anniversary

Arlington Farmer’s Market Celebrating 30th Anniversary

By ARLnow.com

Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the Arlington’s Farmers Market, and the county has some special events planned to celebrate.

Shortly after the market opens at 8:00 a.m, county board member Mary Hynes will host a ceremony honoring the founders of the market.

There will also be giveaways, kids’ activities, gardening demonstrations, and appearances by local chefs, who will be sharing cooking tips.

In the wake of several farmers market vendors being shut down by health inspectors two weeks ago, safety-minded county officials will also be distributing flyers to market customers and vendors.

The content of those flyers, after the jump.

Flickr pool photo by Chris Rief.

(more…)

To Do Tonight: Columbia Pike Birthday Bash

By ARLnow.com

On this day 200 years ago, congress chartered the Columbia Turnpike Company, which built the road that would eventually become the modern-day Columbia Pike.

To celebrate the Pike’s bicentennial, the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization is holding a birthday bash at The Salsa Room (2619 Columbia Pike), starting at 6:00 tonight.

The free event will feature speakers, a cake cutting and a cash bar. Attendees are asked to RSVP online.

Columbia Pike Prepares for Bicentennial

By ARLnow.com

Columbia Pike’s 200th anniversary is less than two weeks away, and Pike leaders are planning a birthday bash to mark the occasion.

The Columbia Turnpike Company, which built the Pike, was chartered by congress on April 12, 1810, when Arlington was still part of the District of Columbia. The Pike has since been a thoroughfare for soldiers during the Civil War, the site of a freedman’s village, and a location for a World War II prisoner-of-war camp (some of the German soldiers held there helped to repave the Pike at one point).

On Monday, April 12, between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m., the Pike will celebrate its history at the Salsa Room (2619 Columbia Pike). The free event, which is open to the public (RSVP here), will feature speakers, a birthday cake and a cash bar. Speakers include Arlington historian Sara Collins, county board vice-chairman Chris Zimmerman, and Dr. Talmadge Williams of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.

“It’s an exciting time,” says Pamela Holcomb, managing director for the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization. “People who are living here might not realize just how rich the Pike’s history is.”

There will be other bicentennial events throughout the year, Holcomb said. Also expect to see “Pike 200” banners popping up on street lights along the Pike soon.

Photo courtesy of CPRO.