Del Ray Area Fourth Of July 2017: Fireworks, Weather

ALEXANDRIA, VA — If you're looking for fireworks near Del Ray, you'll need to head to Old Town or beyond. But in the city itself, you won't find fireworks on Fourth of July. Every year, Alexandria holds off its Fourth of July fireworks a few days to have one big celebration on Saturday, July 8: Alexandria's birthday.

Alexandria is 27 years older than the United States, and it will mark 268 years with a huge waterfront party Saturday at Oronoco Bay Park. The event will include live music, food vendors and birthday cake, culminating with a spectacular fireworks show over the Potomac River.

WEATHER UPDATE: The weather forecast is a bit dicey. NBC Washington's Chuck Bell says storms will be a bit more likely south and west of the D.C. Metro area; he says rain is most likely between 2 and 7 p.m., but fireworks should be dry. The National Weather Service calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Look for mostly cloudy skies with a high near 93. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent. The chance of scattered rain showers before 2 am creeps up to 50 percent. Skies tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

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If you can't wait for the weekend to see fireworks, there are plenty of festivities happening at George Washington's Mount Vernon (3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway). After all, what better place is there to celebrate America's birthday than the home of our first president?

Mount Vernon will have fireworks displays the prior weekend on June 30 and July 1 from 6 p.m.-9:45 p.m. Come out for an evening of fireworks, mansion tours, musical performances and games. General and Mrs. Washington will be attending, and you can explore the estate while trying fun activities like bocce ball, 18th -century dancing and more. Plus you can see demonstrations on making 18th century ice cream and see a rare up-close glimpse of Washington's tomb. The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant will be selling food and drinks. Admission with a mansion tour is $34 for adults and $24 for children, and without a mansion tour is $30 for adults and $20 for children.

On Independence Day, Mount Vernon will host host another patriotic event from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. An American Celebration is a naturalization ceremony for new citizens with a special appearance from the Washingtons. There will be a keynote address, daytime fireworks, military re-enactments, a wreath laying ceremony, birthday cake and a performance by the National Concert Band. Admission is $20 for adults, $9 for children ages six-11 and free for children ages 0-5.

If you want to head into DC, there's plenty of festivities on Independence Day, including a parade, Capitol Fourth Concert and Smithsonian Folklife Festival. See full details about DC's Independence Day events here.

On Independence Day, Alexandria could see thunderstorms any time from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s. Patch will update this story with the latest weather forecast and any new information on Fourth of July and Alexandria's birthday celebration.

Do you have any Fourth of July traditions in the Del Ray area? Let us know in the comments.

Image by Victor Wolansky/courtesy of Visit Alexandria