[Archived] City's Birthday Celebration to Begin at 7:30 p.m

In order to protect the public health and safety of residents, visitors, and businesses, the City’s Birthday Celebration program will run as scheduled beginning at 7:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. Oronoco Bay Park will be open to the public all day, but the Birthday Celebration will not kick off until 7:30 p.m., and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra concert will begin at 8:30 p.m., with fireworks to follow at 9:30 p.m.  Event Details >> 

The heat wave affecting the Mid-Atlantic is forecast to remain all weekend. An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a heat index up to 110 degrees, and Code Red air quality expected for Saturday, July 7. Cooling busses will be available to provide relief from the heat at the event. People are encouraged to take the free, air-conditioned King Street trolley to the waterfront, and it will operate until midnight to provide event transportation.

The City advises that persons who are elderly, people with chronic health or fragile conditions, and infants and young children not attend, due to the potential for heat-related illness. If you are in doubt as to whether you and your family can handle the heat, stay home. Even young and healthy people can get sick from prolonged exposure if they do not adequately protect themselves. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.

Residents who are planning to attend the Birthday Celebration should take the following steps to protect themselves from the excessive heat:

• Drink 2 to 4 glasses of cool fluids each hour.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing and stay in the shade outdoors whenever possible.
• Protect yourself from the sun’s rays by wearing sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and bring an umbrella for shade
• Monitor people around you for signs of heat related illness.
• Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar, which can cause you to lose more body fluid. Avoid very cold drinks, because they may cause stomach cramps.

For more information on staying cool—and safe—in extreme heat, visit the City’s web page on How to Beat The Summer Heat.