Memorial Day Celebration / 49th Annual Flores-Gambino family picnic

The Flores-Gambino family has been throwing a wonderful Memorial Day celebration for friends, neighbors and family for the past 49 years, in the Penrose area off the Pike. The family has lived in the community since the early 1920's.

This year's traditions of potluck and homegrown music was supplemented by a bed of nails from a local burlesque/sideshow performer (courtesy of cousin Gavin).

Thanks to Pete Durgan and the entire Flores-Gambino clan for hosting the best party in Arlington every year.

Photography by Lloyd Wolf.

Carnaval Bolivianao

Carnaval Bolivianao featured a parade of thirty-two local Bolivian dance troupes, celebrating the styles and traditions of the Bolivian city of Oruru. The fiesta marched along S. Four Mile Run Drive, adjacent to Columbia Pike, in Arlington Virginia.

There were over 3,000 dancers, and an equal or greater number of observers. The carnival was sponsored by Pro Bolivia USA.

Bolivians make up the second largest group of Spanish-speaking citizens among Arlington's large Latin population.

It was quite an intense display of lively folklore traditions, fancy dancing, pulsing music, and an exploding constellation of dazzling color.

Photography by Lloyd Wolf.