[Archived] City of Alexandria to Hold Annual USA & City Birthday Celebration on July 13

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2019

The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 270th and the USA’s 243rd birthday on Saturday, July 13, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.). In the event of inclement weather, fireworks only will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 14, at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

This year’s master of ceremonies will be NBC4 anchor Pat Lawson Muse. DJ Steven Swann will kick off the event, with a later performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra. As always, the event will feature free birthday cupcakes and a fireworks display. The list of scheduled activities is as follows:

6 p.m. - Performance by DJ Steven Swann
7:30 p.m. - Town crier announces Mayor Justin Wilson; poetry reading by Alexandria Poet Laureate KaNikki Jakarta; acknowledgements
8 p.m. - Distribution of birthday cupcakes by members of City Council
8:30 p.m. - Performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
9:30 p.m. - Grand finale fireworks display, featuring Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture” with cannon support by the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3d United States Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”)

Oronoco Bay Park has lawn seating, and participants are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Food vendors will be on-site with a selection of hot food and cool treats. Grilling, smoking, tents, and large or staked umbrellas are not permitted. Please keep all pets at home. If groups or families are separated, an area for lost persons will be located at the City stage.

Since Metrorail closures will affect travel to the celebration, visitors are encouraged to bike, walk or take alternative public transportation. Visit alexandriava.gov/GOAlex for travel tips to help navigate Metrorail closures, which includes the City’s Bikeways Map with the best on-street and off-road bikeways and bicycle parking locations. The free King Street Trolley will operate on an extended schedule, with the last trolley departing King and Union streets at 11:45 p.m. Visit Metrobus or DASH for schedule information. Rideshare companies and taxi services will drop off and pick up on N. Royal Street, between Pendleton Street and Madison Street.

For a list of garages and parking lots in the Old Town historic district, visit Where to Park in Old Town. In addition to regular parking garages and metered parking, discounted parking will be available for $5 at 44 Canal Center Plaza, courtesy of American Real Estate Partners. Handicapped-accessible parking will be available on the 500 block of N. Fairfax Street.

For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592.

For media inquiries, contact Jack Browand at jack.browand@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5504.

To request a reasonable disability accommodation, contact anne.odell@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5419, Virginia Relay 711.