Northern Virginia is fortunate to be home to George Washington, Revolutionary War hero and the first President of the United States, just some of many other noteworthy accomplishments. The City of Alexandria and Fairfax County host annual events throughout the month of February celebrating George Washington’s birthday. Every year the events change and new activities are added. The schedule of events for 2018 is below.
Alexandria Celebrates Washington’s Birthday throughout February!
The “Cherry Challenge”
The “Cherry Challenge” is a competition among the finer restaurants in Alexandria. Each restaurant develops its own cherry cocktail, appetizer, entrée, and/or dessert, in honor of our distinguished native son, of course! The competing restaurants and their entries will be listed on the website below and the winners will be announced on Parade Day. Dates: January 28 through February 11, 2018. For more information, go to: www.washingtonbirthday.net
“Walking with Washington”
Did you know that there are over 140 places in Alexandria that are associated with George Washington? This tour is designed to show you some of them and expand your knowledge of Washington and Alexandria, his home town. Dates: Every Sunday in February (4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th, 2018). Ticket Price: Free! Advance reservations not required. Time: 2 p.m. (tour lasts about ninety minutes). Location: Meet at the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King St, Alexandria 22314. Status: for status information go to www.washingtonbirthday.net or call (703) 829-6640.
18th Century Dance Classes
In preparation for the Birthnight Ball, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors. Dates: Dates & Times to be determined. Location: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St.; phone: (703) 746-4242. To register, go to: www.alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern
Birthnight Banquet & Ball
You are invited to the re-creation of this famous celebration of Washington’s Birthday set in the year 1799. The evening includes an 18th-century banquet, English country dancing, dessert collation, character re-enactors, and General and Mrs. George Washington. Period costume optional; “after-five” attire encouraged. To attend the Ball only, please arrive at 9 p.m.
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2018 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Location: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Ticket Price: Tiered pricing for this event. Advance reservations required. To purchase tickets, go to:
www.alexandriava.gov/shop. Site Contact: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, telephone (703) 746-4242. Status: for status information go to www.washingtonbirthday.net or call (703) 829-6640.
Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Schedule for 2018
Revolutionary War Reenactment at Fort Ward Park
Historic camp and tactical demonstrations throughout the day including a Revolutionary War skirmish between the
Redcoats and the Colonial Army at 2 p.m. Date: Sunday, February 18, 2018; Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road Ticket Price: Free. Registration is not required. Site Contact: Fort Ward Museum; telephone (703) 838-4848. For more information, go to: www.washingtonbirthday.net. Status: for status information go to www.washingtonbirthday.net or call (703) 829-6640.
Parade Day!
Monday February 19, 2018
Breakfast & Meeting of the Friendship
Veterans Fire Engine Association. Meet special guests, and enjoy a hearty breakfast with members of this historic association. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Ticket Price: $35. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
www.friendshipfireco.org. Speaker: To be announced. Location: the Alexandrian Hotel (formerly the Hotel
Monaco) 480 King Street, Alexandria 22314.
Status: for status go to www.washingtonbirthday.net or call (703) 829-6640.
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution. Organized by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution. Colonial military and civilians honor the soldiers of the Revolution. Time: 11:00 a.m. to Noon. Ticket Price: Free. Location: Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 So. Fairfax Street, Alexandria. Status: for status go to www.washingtonbirthday.net/status or call (703) 829-6640.
Armed Forces Community Covenant Ceremony.
Join us as we honor our Nation’s Veterans, Active Military, and their families with music, games and activities for children, military vehicles, demonstrations, informational booths and displays Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ticket Price: Free. Location: Parade Reviewing Stand at Market Square (King & Royal Streets) Status: for status information go to www.washingtonbirthday.net or call (703) 829-6640. For information go to www.washingtonbirthday.net
George Washington Birthday Parade
The largest parade in the USA that celebrates Washington’s Birthday – in his chosen hometown! Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Old Town Alexandria. Grand Marshal: To be announced. Status: for status go to
www.washingtonbirthday.net or call (703) 829-6640.
On PARADE DAY, PARKING is FREE at the parking lots adjacent to the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station; from here, a FREE DASH shuttle bus will take you downtown and back from 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M. The free KING STREET TROLLEY service will also be in operation all day until 11 p.m. from King Street Metro Station going east and west along King Street. For DASH service to other events, call (703) 746-3274 or go to www.dashbus.com.
Alexandria George Washington Birthday Celebration Schedule for 2018
Historic Alexandria sites “Open Houses”: Admission is free to these sites on Parade Day…in honor of the birthday of George Washington. For more information, please contact each individual site.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum: 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria. Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum – phone 703) 746-4242
Friendship Firehouse Museum: 107 S. Alfred St., Alexandria. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: Friendship Firehouse Museum – (phone (703) 838-3891
The Lyceum: 201 S. Washington St.; Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact: The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum – phone (703) 838-4994
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum: 105-107 S. Fairfax St.; Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, telephone (703) 746-3852
George Washington’s Birthday – Thursday, February 22, 2018
“I Cannot Tell A Lie: Myths about George Washington that Should be Discarded”
Abigail Adams said that truth was George Washington’s best eulogy. Professor Peter Henriques examines a number of the various myths that have developed and which keep us from better understanding the remarkable individual who was our first and greatest president. Doors open at 7 p.m., lecture begins at 7:30.
Tickets: $12 per person or $10 for Society members and volunteers. Location: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St.; phone: (703) 746-4242
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Events Organized by the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. For information about the following events, please go to http://gwmemorial.org or contact Shawn Eyer, Director of Communications, via e-mail at seyer@gwmemorial.org.
Annual George Washington Symposium at 1:00 p.m., George Washington Symposium in the North Lodge Room. Speakers and program to be announced. Free.
Annual George Washington Birthday Gala. Attire: Formal (White Tie Optional.) Tickets $125, reservations required. Reception at 5:30 p.m., entertainment in the Memorial Theater at 6:45 p.m., Banquet in the Memorial’s Grand Masonic Hall at 7:30 p.m. The Presentation of the George Washington Memorial Award will take place during the banquet. Tickets for the Gala are $125, and may be purchased at website, http://gwmemorial.org.
Visit washingtonbirthday.net for the most up to date information by the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee.
The committee maintains a 24-hour phone line that will report any change of status or the cancellation of any event (in case of inclement weather, for instance). Call the Events Hotline (703) 829-6640 at any time.