Good Thursday morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, July 3, the 184th day of 2025. There are 181 days left in the year. On this day in 1775, Gen. George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 91 degrees. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 69 degrees. Light and variable wind.
🚨 You need to know
With Independence Day celebrations approaching, the Alexandria Fire Department is reminding residents that all fireworks remain illegal within city limits, including sparklers and novelty items that may be legally purchased in neighboring jurisdictions. The department’s Fire Marshal’s Office enforces the citywide ban to protect people, businesses, and property from the dangers associated with fireworks use.
According to the 2023 United States Consumer Product Safety Commission report, fireworks caused eight civilian deaths and approximately 9,700 emergency room injuries nationwide. The data reveals that teenagers ages 15-19 face the highest risk of fireworks-related injuries, followed by children ages 5-9. Particularly concerning, about 700 emergency department visits were linked to sparkler use alone, with burns accounting for 42 percent of all fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms.
The statistics paint a troubling picture of fireworks safety. Hands and fingers sustained an estimated 35 percent of injuries, while head, face, and ear injuries comprised 22 percent of cases. Additionally, quality control remains an issue, with approximately 18 percent of tested fireworks products in fiscal year 2023 containing noncompliant components, including fuse violations and prohibited chemicals.
Alexandria residents caught possessing, selling, storing, or using fireworks within city limits face serious consequences. Violations are classified as Class 1 misdemeanors, punishable by fines up to $2,500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. All illegal fireworks are subject to confiscation and possible criminal charges.
For those seeking safe fireworks experiences, the city offers alternatives through sponsored events like the City Birthday celebration on Saturday, July 12, and First Night Alexandria. Residents can also attend displays in surrounding localities throughout the Independence Day weekend. Fireworks violations can be reported 24 hours a day by calling 703.746.4444, while emergencies should be reported to 911.
Here’s what else to know
🆕 Welcome to Everything Alexandria, the official Facebook Group from the team at ALXnow! This group is a dedicated space for residents, business owners, visitors, and anyone who loves Alexandria, Virginia, to connect, share, and stay informed about our vibrant community. Join The Group
🚒 Alexandria Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. delivered an upbeat assessment to City Council on Tuesday night of the department’s transformation during his first year in office, reporting significant improvements in employee morale and retention that have addressed longstanding staffing challenges.
🏥 The Alexandria Health Department presented findings from its comprehensive community health assessment to the Alexandria City Council Tuesday night, revealing stark health disparities between neighborhoods and outlining plans for a more targeted approach to community health improvement.
🍸 For the last year and a half, Orkney Springs Distillery has bottled and sold small batches of gluten-free, organic gin and vodka at its facility in Del Ray. ALXnow recently caught up with David Clark, owner of Orkney Springs Distillery.
🇺🇸 Del Ray’s monthly First Thursday street festival is returning with its “Red, White and Bloom” theme this evening from 6 p.m. until sunset. DJ Thunder Bunny will take the stage at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, and the free event includes themed activities like a watermelon seed spitting contest.
📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for July 2, 2025.
- Man found in Holmes Run with duct tape around mouth died of ‘self-inflicted’ gunshot, APD says
- Man arrested after attempted bank robbery in Old Town
- The Chewish Deli takes the crown in Alexandria’s great bagel battle
- ‘Good Trouble’ anti-Trump rally planned in Alexandria on anniversary of John Lewis’s death
- Mayor: Alexandria ‘betting’ on keeping NSF as 2,700 HUD workers relocate to city
📅 Upcoming events
Here’s what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our event calendar.
- 9:00 am: Alexandria Salutes the NCWI Dr. West Traveling Exhibit As It Heads West
- 6:00 pm: Open House Featuring Patriotic Art at Nepenthe
- 6:00 pm: First Thursday: Red, White & Bloom!
Things To Do
- 9 a.m.: Alexandria Salutes the NCWI Dr. West Traveling Exhibit As It Heads West at Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
- 11 a.m.: The Great Zucchini – Laugh Out Loud Magic at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion – “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: First Thursday: Red, White, & Bloom in Del Ray
- 6 p.m.: Open House Featuring Patriotic Art at Nepenthe Gallery
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 219 Restaurant: Live music at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7:30 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s: Live music (TBD) at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub: Pat Garvey at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessys Pub: Everyday Catastrophe, Pain Generator, and Blazoner at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- No meetings or events are scheduled.
