George Washington Birthday Parade, More Events In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — George Washington's birthday falls on Feb. 22 and Presidents' Day on Feb. 17, but the celebration is a nearly month-long event in his adopted hometown of Alexandria. The city goes all out for Washington's birthday every year, given that his Mount Vernon estate is eight miles south of Alexandria, where he frequently stopped and stayed.

We've rounded up the events going on to honor the first president from late January through much of February. Among the highlights are the George Washington Birthday Parade, the Cherry Challenge, free admission days at Mount Vernon, George Washington's Birthnight Banquet & Ball and more. Full details on Washington's birthday celebration are posted at http://washingtonbirthday.com.

Cherry Challenge: Jan. 26-Feb. 9

Restaurants around Alexandria

As we recall the legend involving George Washington and the cherry tree, more than 50 Alexandria restaurants are creating cherry-centric dishes. Sample dishes from restaurants such as Cheesetique, Fontaine, Lost Boy Cider, Sonoma Cellar and Union Street Public House and rate your favorite dishes. Winners are recognized at the George Washington Birthday Parade.

George Washington’s Alexandria Tours: Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Begins at Torpedo Factory Art Center’s south entrance, 105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA

Alexandria boasts 140 sites associated with the first president. Explore Old Town Alexandria as Washington saw it during this free 90-minute walking tour. A guide will show you sites associated with Washington and his close colleague. No advance reservations are required. Contact 703-599-4010 for more information.

Chocolate with General Washington: Feb. 8, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA

Children and accompanying adults are invited to spend an hour with General Washington talking about the events of the revolution, asking questions of our first citizen and enjoying hot chocolate and delicious comestibles. This event is free.

George Washington’s Birthnight Banquet & Ball: Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal St, Alexandria, VA

This popular ball celebrates Washington's birthday, 1799 style. The evening includes an 18th-century banquet, English country dancing, dessert collation, character re-enactors plus the General and Mrs. Washington. Period costume is optional, but "after-five" attire is encouraged. The cost is $150 per ticket. $175 per person ticket includes dinner in the same room with the Washingtons. $275 per person ticket reserves your spot at a table with the Washingtons for dinner. The event is alread sold out for 2020.

George Washington Birthday Parade: Feb. 17, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria

The nation’s largest George Washington Birthday Parade runs one mile through Old Town Alexandria. The parade starts on Fairfax Street at Gibbon Street, turns left on Queen Street and goes back down Royal Street. The reviewing stand is at King and Royal Streets, and the parade ends at Royal and Wilkes Street.

This year's parade grand marshal is RADM Robert Shumaker (ret.) who had a distinguished career in the United States Navy and was a rear admiral at the Pentagon. A fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, he was shot down on a mission and spent the next eight years as a POW. This year’s parade is dedicated to Kathleen Kelly, a volunteer for Historic Alexandria for more than 30 years who died in 2019. The theme of this year's parade is "Selfless Service to Country." For more information, visit washingtonbirthday.com/parade.

Hunt for Washington: Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Parade Reviewing Stand, King and Royal Streets, Alexandria

Enjoy a fun and challenging 90-minute hunt to uncover clues about Alexandria and George Washington. The hunt will take you to a few of the places in Alexandria associated with the first president, providing fun facts about the Washington and visits to several historic sites around Old Town. Pick up your clue sheet at the Parade Reviewing Stand after 10 a.m. There are prizes and mementos associated with this event.

Concert at Market Square: Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Market Square, 300 King St, Alexandria, VA

Enjoy a one-hour concert by the parade marching band units and other musical units before the George Washington Birthday Parade.

Armed Forces Community Covenant Ceremony: Feb. 17, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Market Square, 300 King St, Alexandria, VA

Salute our nation’s veterans and active military, and sign the community covenant document showing your support for our armed forces and their families at this special ceremony at the Parade Reviewing Stand adjacent to Market Square.

Breakfast & Meeting of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association: Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

The Westin Alexandria Old Town, 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314

Meet special guests and enjoy a hearty breakfast with members of this historic association at this annual tradition. Be there for the first appearance of the day of General and Lady Washington and a talk by a renowned special guest. Tickets are $40. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.FriendshipFireCo.org.

Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Mount Vernon: Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA

Celebrate the Presidents' Day holiday with a presidential tribute featuring honored guests, wreath laying at Washington’s tomb and remarks given by esteemed speakers during the Official Observance Ceremony of George Washington’s Birthday. Continental soldiers will conduct a marching drill, fire their guns and charge at their enemy in a military demonstration, and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps will play patriotic music once the smoke clears. The Washington family will be on hand to tell stories about past celebrations of the General’s birthday, including the first public celebration and the gathering during the winter encampment at Valley Forge. Admission is free on Feb. 17. For more information, visit Mount Vernon's website.

Lecture: George Washington: Commander-in-Chief: Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal St, Alexandria, VA

Professor Peter Henriques will examine how George Washington, despite his limited experience and numerous mistakes, was somehow able to overcome obstacles to win independence for the new country he committed himself to without reserve. The lecture will mention Washington's view of a professional army, the need to win over the general populace and the necessity of civilian control of the military, as well as how Washington saved the American cause with his actions at Trenton and Princeton. Tickets are $12 per person and $10 for Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society members and volunteers. Visit AlexandriaVA.gov/Shop to buy tickets.

George Washington Symposium: Feb. 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA

The George Washington Symposium is held annually on Washington's birthday to provide the public with enlightening contemporary research on the life of George Washington. The theme of the 2020 George Washington Symposium is "George Washington’s Construction of the United States Capitol." The lectures begin at 1 p.m. in the memorial's theater. Admission is free. For more information and the speaker details, visit www.GWMemorial.org.

George Washington’s 288th Birthday: Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA

Celebrate the first president of the United States with free admission to Mount Vernon. General Washington greets his guests in the historic area, and the Sons of Liberty provide birthday music. Try birthday cake in the Vaughan Lobby and hear the Air Force Strings perform in the Smith Auditorium.

Annual Washington’s Birthday Gala: Feb. 22, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA

This gala is a formal features a reception at 5 p.m., entertainment in the Memorial Theater at 6:30 p.m. and 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. The event is formal (white tie optional). Tickets are $200. Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, visit www.GWMemorial.org or call 703-683-2007.