ALEXANDRIA, VA CELEBRATES GEORGE WASHINGTON’S 276TH BIRTHDAY

02-08-2008

 

ALEXANDRIA, VA (February 6, 2008) – Old Town Alexandria is where George Washington attended church, conducted trade and entertained guests. To honor the Alexandrian who was, as described by Henry Lee, "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen," the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee and the City of Alexandria will be hosting over a dozen events in the month of February. Four large events will take place February 16-18.

 

The George Washington Birthday Classic 10-K Race and 2-K Fun Run benefiting the Alexandria Police Youth Camp will begin at 8:30 am on Saturday, February 16. The 10-K USATF certified race course travels along Eisenhower Valley and through Alexandria's parklands (Cameron Run, Holmes Run and Ben Brenman Park). The race, which will be timed by Pacers Events, Inc., is part of the 2008 Race Packet Grand Prix Series and begins just steps from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station.

 

On Saturday evening, a Birthnight Banquet & Ball in George Washington's honor will be held at Gadsby's Tavern, a tradition dating back to 1803. On Sunday, February 17, beginning at 10 am, Fort Ward Park will host a Revolutionary War battle reenactment between George Washington's Continental Army and British 'redcoats'.

 

On Monday, February 18, the City will shut down many of the streets Washington walked to hold the largest George Washington birthday parade in the United States. The parade starts at 1 pm at the intersection of Wilkes and South St. Asaph Streets. The reviewing stand is located next to Gadsby's Tavern Museum, at the intersection of South Royal and Cameron Streets. The parade route ends at North Fairfax and Gibbon Streets.

 

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Carlyle House, Christ Church, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and the Friendship Firehouse will be open for free tours on Monday, February 18. Also on Monday, a living history interpreter portraying Theodore Roosevelt, the 26^th U.S. President, will discuss issues of his day and answer questions from the audience at 11 am at The Lyceum, which will also be open for free tours.

 

Historic Mount Vernon will also join in the celebration with a grand birthday party for the first president with three performances of “America’s Smallest Hometown Parade,” spirited military demonstrations and a moving wreath laying ceremony at Washington’s tomb. All visitors are admitted free-of-charge on Monday, February 18.

 

Photos of the George Washington birthday parade are available at http://visitalexandriava.com/press/photos

 

For complete listings of George Washington celebration, visit www.WashingtonBirthday.org  http://oha.alexandriava.gov and www.mountvernon.org

 

For a complete listing of annual events in Alexandria, visit www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com

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