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Attendees wave at the camera for the 150th anniversary group photo during a First Thursday event Sept. 3 in downtown Arlington. Participants could receive a free T-shirt for the photo.<\/p>\n
Photo by Daney Buil<\/a><\/p>\n Residents gathered in downtown Arlington for a First Thursday event, which celebrated the city’s 150th birthday. <\/p>\n The celebration included a community photo, in which participants were placed in a 150 formation as an aerial drone took a picture. <\/p>\n Participants received commemorative shirts and cookies from Marquez Bakery. <\/p>\n Arlington broadcast specialist Matthew Boyd managed the drone that took the photo. Boyd said he was uncertain if enough people would show up, but a lot of residents made it. <\/p>\n Grand Prairie resident Lauren Venegas hands out free Arlington 150 shirts during a First Thursday event Sept. 3 at Levitt Pavilion. Lauren attends the University of Oregon.<\/p>\n Photo by Emmanuel Pizano<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt shows a lot of community pride that this many people came out right at 5 o’clock to be out here in the heat but to honor the history of Arlington,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Boyd said his favorite thing about Arlington is that even though it is a major city, it still has a small-town feel. He said it is nice to see people he knows all over the city. <\/p>\n Arlington resident Cindy Blanco has lived in the city since the \u201990s and said there is a sense of pride in being part of the celebration. Blanco said it is important to celebrate milestones like this because it brings the community together. <\/p>\n \u201cJust the fact that we come together to make things happen, I think that’s a huge difference,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Chloe Voisard performs with silk fans during a First Thursday event Sept. 3 at Levitt Pavilion. Voisard is a flow artist.<\/p>\n Photo by Emmanuel Pizano<\/a><\/p>\n As the sound of live music filled downtown, residents collaborated on a chalk drawing, where they added their personal touches, by the City Center Plaza. <\/p>\n Mary Dooley, Arlington resident and chalk artist, was in charge of a community chalk mural. Dooley said she felt honored to be a part of the celebration and to do something that brings everyone together. <\/p>\n \u201cWe could always find more reasons to come together,\u201d she said. \u201cTimes are tough, so anything that we can do to find joy and happiness is important.\u201d <\/p>\n Dooley said she loves the variety of activities the city offers. <\/p>\n Attendees lounge on the grass during a First Thursday event Sept. 3 at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Arlington. The event lasted from 5 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Photo by Daney Buil<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s a melting pot of all kinds, and I love that there’s just lots of opportunity, lots of things to do here in every corner,\u201d Dooley said.<\/p>\n Dooley said she has participated in various First Thursdays. This was her first event back after taking a break, which is another reason this birthday edition is so special to her. <\/p>\n At Hurtado Barbecue, the celebration continued with a live mural painting by artist Dylan Kennedy. <\/p>\n Kennedy said the mural has the word “dream” in 150 languages, all spoken by Arlington residents, because the city is known as the American dream city. <\/p>\n Fort Worth resident Dylan Kennedy paints a mural for a First Thursday and 150th anniversary event Sept. 3 in downtown Arlington. The mural has the word \u201cdream\u201d in 150 languages.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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