In Downtown Arlington, Community is at the Heart of the Holidays

This will be my first Christmas as President and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, and I couldn’t be more excited! While my family is not new to Arlington, thanks to my role with DAMC I've been more fully immersed than ever before into the plethora of holiday events, shows, promotions and specials that take place throughout Downtown and the entire City.

Of all the cities I’ve lived in and visited during the holidays, Arlington glows the brightest with authenticity, generosity and tradition, and to me, Downtown is the epicenter of this magic.

Traditions large and small flourish in Downtown Arlington. Some families wouldn’t think of missing the Carol Sing Along with Symphony Arlington, for instance, while others haven’t missed Theatre Arlington’s holiday show for decades. Friends of the Library at UT Arlington have gathered together for seasonal programs as long as folks can remember, and little ones light up at the thought of meeting Santa after the Holiday Lights Parade. Too-many-to-count Friendsgiving celebrations, office parties, gift exchanges and other get-togethers also take place in an abundance of Downtown restaurants, pubs, and conferences rooms.

When the Arlington community comes together, magic happens, particularly when we’re asked to lend a hand. Every year Mission Arlington sends out the call for volunteers to deliver turkeys on Thanksgiving and donate toys at Christmastime, and love and generosity flood in. At last count, over 9,000 children have already been served by this year’s efforts.

While this benevolent outpouring might be the most visible in Downtown (and arguably the city), it’s far from the only one. From Angel Trees in office suites to clothing drive drop-offs in restaurants and retail stores to special collections at faith-based organizations, our Downtown businesses and their customers exercise their inner Christmas elves in their own, unique ways. Of all the ways that Downtown Arlington brings people together, this big-hearted outpouring of goodwill towards our neighbors is why I’m especially proud to call Arlington my home.

Dr. Seuss may have said it best:

Fahoo Fores Dahoo Dores

Welcome Christmas bring your light

Fahoo Fores Dahoo Dores

Welcome in the cold dark night

Welcome Christmas fahoo ramus

Welcome Christmas dahoo damus

Welcome Christmas while we stand,

Heart to Heart and Hand in Hand

Fahoo Fores Dahoo Dores

Welcome Christmas,

Christmas Day!

On behalf of all of the entrepreneurs, artists, neighbors, partners, students and friends that call Downtown Arlington home, thank you for inviting us to be a part of your traditions and for making our traditions yours.

Aldo Fritz is President and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation. A certified planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Fritz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University, and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the University of Texas at Arlington. He and his wife live in Arlington.