Alexandria's George Washington Birthday Parade 2022: Where, When To View

ALEXANDRIA, VA — No city celebrates George Washington's birthday quite like Alexandria. George Washington Birthday festivities have been happening throughout February with the highlight being the George Washington Birthday Parade on Monday, Feb. 21. The parade will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Town Alexandria.

The parade, held by the city's George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee, is the oldest and largest parade in the U.S. celebrating the first president's birthday. Participants include drum corps, color guards, bands, community and fraternal organizations, youth groups, local merchants, city dignitaries, General Washington and Martha Washington. The 2022 parade grand marshals are Alexandria’s health care workers and first responders.

The parade starts at S. Fairfax and Gibbon Streets and advances north up Fairfax Street to Queen Street. The route turns left on Queen Street for a block before heading south on Royal Street. It will pass the parade reviewing stand at King and N. Royal Street before ending at Wilkes and S. Royal Streets.

Before the parade, the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association Breakfast will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at The Westin Alexandria Hotel. The speaker is retired City Manager Mark Jinks, who will share "ghost stories" and other experiences. The event costs $45 or $400 for a table of 10. For more information and tickets, contact Bill Kehoe at kehoefd@aol.com.

Following the breakfast, a wreath laying will be held at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution. The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution will host the event at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.

From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., there will be an Armed Forces Community Covenant Ceremony at the parade reviewing stand at King and Royal Streets. The event will feature speakers including the Alexandria mayor and commanders of major military installations in the metropolitan area, and attendees can sign a covenant document and show your support for the military.

On parade day, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission prices will apply, but admission is free for City of Alexandria residents. Costumed guides at Gadbsy's Tavern Museum will share stories of visitors, including Washington himself. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum has guided tours available at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. that can be reserved at 703-746-3852.

For other Washington birthday events in Alexandria, visit washingtonbirthday.com. For events at George Washington's Mount Vernon, visit www.mountvernon.org.

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