s airspace as difficult to navigate because of its many restricted zones.
According to Orellano, drone teams assist with searches for missing people, search-and-rescue operations and foot pursuits. “We watch the guy run and hide in the trash can,” he said. Police use helicopters rather than drones during vehicle pursuits.
Members of the county police SWAT teams discussed their response to high-risk incidents, including acts of violence, active shooters and hostage situations.
During the event, Storck presented a certificate to Shirley Short, calling her a “volunteer extraordinaire.” The retired firefighter began volunteering for the late Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland 20 years ago and continues to assist in the supervisor’s office.
“She gives her heart to every project and has a ‘can-do’ spirit,” Storck said.
Resident Elaine Kolish welcomed the chance for neighbors to connect. “It’s great for the community to come together and learn about many subjects,” she said.
The Highway Legends supplied a steady soundtrack from the stage, playing music by Bruce Springsteen and other artists.
Across the street, an osprey perched on a nest atop a Walt Whitman Middle School ballfield light pole, watching the festival while apparently waiting for its mate to return with a fish.