Alexandria’s month-long celebration of the first president of the United States continues this Saturday with the return of the George Washington Birthday Parade.
Known as Washington’s adopted hometown, Alexandria has celebrated the Founding Father, born Feb. 22, 1732, with a birthday parade that dates back to 1801. This year, it will run from 2-4 p.m. this Saturday in Old Town with a modified route, due to ongoing renovations at City Hall and Market Square.
This year’s theme is “Virginia’s Son – America’s Founding Father,” and the parade will be led by Grand Marshals Ginnie Sebastian Storage and Michael J. Elston, who are Virginia residents and the national president generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution, respectively.
The parade will bring a lively group of drum corps, color guards, bands, floats and several community groups to its route, largely along S. St. Asaph and Pitt streets. As usual, they’ll be joined by “General Washington and Martha Washington,” parade organizers said in a release.
This year is special for parade organizers because 2026 also marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Earlier this week, the Office of Historic Alexandria and city officials celebrated the kickoff of various Alexandria events commemorating America250.
“This year, we’re encouraging our parade participants to be extra creative, not only in celebrating George Washington’s birthday but in celebrating the founding of our country and Washington’s instrumental role in it,” said Sue Johnson, chair of the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee.
Parade following modified route
This year’s parade is adapting to ongoing construction at City Hall with a modified route, starting at S. St. Asaph and Wolfe streets and ending at Duke and Pitt streets. The Parade Review Stand will be located at Pitt and King streets.
Several roads will be blocked off and street parking will be prohibited from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on the parade’s route and in surrounding areas, which are detailed in the map below.
The route and more information about parade participants and their order will be available tomorrow (Friday) on the parade’s website. ALXnow has reached out to the Alexandria Police Department for more information about road closures.
Elsewhere in Alexandria, ongoing commemorations of Washington include the culinary Cherry Challenge at local restaurants and a historical scavenger “Hunt for Washington.”
Before the parade, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier from noon to 1 p.m. at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House (321 S. Fairfax Street). Then, in the evening, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum will host a four-course Birthnight Dinner from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
“The George Washington Birthday Parade is a beloved community tradition that brings us together to celebrate the connection between the nation’s founding father and the City of Alexandria,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said in a release. “As our nation celebrates its 250th year, we look forward to welcoming community members and tourists to participate in the celebration.”
