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Olive scans hand-made earrings while attending 2nd Sunday on Mother’s Day.
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Chris and Elizabeth Jones enjoy taking their children to 2nd Sunday toenjoy live music and peruse the crafts.
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Hayden and Quincy tickle their sweet tooth with fresh baked cookies.
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Chris and his children thumb through magnets.
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Chris Jones
I moved to Williamsburg six years ago with my wife, Elizabeth, and our 1-year-old son, Hayden. Prior to that, I had been to Williamsburg twice—once to interview at the Williamsburg Gazette in 2001 and once as a sports reporter covering a high school football game between Lafayette and Liberty (Bealeton) that same year.
Needless to say, a lot had changed in 12 years.
As I began to get acquainted with the landscape, I learned of 2nd Sunday. After checking one out on my own, I took my wife on a date to the next event.
As we strolled the streets hand-in-hand checking out the vendors, looking at their crafts, enjoying the live music and sipping beer at Dog Street Pub, we realized we were in a good place, one where we could raise and grow our family.
That day, we bought hand-made goods from local vendors, chatted with authors selling their books, andI networked with people who I thought might have interesting stories that I could share.
As the day progressed and crafters disassembled their booths and packed up their merchandise, my wife mentioned that we hadn’t walked down one leg of Prince George Street. While wandering through, she nudged me and told me to talk to a guy and his wife who were there selling children’s books. I introduced myself. As he extended a hand toward me and our palms touched, he said, “Nice to meet you, I’m David. David Cutting.”
We struck up an amazing conversation about creativity, art and purpose. David, who is now an art teacher at Walsingham Academy, was at that time running his own illustration and design business. He had once worked as the senior animator at Nickelodeon on the popular children’s show Blue’s Clues. He was also illustrating Danny and the Dinosaur Book Series for Harper, Grumpy Cat books, and other titles. As you can imagine, we became fast friends and are close to this day. I owe my wife credit for helping me to make my first friend in my new home.
Since moving to Williamsburg, we have gone to many 2nd Sundays. We’ve grown our family by two—we’ve added a daughter, Olive, who is 3, and won custody of my now 11-year-old son, Quincy. For us, 2nd Sunday is still a family affair. My little girl loves to dance in the streets as the musicians play, my boys love trying to catch Silver Steve in motion, my wife loves to grab artisan earrings, and I love talking to strangers in the hopes of making new friends.
Every great city and civilization thrive when they’re committed to the arts. I’m excited about where we’re headed in Williamsburg. With 2nd Sunday, An Occasion for the Arts, the Williamsburg Book Festival, CultureFix and our museums, we’ll continue to be a community that brings people together through an appreciation for the creative.
If you haven’t been out in a while to enjoy all Williamsburg has to offer, this summer is sure to get you excited. Check out our calendar of events and get plugged in to the arts and culture that’s blossoming on all sides.
