First Watch Strategies & Events

04/22/2026

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is a great reminder of what truly makes events successful… People!
To all the volunteers we have the privilege of working alongside: Thank You!! Your time, energy, and dedication are what turn plans into meaningful experiences and moments that matter.
We’re grateful for everything you do to support our events and the communities they serve.

03/26/2026

We are proud to be working on this very special event! Please join us in honoring our Vietnam Veterans on Sunday. https://www.veteransunited.com/welcome-home/

I’m honored to be partnering with Veterans United Home Loans for a special Welcome Home event on March 29 — National Vietnam War Veterans Day — on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This event is open to the public, and Vietnam Veterans and their families are especially encouraged to attend. I hope you can join us as we will end the day with a concert from The LT. Dan Band. 🇺🇸 Get your tickets now and register here: https://www.veteransunited.com/welcome-home/

03/03/2026

At FWS, we believe in sharing our industry knowledge with the next generation of professionals preparing to shape the future of large-scale events and social impact.
Last week our President & CEO Linda Lindamood had the privilege to join University of Southern California for a Special Topics lecture titled “The Road to the Special Olympics USA Games.”
Thank you to USC for creating space to connect with students exploring the intersection of sports, leadership, and large-scale event management while highlighting the power of inclusion through sport!

11/07/2025

🌈 10.18.25 - an unforgettable day of celebration!
Last month, the First Watch team had the privilege of producing another magical Come Out With Pride festival in Orlando, the largest single-day event of Central FL. From the Pride Parade down Orange Ave to the Festival at Lake Eola Park, our team is still glowing with gratitude (and maybe a little glitter).
💜 Over 200,000 attendees filling downtown Orlando with vibrant energy
💚 A packed Lake Eola Park with live entertainment, food, art, and laughter
💙 Local vendors, sponsors and volunteers who made everything run smoothly
🧡 Countless memories made — under the sun, AND under the rainbow!🌈
A huge shoutout to everyone who showed up, showed love, and showed PRIDE. You made Orlando shine brighter than ever in a time we needed it the most.
Here’s to continuing the celebration of love and unity all year long. 🏳️‍🌈✨

10/14/2025

The First Watch team is gearing up for this year’s Come Out With Pride Festival & Parade at Lake Eola Park on October 18th, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🎉🌈This year’s theme, “WE THE PEOPLE,” reminds us that Pride’s legacy of protest continues to inspire the fight for justice and equality—now more than ever. At First Watch Strategies and Events, we stand proud with this movement and look forward to another great celebration that showcases the strength of the LBGTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈

08/15/2025

🎣☀️Summer may be winding down, but the memories are still flowing strong! This past Spring we kicked off the season in style at another unforgettable Anacostia River Festival! From fishing on the river to dancing to live tunes, the community came together for a fun-filled day by the water.
Huge thank you to the 11th Street Bridge Park staff and volunteers for another amazing partnership in bringing this fantastic festival to life.

08/05/2025

That’s a wrap on Kids World 2025 — and what an unforgettable day it was! 🐻🌟

Thousands of families came together in the heart of DC for a day filled with laughter, learning, and lots of fun. From interactive activities and live performances to storytelling and creative workshops, the energy was off the charts! 🌈📚🎨

Whether you rode the train, danced to the beat, or just enjoyed some delicious treats, you helped make Kids World 2025 a summer celebration to remember.

Presented by Events DC and supported by DC Public Library and Amazon.com , with special thanks to Chick-fil-A , Shake Shack , and smartwater💛

Proudly hosted by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID).

See you next year! 👋

07/14/2025

Please join us for this fabulous family event in DC on July 26-27! 🧸💖

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) was founded in 1997 and is a private, nonprofit place management organization. We oversee a 140-block area of approximately 530 properties and numerous parks and public space, from Massachusetts Avenue NW on the north, including the Walter E. Washin...

06/27/2025

This year’s WorldPride Street Festival & Concert reminded us what community looks like.🌈✨
Earlier this month we lit up the streets with love, music, and unity for 2 DAYS. Thank you for showing up, standing proud, and dancing loud! ❤️ A special shout out to the Capital Pride Alliance team and all volunteers that came together to bring this event to life.
If you missed out on the fun, swipe and take a look!



Photo creds:
Belinda Shao
Amber McRae
Everett Chu
Jeffrey Feng
Elvert Barnes

06/25/2025

🌈✨ Celebrate loudly. Love openly. MARCH BOLDLY.✨🌈
First Watch was beyond honored to help bring DC's largest celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, visibility, and resilience to life. The 2025 WorldPride Parade brought hundreds of thousands from across the world to the streets of DC.
Every float, every beat, every step taken down this vibrant route is the result of thousands of hours, hearts, and hands working in unison — driven by love, justice, and unapologetic joy. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

This parade was more than an event.. it was a global movement!



Photo creds:
Jeffrey Feng
Olivia Thomas
Owen McCullum
Richard Udell