Hello, Gaithersburg!

Just a quick note here to thank the residents, employees and volunteers of Gaithersburg that made their “Celebrate Gaithersburg” festival such a joy for the Clark for Congress campaign to be at yesterday.

It didn’t hurt to have almost perfect fall weather, but everything else about the event was thoroughly enjoyable, from the moment we arrived and were quickly and efficiently directed to our well-marked table area (and nearby parking!), to the pint of tasty homebrew my campaign manager and I quaffed at Growler’s at the end of the day.  Olde Towne Gaithersburg is laid out near a central park dominated by a beautiful old mansion, and the festival featured some great music, a “Green Zone” where environmental responsibility was preached (we especially appreciated that), a World Market, and dozens and dozens of local craftspeople, advocacy groups, delicious food stands, a petting zoo and even acrobat shows for the kids.  And all of it impeccably well-organized.

Even more impressive was the friendliness and openness of the many, many people who attended, a friendliness which rivaled even that of the legendarily friendly Takoma Park.  (Watch out TP, they’re sneaking up on you!)  In particular we were delighted by the interest shown by the large number of Hispanic-speaking residents who came up to our booth, especially after we posted a sign which read “Ningun ser humanos ilegal” – “No human being is illegal,” the slogan of the immigrants rights movement.  It’s amazing how people respond if you actually try to reach out to them – something we are finding in our campaign throughout the 8th district.

So for any local resident who hasn’t been before, I heartily recommend the “Celeberate Gaithersburg” festival the next time it comes around.  And thanks again to the many staff and volunteers who made it such an exceptional day – you rock!