Were you wondering where the city’s fireworks were this weekend?
Fret not: the city reserves its fireworks and pageantry for Saturday, July 10, the celebration of the City of Alexandria’s birthday — a tradition that outdates 4th of July.
The city is celebrating its 272nd birthday with a fireworks display along the Potomac River, viewable in-person or online, starting at 8:45 p.m. The ceremony will include an opening by the Town Crier, a message from Mayor Justin Wilson, poetry by Poet Laureate KaNikki Jakarta, and a performance by the Alexandria National Symphony Orchestra.
The scene will be a little different this year compared to years past. The fireworks are being repositioned to be visible from multiple spots along the Potomac River waterfront, stretching from Canal Center Plaza to Jones Point Park. The event will also not include food trucks or food vendors this year, and no cannon support during the fireworks display.
Attendees are asked to leave pets at home and refrain from smoking during the event.
The city listed recommended viewing spots as:
- Canal Center Plaza (Center Canal Plaza)
- Rivergate Park (2 Montgomery Street)
- Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street)
- Founders Park (351 North Union Street)
- Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street)
- Windmill Hill Park (501 South Union Street)
- Fords Landing boardwalk (99 Franklin Street)
- Jones Point Park (Jones Point Drive)
- George Washington Masonic Temple (101 Callahan Drive)
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.