Alexandria City Council to consider permanently allowing big events on consecutive weekends

After a busy spring and summer, the Alexandria City Council will consider permanently changing its special event policy to allow for large events with 500+ people on consecutive weekends.

City Council approved a waiver earlier this summer, as well as last year, allowing for large events on consecutive weekends. They will consider the permanent change in a meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 12).

“This change will allow events in Old Town on consecutive weekends without having to obtain permission from City Council,” city staff wrote in a report.

There are also a number of other special events policy changes, including:

• Outside entities receiving financial assistance for Special Events from the City are required to provide the Special Events Committee with a business plan and/or provide a full disclosure of all expenses and revenues related to the event
• Event organizers must file a notice of intent with the City Special Events Committee at least 180 days prior to the event, instead of the 90 days currently in the special events policy
• If bottled water is provided at the event, a reasonable fee (not to exceed $1) may be changed to the public for each bottle of water
• No notice or approval is needed for assemblies, protests and rallies if the event won’t block pedestrians from using sidewalks/crosswalks, or attendance will be under 50 and won’t be on/in a city street, or if the assembly breaks out spontaneously
• Weddings with more than 50 people in attendance and/or that require exclusive use of a city park or other public space will be required to obtain a Special Event permit

Alexandria is home to a number of large-scale events, including the George Washington Birthday Parade, the Scottish Christmas Walk, Art On The Avenue, the city’s birthday celebration, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.