Community News

Let Loose: Have Fun in Alexandria This Weekend

Travel back to the 1790s on Saturday night at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. (Courtesy photo)

Alexandria, VA – The forecast looks nice again this weekend: full of sunshine and in the eighties. You can’t be it. Seems fall is late to arrive. There were plenty of events in last week’s column. Hope you enjoyed a few of them. Here’s what’s happening over the next few days.

Alexandria’s Annual Dog Swims

Saturday, September 20–Saturday, September 21

Friday: Charles Houston Rec Pool

901 Wythe Street

4-7 p.m.

Saturday: Old Town Pool

1609 Cameron Street

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Let the dogs rule the pool. Bring man’s (and woman’s best friend to either location to participate in the annual tradition. Dogs must weigh under 50 pounds. Reservations are required. Check out this Zebra article for more info.

PARK(ing) Day Event

Friday, September 20

9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Throughout Alexandria

Learn about the importance of green spaces in urban areas. The city will briefly turn parking spaces into “parklets” for the curious to explore. This is not only happening in our city. It’s a worldwide event! So come out and take part. Refreshments will be served.

Rock of Ages Music Benefit

Friday, September 20

Showtime: 8–9:30 p.m. ($10 donation suggested)

Del Ray Artisans

2704 Mount Vernon Avenue

Enjoy free live music! All donations go to Rock of Ages Music, a Del Ray organization providing music lessons to students who are cannot afford them.

Join the crowd at the King Street Art Festival. (Courtesy photo)

17th Annual King Street Art Festival

Saturday, September 21–Sunday, September 22

Day One: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Day Two: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (FREE)

Old Town

Starting on Washington Street and extending to the Waterfront

Enjoy this outdoor art gallery, which features the work of more than 200 artists from across the country. Enjoy music, activities, and more.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center (Courtesy Photo)

Second Annual Beer & Wine Torpedo Garden

Saturday, September 21–Sunday, September 22

Day One: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Day Two: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (FREE)

Torpedo Factory Art Center

105 N. Union Street

A companion to the King Street Art festival. Enjoy looking at displays on all three flours while tasting pours from Port City Brewery, Lost Boy Cider, and Sonoma Cellar. Check out this article in the Zebra about the 45th year of art in the Torpedo Factory.

Run for a good cause. Participate in the Arts on the Horizon 5K. (Courtesy photo)

Arts on the Horizon 5K Fundraiser

Saturday, September 21

8–11 a.m. ($25 for adults, $5 for kids)

Fort Hunt Park

8999 Fort Hunt Road

The second annual 5K supports Arts on the Horizon, a nonprofit theater for kids up to six years old. The fundraiser is fun for the whole family. To register, click HERE.

The Lee-Fendall House (Courtesy Photo)

The War of 1812 in Alexandria: A Walking Tour

Saturday, September 21

10 a.m.-12 p.m ($10 per person)

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

614 Oronoco Street

Take a walk while you learn about places in Old Town that played a role in the War of 1812. Wear comfortable sneakers. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

Classic Car Show

Saturday, September 21

All Day! (FREE)

Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum

201 S Washington Street

See Packards cars from the 1930s through the 1950s! For more info, click HERE.

Del Ray Farmers’ Market

Saturday, September 21

8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Mt Vernon & Oxford Avenues

If you live in Del Ray, you have a famers’ market right in your neighborhood. There are plenty of vendors offering great produce and other goods. To learn more, click HERE.

Old Town Farmers’ Market

Saturday, September 21

7 a.m.–12 p.m.

Alexandria City Hall

301 King Street

Enjoy the weekly farmers’ market, held at Market Square, for more than 260 years. Buy various edibles, including vegetables and fruits. You can also purchase paintings, flowers, and more. The variety of goods may surprise you. To learn more, click HERE.

Cinema Del Ray Presents “The Incredibles 2”

Saturday, September 21

Showtime: 7 p.m. (FREE)

Mount Vernon Recreation Center

2701 Commonwealth Avenue

The Incredibles 2” is the final showing of the 2019 season. Movie begins at sundown. View the trailer HERE.

Jane Austen Ball

Saturday, September 21

8–11 p.m. ($45 reservation required)

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

134 N Royal Street

Dance the night away at this 1790s-era ball! For more info, click HERE.

Alexandria Historic Breweries Tour

Saturday, September 22

2–4:30 p.m. ($28 per ticket)

Old Presbyterian Meeting House

323 S Fairfax Street

Here is your opportunity to explore alleyways, repurposed buildings, taverns, and more that played a part in Alexandria’s brewing businesses hundreds of years ago. The tour will be led by historian Garrett Peck, author of “Capital Beer: A Heading History of Brewing in Washington, D.C.” Tickets are on sale at the Alexandria Visitor Center. An optional happy hour will follow the tour with a cash bar.

Downton Abbey” Theme Tour

Sunday, September 22

2–3 p.m. ($10 per person)

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

614 Oronoco Street

In anticipation of the major motion picture, Lee-Fendall is hosting another “Downton Abbey”-themed tour. If you are a fan, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. For tickets and more info, click HERE.

fibre girl outside of fibre space, 1319 Prince St. (Photo by James Cullum)

No Sew Zipper Workshop with Ann Weaver

Sunday, September 22

12–2 p.m. ($50 per person)

fibre space

1319 Prince Street

Learn how to attach zippers to sweaters from an expert. For more info, click HERE.

Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

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