News

Best of the West Festival Success: Thank You!

June 9, 2026

✨ THANK YOU, WEST END! ✨

 

We are tired but still smiling after yesterday’s incredible Best of the West End Festival! What started three years ago as a small indoor gathering turned into an unforgettable outdoor celebration at Ben Brenman Park Drive.

And yes, we heard you! You all showed up with such a massive appetite that we actually ran out of food before the event ended! We love how much you supported our local participating restaurants, and we are already planning for significantly more food options at our next event.Thank you to Taste of Asia! Because their restaurant is nearby, they were incredibly generous to step up and refill their station multiple times to keep our hungry crowd fed!

An event of this scale wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, local leaders, and amazing partners:

  • City Leadership: A heartfelt thank you to Mayor Alyia Gaskins for her connections and support. We also extend our deepest gratitude to House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, Delegate Kirk McPike, the Alexandria City Council (including Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, Councilman John Taylor Chapman, Councilman Canek Aguirre, Councilman Abdel Elnoubi, and Councilwoman Sandy Marks), City Manager Jim Parajon, and community leader Mindy Lyle for their leadership, presence, and support of the West End.

  • Generator Hero: A special shoutout to Sheriff Sean Casey, who swooped in and personally got our generator running so the microphone and music could keep going!

  • Our Community Rock: A massive thank you to everyone who gave their time, with a special nod to Dayan Worku at Cameron Cafe! Dayan was an absolute rock from start to finish. No matter what challenges arose, he never gave up, kept his cool, and brought a wonderfully positive energy to the team.

  • City & Safety Operations: We thank the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities for their permit and logistical assistance. Our safe and smooth operations are also thanks to the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office for keeping our community safe and helping everything run seamlessly.

Finally, our deepest gratitude goes out to the Cameron Station Community, our WEBA Members & partners, and every single neighbor who came out to connect, celebrate, and support our community. Thank you to our talented musicians, Mike Stango, Natalie Talis, and Wayne Cobb & John and to all the local businesses, nonprofits, and artisans who filled our Community Showcase with the best our neighborhood has to offer.

🥂

Cheers to a stronger, more connected West End! 

The WEBA Festival Team:

–  Mary Ann Burstein, James Lewis, Dayan Worku, & Marco Cooper

 

 

✨

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT ✨

 

  • 1Up MuayThai Academy, Dr. Kaileen Lee
  • Alexandria Aces, Frank Fannon
  • Alexandria Democratic Party
  • ALIVE Alexandria, Michelle Lockwood
  • Art In Every Space, Robin Jordan
  • Artizo: Men’s Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, Cris Dervin Fedalizo
  • Assisted Living Locators, Sean Maxwell
  • At Home in Alexandria, Jamie Ciesla
  • Aurora TeaTime / Viktoria Coffee, Maria Avila
  • Beeliner Diner, Markos Panas
  • BFabricArt, Denise Bentley
  • Burke & Herbert Bank, Shon Kholy & Berhane Beraki
  • CalmConnectWell Self Care Gifts, Heather Jenkins
  • Cameron Cafe, Dayan Worku
  • Cicibeancrafts, Jenna Colbert
  • City of Alexandria – Department of Planning and Zoning, Christian Brandt
  • Corcoran McEnearney Alexandria / Angie Delboy, Realtor®, Shagufta Hasan, Realtor®, Mary Ann Burstein, Realtor®
  • Creative Cauldron, sponsored by Law Office of Mark Werblood
  • D1 Training Alexandria, Tom Fukuda
  • Daniel Horowitz Art, Daniel Horowitz
  • Dina Gorrell, Realtor® – Redfin
  • Easco Bonsai Trees, Xiaohui Pan
  • Elemental Choice, Sabina Cali
  • FincaCo, Laura Cruz
  • GEICO NOVA Local Office, Matthew McCarthy
  • Jason McKean/Legal Shield, Jason McKean
  • Jewelry by Elsa, Elsa Spezio
  • Jing’s Collection, Jing Zhang
  • Mediterranean Basil Salt, Beth Mays
  • Mixnature Collars, Adrienn Daubner
  • Movement In Science, Kendra Pena-Collazo
  • My Computer Guy, Thomas Radley
  • Nick Basciano, Atlantic Coast Mortgage
  • Alexandra Keller, Vesta Settlements
  • Passport Auto, JD Pittman
  • Pawsh Dog Wash, Mary Phillips
  • PST!! Pretty Shiny Things plus Art!, Phyllis Lawrence
  • Port City Brewing Company, Julia Nadovich
  • Richard Hampton, Realtor®, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
  • Rosalie’s Kitchen, Marie Enderle
  • SafeSplash Swim School, Sarah Sykes
  • Sidney Zhang Portrait Sketch
  • Sketches and Sawdust, Mackenzie Jones
  • Strata Clay, Stacy Flores
  • Sustainably D Marie LLC, Donna Spencer
  • Syncopated Flame, Melissa Proscia
  • Tala Med Aesthetics, Jaia Culmer
  • Taste of Asia, Ming & Judy Lu
  • The Bathing Raven Candle Co, Jennifer & Doug Reynolds
  • The Parlor Games, Stephanie Abierto – sponsored by Irina Babb, Realtor®
  • The Spicy Grasshopper, Sophia Lin Kanno
  • The Washington Insurance Consulting Group, Randy Phillip
  • Verbal Beginnings, Christina James
  • Vida Women’s Health, Adrian Thompson
  • Volunteer Alexandria, Marion Brunken
  • We Do Together, Attaulhaq Mirwais
  • Zero Limit Lifestyle, Courtney Jordan

Excited for next year? To get ready, see additional information about this years festival on our Best of the West website.