Alexandria is going all out this year for its sweet 275, and it doesn’t look a day over 200.
The anniversary is in July, marking 275 since the city was founded in 1749, but the party starts in April.
The kick-off is at Waterfront Park on Saturday, April 6, from noon to 4 p.m.
“We’ll be debuting an exciting new archaeology exhibit on recently uncovered ships at the Robinson Landing Gallery on the corner of the Strand and Pioneer Mill Way, showing off some of our City’s historic and public safety vehicles, and planting the first of 275 new trees,” the city said in a release. “Come get a 275th Passport to guide your journey through all the fun at our City’s 275th Anniversary Kickoff.”
According to the release:
This milestone is not just a recognition of more than two centuries of history; it’s also an opportunity to amplify the shared experiences of our community and the collective achievements that have shaped our City’s identity.
ALX275 is everyone’s chance to take part in history! Share your story to be memorialized in our City’s history. Don’t forget to download the City’s Social Media Toolkit to join in the celebration.
Residents will be encouraged to join us via public transportation through a partnership with DASH and GoAlex. Dedicated bus routes will be available on April 6.
Mark your calendars: Port City Brewing Company is hosting a sip-and-shop event early in May.
On Saturday, May 4, the brewery is collaborating with Made in ALX to host 30 artists from around the city with pop-up shops. The event will be held at the brewery at 3950 Wheeler Avenue.
According to a release:
This fun sip-and-shop event features craft beer from the award-winning Port City Brewing Co. along with food, shopping and activities for all ages.
About 30 artists from Alexandria and the region will pop-up with gifts for Mother’s Day, spring birthdays and just because. Signed artists for the May 4 event include Daniel Horowitz Art, CalmConnectWell Self Care Gifts, Chandra Designs, Garden Home, Ambitiously You, Silvergirl Handmade, Puzzles from Art and more than 20 other local makers.There is easy street and off-street parking at Port City Brewing Co., at 3950 Wheeler Ave. in Alexandria’s West End.
The market is scheduled to open at noon and close at 5 p.m. While some of the beverages are adult/human-only, the event is also kid and pet-friendly.
Artists can apply to be in the market online.
Photo via Made in ALX/Facebook
Alexandria knows how to throw a great parade, and the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 2, should be a good one.
The parade will start at the intersection of King and St. Asaph streets and move east along King Street to Lee Street. From there the parade turns north one block then heads back west along Cameron Street to the Pitt Street intersection.
A reviewing stand will be set up on Royal Street.
The parade will also come with a host of road closures around Old Town, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. Parked cars will be cleared away starting at 9 a.m.
Prince Street and Queen Street will both be blocked off from Washington Street to Lee Street. Saint Asaph street will be closed from Duke Street to Queen Street to accommodate the staging area.
There are several parking garages throughout Old Town, but there will be $5 all-day parking at the Courthouse Garage and the City Hall Garage.
Notably, both of those are behind the road closures, so those hoping to take advantage of that $5 all-day parking might not be able to access their cars between 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
For those currently at the parade on Saturday who found this article frantically googling “Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day parade bathrooms” there are five public restrooms around the parade route at:
- The Market Square Garage
- Ramsay House
- Torpedo Factory
- City Marina
- Robinson Landing Building
The annual George Washington Birthday Parade is returning to Alexandria on President’s Day (Monday, Feb. 19). Here’s what you need to know.
The theme of the 101st annual parade is “George Washington: Alexandria’s Living Legend,” and this year’s parade marshals are the recipients of the prestigious Living Legends of Alexandria award.
According to parade organizers:
The Grand Marshal will be representatives of the Living Legends of Alexandria, individuals who have contributed to the community in an exemplary and lasting way that has significantly impacted the quality of life in Alexandria and serves as an inspiration to others. 2024 is also the 275th Birthday of the founding of the City of Alexandria.
Thousands of freemasons, city-related groups and nonprofits, and politicians march in the parade, which the city says is the oldest and largest of its kind in the world. The free event was first held in 1923 to commemorate the cornerstone laying of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial at King Street and Commonwealth Avenue.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. at the intersection of South Fairfax Street and Gibbon Street. Participants will then march north on South Fairfax Street to City Hall (301 King Street), take a left at Queen Street, and another left at S. Royal Street to the reviewing stand, which will be located at the intersection of N. Royal Street and King Streets. The parade route ends at the intersection of S. Royal Street and Wilkes Street, and the parade is scheduled to end at 3 p.m.
Parade organizers will also select the first, second and third-ranking participants in the following categories:
- Antique vehicles
- Masonic lodge with the best spirit
- Community/fraternal group
- Float
- Historical unit
- Honor and color guards
- Military units and drill team
- Youth groups
- The spirit of George Washington
Additionally, the winning restaurant in this year’s annual Cherry Challenge will be announced.
