On September 23, with the rain coming down and the winds blowing, scores of people in the Wilderness Kids community came together to listen, dance, and enjoy the music of six great Alexandria-based bands at Burgundy Farm Country Day School at our inaugural Wilderness Kids Music Festival. Along the way, we raised over $14,000 that will be put to getting more teenagers outside more often in 2023 and 2024.
Thanks to all who made it out in the stormy weather. And special thanks to our sponsors: Alexandria Toyota, Baker Botts, LLP, James Crowe/Compass Realty, Jen Walker Team, Latham & Watkins, LLP, Ting Internet, and Simpson Development. Special thanks also to Patagonia, Cafe Pizzaiolo and St. Elmo's Cafe for donating items that four lucky raffle winners took home that day.
Guests to the event enjoyed delicious kebabs and bowls from Supreme Kabob and tasty treats from Ben & Jerry's. Both vendors set up food trucks and kept the Festival well fed all day long.
Those who wished -- and many did! -- had the chance to get tattooed all over and to make friendship bracelets with the help of our students and volunteers. There was also ping-pong, cornhole, giant Jenga and other fun games to be played.
Clockwise from top left (Click to enlarge): Dogwood, featuring Steve Dawson and Martha Beggs, played a mix of originals and covers; Wilderness Kids students Stacey, age 16, tattoos up Wilderness Kids educator, Jasper, while student Paola, age 12, works on her own crafts; photos of Wilderness Kids outings adorn a table along with remarks from all the attendees of the Festival about what they most love to do out in nature; Pink Dog, consisting of current Burgundy Farm 8th grade students opened the day with classic covers like Santeria and Seven Nation Army; Indigo Thursday, comprised of current ACHS students, played an impressive set of originals written by members of the band; Alexandria band Noise in the Basement took us straight into the 80s with hits that got people out and moving on the dance floor.
Finally, special thanks to the many, many volunteers who made the day truly possible. Your work to set up and breakdown the day, to guide our guests in the rain to the event, to tattoo so many kids (temporaray tattoos of course!), and to welcome everyone is so very appreciated.
The success of this event was due in every way to one word: Community. Thanks so much for being a part of it.