Up, Up and Away Mural
The Up, Up, & Away mural, created in 2020 by the artist Joseph Craig English (b. 1947-), provides a colorful backdrop for Mr. Brown’s Park in the Little City of Falls Church. The vivid two-story hot air balloon-themed mural gives park visitors an uplifting feeling and a view of nearly a dozen hot air balloons. The two most prominent balloons display the Little City logo and the “Virginia is For Lovers” slogan.
The use of balloons also echoes the city’s Civil War history when the Union Army conducted reconnaissance missions in East Falls Church. In particular, the mural theme honors balloonist Thaddeus Lowe, who, on June 24, 1861, conducted the first aerial reconnaissance in U.S. military history from Fort Taylor Park in Falls Church.