Special Events Policy Update Approved By Alexandria City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — An update to Alexandria's special events policy was approved by Alexandria City Council Saturday, permanently allowing more frequent large events in Old Town Alexandria.

Among the changes in the policy was eliminating the limit on one large special event every other weekend in Old Town. Waivers have been granted to allow special events more than once every two weekends, but the amended policy allows events on consecutive weekends without permission from City Council.

The policy applies to Old Town events with attendance of more than 500 people between 5 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Sunday. Examples of large special events that happen in Old Town are the George Washington Birthday Parade, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Portside in Old Town festivals, Alexandria/USA Birthday Celebration, Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and First Night Alexandria.

Special events still need a permit from the city's Special Events Committee. Another change in the updated policy requires a special event permit application to be filed 180 days before an event rather than the current 90 days.

Diane Ruggiero, deputy director of Alexandria's Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, told City Council many of the 200 plus special events permits issued each year are repeat events like Art on the Avenue and Portside in Old Town.

"We understand that not everybody might have all of the logistics worked out for their event at that time," said Ruggiero. "But again, it gets the ball rolling. It brings awareness to all the departments and divisions that play a role in supporting that event and then permitting that event."

Ruggiero said the city works with event organizers who request a permit 30 days before an event, but that is an exception rather than the standard. But some planning requires more notice, such as Alexandria Police scheduling officers to support an event 60 days in advance.

The updated policy also adds rules for rallies and protests as well as weddings. For First Amendment rallies or protests, no notice or approval is needed from the city if they won't block pedestrians from using sidewalks, if attendance is under 50 people, is not in the street or happens spontaneously. The city does recommend advance approval, however.

For weddings, the city said a special use permit is needed for weddings with attendance over 50 people or exclusive use of a city park or public space.

According to Ruggiero, this is the first update to the policy since it was introduced in 2010. City staff have been working on a policy update for nearly a year, incorporating feedback from special events organizers, business associations and neighborhood associations.