Photo courtesy of parade organizers
1st Virginia Regiment marches in previous George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria.
Thousands will line Old Town Alexandria’s streets next week to see a parade of Revolutionary War frocks, horses, antique cars and more to celebrate a time-honored tradition.
The George Washington Birthday Parade from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 is the marquee event during a month of celebrations for the first president. Alexandria has celebrated his birthday since the 1800s, parade organizers said.
“New Orleans has Mardi Gras and Alexandria has the George Washington Parade,” said Alexandria resident Bud Jackson, a George Washington Celebration Committee member.
The parade will draw 20,000-50,000 spectators, and 2,500-3,000 will march this year, said Joe Shumard, who became chair of the committee in1999. This year marks the 286th anniversary of Washington’s birthday.
In 1748, Washington’s brother Lawrence petitioned to establish a town on 60 acres of land 10 miles from his Mount Vernon home, according to MountVernon.org, a site run by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which maintains George Washington’s estate.
George Washington helped lay out Alexandria into 84 lots along 10 streets around a central square, according to the site.
“Alexandria would not be what it is today without him here,” Shumard said.“He and lot of his comrades plotted the Revolutionary War in the tavern right here in Alexandria.”
Washington owned a pew at Christ Church and helped build the first permanent Catholic Church in Virginia, according to the site.
The community held a civic dinner at Gadsby’s Tavern to welcome Washington back from the presidency, according to the site.
Despite the parade’s longevity, organizers add something new to the parade each year.This year, first responders to the June 2017 shooting at a congressional baseball practice at Simpson Field in Alexandria will serve as the parade’s grand marshals.
Organizers wanted to honor “local heroes who’ve contributed a great deal to Alexandria.” The first responders fit the bill for the “sacrifice and danger they were involved in during the shooting,” said Shumard.
Shumard continues to enjoy organizing the events.“It’s like getting the old gang together once a year,” he said, but said organizers try to continue to include more people.
Parade tips
Organizers have tips for enjoying the parade.
How to get there: Organizers recommend taking public transportation to the event. Public parking will be available at the parking lots adjacent to the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station. From there, there will be a free Dash shuttle bus taking people to Old Town and back from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The free King Street Trolley will also be in operation until 11 p.m. from the King Street Metro Station along King Street.
Schedule:
11 a.m: Organizers say spectators should come downtown by 11 a.m. for the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, at 321 S. Fairfax St.
11:30 a.m.: Band concert at Market Square.
12 Noon: The Armed Forces Community Covenant will be at the reviewing stand at noon.
1 p.m.: The Parade starts at this time. The reviewing stand will be located at the intersection of King and Royal streets. The best place to watch the parade is from the curb near Market Square on N. Royal Street or on N. Fairfax Street.
See the parade route map below.
Museum Open Houses and Other Events
There are 16 events in total during February to mark Washington's Birthday.
Earlier this month, Alexandria restaurants participated in the Cherry Challenge, serving cherry-centric dishes to celebrate the legend of Washington chopping down a cherry tree as a child. Diners voted for the best dishes and organizers will winners at the parade.
Fort Ward Park is hosting a Revolutionary War Reenactment Sunday, Feb. 18. It will include a historic camp and tactical demonstrations starting at 10 a.m., and a Revolutionary War skirmish at 2 p.m. between the Redcoats and the Colonial Army.
Some Alexandria museums will host free open houses on parade day:
1. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax Street: Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St.: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other events include the Walking with Washington tour of places he frequented.
Mount Vernon Estate has a variety of events planned throughout the weekend. Admission to the estate is free on Monday. The estate has a presidential tribute planned, a wreathlaying at Washington’s tomb, Continental soldiers in a marching drill and more.
The sold-out Birthnight Banquet and Ball on Saturday, Feb. 17 is 18th-century themed and includes English country dancing and character re-enactments. Washington was known to stay late dancing at balls and parties.
For more information on the parade and related events during the parade weekend, visit washingtonbirthday.com/parade.
Facts about Washington:
Born: Feb. 22, 1732
Birthplace: Pope’s Creek, Virginia in Westmoreland County
Years as President: April 30, 1789 - March 4, 1797
Formal Education: None
Land Ownership: Owned more than 50,000 acres in Virginia and what is now West Virginia, along with Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky and Ohio
Map courtesy of parade organizers
