Re-Enactors, Freemasons: See Photos Of Alexandria's George Washington Birthday Parade

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Presidents Day was marked in Alexandria with the nation's largest George Washington Birthday Parade, drawing spectators as well as Freemasons from the U.S. and abroad.

As Washington was a frequent visitor to Alexandria and even kept a house there, the city organizes annual events for his birthday. George Washington Birthday festivities have been happening throughout February as organized by the city's volunteer George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee with support from the George Washington Legacy Foundation.

The parade is typically the largest event the committee organizes. This year, the parade recognized another significant occasion: the 100th anniversary of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Freemasons were in Alexandria for the 100th anniversary of the memorial's cornerstone laying.

The parade had a special route to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial and a theme of "George Washington: The Man, The Mason, The Cornerstone of Our Republic." The grand marshal was George D. Seghers, executive director of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, to honor the cornerstone 100th anniversary.

“More than 15,000 people came to Alexandria in 1923 to place a cornerstone and to dedicate our city’s memorial in honor of George Washington and his virtues," said historian and Freemason Mark Tabbert in a statement. "Among them were President Calvin Coolidge, Chief Justice William Howard Taft, Virginia Governor E. L.Trinkle and representatives from around the world. One hundred years later, we return to lay a new cornerstone that shall remain built upon the same foundation of values George Washington instilled in our democracy and national character."

If you missed the parade, here are some photos:

The parade was sponsored by the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, George Washington Legacy Foundation, Marion E Moon Enterprises, Brothers Paving & Concrete and Simpson Development, Inc.; George Washington’s Preferred Hotel - Duvall House, Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22, Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, MediaTek USA Inc, Jeanne Jacob & Gerry Frank and McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc.

Alexandria's next big parade is just a few weeks away. The Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade organized by the Ballyshaners will be held Saturday, March 4 at 12:15 p.m.