The City of Alexandria marked its milestone 275th birthday July 13 with a celebration that culminated in a fireworks display over the Potomac River following a day of festivities at Oronoco Bay Park.
Revelers were undeterred by soaring daytime temperatures that cooled as Alexandria’s Town Crier, Ben Fiore-Walker, welcomed attendees to the festivities. The celebration included a performance by Munit Mesfin, a poetry reading by Alexandria Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam and distribution of birthday cupcakes by Mayor Justin Wilson, city officials and members of City Council.
“This is a yearly tradition for us,” said Angelique Gomez, who enjoyed the festivities with her husband Michael. “We have attended every year without fail for over 20 years.”
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra took to the stage to perform a selection of patriotic music culminating with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Cannons by the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery completed the performance as a fireworks finale lit up the sky.
Alexandria dates its founding to July 13, 1749, with the start of an auction selling the first lots to the public. Earlier that year, a young George Washington acted as a surveyor in laying out the town into 84 lots along 10 streets around a central market square. Washington would go on to recruit his first soldiers in Market Square for his first initial campaign of the French and Indian War and in 1763 he was chosen as a town trustee.
First time attendees included the Habibzada family, refugees from Afghanistan who arrived in Alexandria in January.
“We love Alexandria,” said Lativa Habibzada. “We are very excited to be here.”
Henry Joslyn, 3, enjoys the festivities celebrating Alexandria’s 275th birthday July 13 at Oronoco Bay Park
Fireworks light up the sky over the Potomac River as part of the City of Alexandria’s 275th birthday celebration July 13 at Oronoco Bay Park.
Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. hands out cupcakes to attendees at the 275th birthday celebration July 13 at Oronoco Bay Park.
Cool treats help beat the heat at Oronoco Bay Park.
Angelique and Michael Gomez enjoy the 275th birthday celebration July 13 at Oronoco Bay Park.