After cancellations in the last two years, the Rosemont Fourth of July event is bringing community spirit back to Independence Day.
The Rosemont Citizens Association event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School (600 Russell Road). The events had been cancelled in 2024 and 2025 due to the elementary school’s window replacement and library renovation projects.
Rosemont Fourth of July is significant for Alexandria, as the city does not host its birthday celebration with fireworks until after July 4. This year’s Alexandria 277th and USA’s 250th Birthday Celebration will happen on Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street).
Rosemont Fourth of July dates back to the 1960s and is believed to be Alexandria’s longest-running July 4 event. According to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, it was founded by Rosemont resident Owen Malone and retired Judge Daniel O’Flaherty, who served as the association’s president.
Today, the citizens association holds in-person happy hours to connect with neighbors, but members see the July 4 event as a way to include kids.
“This is something where we sort of tried as an association to hold these sort of old-style events where you actually get out and meet your neighbors, since again, one of the challenges of the modern world is, you set up your meetings online and you never actually see anyone,” Rosemont Citizens Association president Jol Silversmith told ALXnow.
While Rosemont Fourth of July cannot host fireworks, it promises a moon bounce and water feature for children, the Flavors of Mexico food truck, cotton candy and popcorn stands, best dressed pet contest, bike decorating contest, and participation from sponsors such as Yates. Local musician Marian Hunter was recruited to sing the national anthem.
Organizers aren’t doing anything specific for America’s 250th birthday. However, Silversmith is bringing his Fourth of July yard display to put up at the school.
The event used to feature neighbors barbecuing their own food, but that transitioned to a food truck as obtaining health permits became more complex. The Rosemont Citizens Association board has led other duties, such as obtaining city event permits, noise permits and insurance, and neighbors pitch in for volunteer tasks such as set up. While new residents have become involved over the years, Silversmith says some of the organizers have been involved in the event for much of their lives.
Although the citizens association typically focuses on civic issues before the city government, events like the Fourth of July help it build a broader sense of community.
“We can’t quite say we’ve held it every year, because there seem to be things that keep getting in the way, but we’ve tried our darndest,” Silversmith said. “It takes a construction project, or an act of nature to prevent us from holding it.”
