Wine Festival, Garden Sales Among Spring 2022 Events In Greater Alexandria

MOUNT VERNON, VA — Spring is coming this weekend, and that means there are plenty of seasonal events to attend in the greater Mount Vernon area.

The area boasts a wealth of historic landmarks hosting events from George Washington's Mount Vernon to River Farm. Residents can check out garden sales, historical re-enactments, and events from Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck.

Here are some spring events to put on your calendar. If you know of any other events, leave a comment below or send an email to Emily.Leayman@patch.com.

Needlework Show at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

March 2 to 31 (except Tuesdays), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA

The 59th Annual Woodlawn Needlework Show has a theme of "common threads," focusing on the things that connect communities and people. Admissions is $15 for adults, $6 for K-12 students and free for children 5 and under.

NSO Concert Series at Mount Vernon

March 15 and April 5, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA

Listen to members of the National Symphony Orchestra play during a concert series at Mount Vernon. Learn about the history of Mount Vernon before enjoying intimate chamber music performed by members of the National Symphony Orchestra. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and are followed at 8 p.m. by a reception of champagne and chocolates with the musicians. Admission is $65 per concert.

New exhibit opening - Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon

Opening March 26 to public, member preview from March 23 to 25

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA

This exhibit looks at how Mount Vernon's landscape has transformed, from Native settlements to John Washington’s 1674 land patent, to George Washington’s work on the house and grounds. The exhibit includes fine and decorative arts owned by George and Martha Washington and items used and owned by enslaved people. See a video preview of the exhibit.

Ides of Bark Dog Festival

March 27, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Grist Mill Park, 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA

Bring your furry friends to this event with games, vendors, food, and more fun. The Fairfax County Police Department K-9 unit will be on site for demonstrations. Residents have the chance to register their dog with Fairfax County for $10 with proof of a current rabies shot. Admission to the event is free. The event is hosted by Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck.

Spring Garden Market at River Farm: April 8-9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: River Farm, 7931 E Boulevard Dr, Alexandria, VA

Mark the start of gardening season with the American Horticultural Society at its Spring Garden Market at River Farm. AHS expects over 40 vendors will offer a large selection of plants, including vegetable seedlings, natives, and pollinators. There will also be garden art, tools, books, and other horticultural accessories, available, and master gardeners will be present to take questions. There will be limited carts and wagons, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own. Admission is $20 per car parking or free for American Horticultural Society members.

Fresh Bread from Half Crown Bakehouse

Apr. 7 to 10, May 23 to 25, additional weekends in 2022

Learn about the 18th-century baking process with Mount Vernon resident baker, Justin Cherry of Half Crown Bakehouse.

• Each loaf is baked in a reproduction 18th-century clay oven and made of grains authentic to the time period, and, when possible, ground at George Washington's Gristmill.
• Culinarian historian Justin Cherry is Mount Vernon's Resident Baker and is the chef and owner of the Half Crown Bakehouse, which specializes in colonial foodways.
• Cherry was a 2019 Fellow at the Washington Library. His research focused on the 18th-century foodways culture at Mount Vernon.

George Washington Whiskey Tasting

Saturdays, April 16 to May 28

George Washington's Gristmill, 5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA

Try one of Mount Vernon's one-of-a-kind distilled spirits, earn about George Washington's whiskey and how spirits are distilled today, and tour the Distillery and Gristmill.

4th Annual Environmental Expo

April 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fort Hunt Park, 8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA

This free family-friendly event will have exhibitors, workshops, live music, live reptile and owl programs, electric vehicles, nature walks, a junior ranger program, recycle right, touch-a-truck, compost drop-off, CTV robot demonstrations, purple glass recycling bin, giveaways and more. Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck will host the event.

Mount Vernon Historic Plant and Garden Sale

April 23 and 24, member preview April 22

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA

Shop for heirloom vegetables, herbs and annual flowers, as well as native perennials, trees, and shrubs grown in Mount Vernon's greenhouses. The exclusive General's Choice line features plants propagated from seeds or cuttings collected from plants growing on George Washington's estate.

Revolutionary War Weekend

April 30 and May 1

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA

Mount Vernon's 12-acre field turns into a battleground as Continentals, Redcoats, and Hessians perform military drills, cavalry demonstrations and 18th-century tactics. Meet the soldiers encamped at Mount Vernon, greet General Washington, seethe Museum of the American Revolution's replica of General Washington's War Tent, and visit with camp followers.

Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
May 13 to 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This popular event features samples of wine from Virginia wineries. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River and tour the mansion after hours.

SEE ALSO: Check Out These Spring 2022 Events Around Alexandria