Alexandria’s next parade is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town on Saturday, March 2.
Care to try your hand at some tavern games by candlelight?
The Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal Street) is hosting a night of drinks and games at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19.
Tickets are $25 and include one drink ticket. The event is recommended for those 21 and older.
According to a newsletter from the Office of Historic Alexandria:
Taverns were a hot spot for ‘sporting’ culture — some taverns even lived and died by what games that had on offer! Enjoy drinks, a brief presentation about 18th-century gaming culture, and the opportunity to try your hand at a variety of 18th-century games.
Santa Claus will visit Alexandria for some waterskiing on the Potomac River on Christmas Eve (Sunday, Dec. 24), just hours before taking his round-the-world trip to deliver presents.
You can catch Santa at around 12:45 p.m. traveling up and down the Potomac, and rumor has it that the Grinch will try to steal the show with an appearance.
It’s the 38th year in a row that he’s visited Alexandria for the event. Afterward, Santa, Mrs. Claus and a crew of their helpers will dock at Waterfront Park (1 King Street) to visit with families.
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) in Old Town will host a free magic show next month.
The show, put on by magicians from Ring 50, will also include a toy drive to benefit the Fund for Alexandria’s Children Holiday Sharing Program, which gets presents for children who might otherwise not get gifts during the holidays.
The magic show also reflects part of the museum’s history, with records showing 19th-century magicians performing at the venue in the 1840s.
According to the city’s website:
Magic is a part of The Lyceum’s history and 19th-century magicians like Signor Blitz and Wyman the Wizard performed at there in the 1840s. This modern family-friendly show will be geared toward children ages 5 to 12, but all are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Fund for Alexandria’s Child Holiday Sharing Program, which benefits kids who might otherwise go without holiday gifts this year. For more information, email [email protected]. The show is free, but space is limited so please reserve a space here!
Photo via Fengyou Wan/Unsplash
You’ll have plenty of time to fill up on turkey and stuffing after burning calories at the 48th Alexandria Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.
The five-mile race on Nov. 23 through the heart of Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is expected to draw upward of 6,000 participants. It will start at 9 a.m. outside George Washington Middle School (1005 Mount Vernon Avenue).
That’s a far cry from the first race in 1975, which had 244 runners and a first place time of 25 minutes and seven seconds. Incidentally, the winner of last year’s race was professional athlete Willy Fink with a time of 23 minutes and four seconds.
On race day, the doors at GW Middle School will open at 7:30 a.m., followed by the invocation and announcements at 8:45 a.m. The race will start at 9 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 10 a.m.
Participants are asked to register and pick up their racing materials before the race.
Thousands turned out in costumes for the 27th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday.
This year, the parade was named one of the top 10 Halloween Parades in the country by USA Today.
The Del Ray Business Association parade started at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Bellefonte Avenue and ended with live music and prizes at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields.
“We couldn’t have made such a successful event without more than 100 volunteers,” said parade organizer Gayle Reuter. “We start planning for this months in advance, and it takes so many neighbors and friends to make it a success.”
Del Ray’s next big event is the 48th annual Alexandria Turkey Trot on Nov. 23.
The @AlexCityTitans Zombie Band was out in force for the best Halloween Parade on the planet in Del Ray!
Amazing and creative costumes!
Thanks to @visitdelrayVA for making it happen. pic.twitter.com/4KtyPp3FR2
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) October 29, 2023
Another great Del Ray Halloween Parade is in the books! pic.twitter.com/yjlrAkjElq
— Canek Aguirre (@CanekForCouncil) October 29, 2023
Another amazing Del Ray Halloween Parade this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/DIGmAUrnXk
— Alexandria Sheriff (@AlexVASheriff) October 29, 2023
One of #AlexandriaVA favorite traditions, the Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade! I had such a fun time judging the Pet Costume Contest! Over 50 pets entered the contest this year! @visitdelray pic.twitter.com/I7KVGtsH2b
— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) October 29, 2023
Get your candy buckets ready, because the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade is next Sunday, Oct. 29.
It’s Visit Del Ray’s 27th year hosting the fun event, which starts at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Bellefonte Avenue and ends with live music and prizes at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields.
Thousands are expected to attend the event.
Prizes will also be awarded for the following contests:
- Best decorated house and business —Â Click here to nominate a Del Ray house
- Stroller/Group — All strollers must be registered by 1:30 p.m; strollers will then line up on Howell to be judged prior to the parade
- Pet costume —Â Pet entries must be registered by 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Vernon and E. Howell Avenues
