“Summer Send-Off: Jazz Fest, Plant Week, and a Bittersweet Farewell”
One thing I know for sure is that this job will always keep me on my toes.
These past few weeks were filled with fun new memories, interesting history lessons, and bittersweet goodbyes. From Go-Go music to plant pavilions to rollercoasters… I was one busy lady!
DC Jazz Fest
Let’s start with one of my favorite things we as humans experience- music! Washington DC has its own unique sound called Go-Go music. Once you drown out the noise of political pandemonium and turbulent traffic you will hear the smooth sound of DC’s very own genre of music called Go-Go.
And what better way to honor this sweet symphony than with a whole festival dedicated to it? DC Jazz Fest kicked off its 20th annual festival with a concert from the Jo-Go Project at Franklin Park in NW DC. Even with the triple-digit heat, Washingtonians came out in droves to hear the first notes of the festival.
Later that day I met up with the CEO of DC Jazz Fest Sunny Sumter at the Embassy of Australia- she shared the ins and outs of the festival. Jazz would echo through the streets of DC all weekend long.
DC Plant Week
Another week-long event I had the pleasure of cover was DC Plant Week! Only in its third year, DC Plant Week had a sold-out schedule of events. Whether you were a beginner gardener or a well-seasoned plant expert there was something for everyone!
My favorite event was the grand finale- the plant swap. People from all over DC, Virginia, and Maryland came together to show off and swap around their favorite plants. This really lowered the bar to entry into the plant world and gave people of all backgrounds a way to connect over a shared love of plants. I even got a few tips on taking better care of my own houseplants!
Arlington County Fair
If you saw one of my more recent blog posts then you know that going to report at the Arlington County Fair, quite literally, was not my first rodeo.
The Arlington County Fair was one of the best ways to spend an afternoon at work. I rode a bunch of rides, ate some yummy food, and even won a prize at a carnival game. The best part of reporting from the fair had to be when I did my hit from the spinning tea cups. I can now officially say that I have gone on TV live from a carnival ride. 10/10 would recommend.
Bittersweet goodbye
After all this fun, I had to say a bittersweet goodbye to one of my favorite co-workers. Delia Goncalves was a journalist for nearly two and a half decades with 14 of those years spent in DC.
I had the immense pleasure of anchoring the 11 PM news by her side every Sunday night. She taught me how to come out of my shell and be my authentic self on air. She helped foster an encouraging, welcoming, and fun environment on the weekend shows and most of all she became one of my best friends. I will eternally miss her infectious laugh and warm hugs but I’m so excited for her next chapter.
Stay Tuned
So as summer comes to an end and fall starts to show her colors, I am looking forward to the fun forecasts and community events I will cover around the DMV and share with you!