PHOTOS: Alexandria Kicks Off 275 Anniversary Milestone at Waterfront Park
City Starts Party Three Months Early With Elaborate Celebration Saturday April 6, 2024
Alexandria, VA — The City of Alexandria turns 275 years old this summer and the party started early with day of events along the waterfront Saturday, April 6, to mark the landmark birthday.
“Hear ye, hear ye,” belted Benjamin Fiore-Walker, also known as Alexandria’s Town Crier for over 12 years. Wearing his period-correct stately costume, the Crier rang his bell and launched the occasion at high noon on the brilliant blustery day.
Hundreds of Alexandrians huddled at Waterfront Park for the major celebration with the wind whipping up sails on the Potomac, and gale force gusts churning the river into a bubbling froth.
The 56-year-old Fiore-Walker, who holds a PhD in neuroscience, and has a regular real job doing very important things, is also a history buff, and has been at the head of hundreds of events since starting his job as the Town Crier over 13 years ago. He is the city’s fourth town crier since 1976, and won the position after competing in a cry-off with other candidates.
“From a highly sought-after location for tourism, residential living and economic opportunity, to bustling streets with restaurants and shops, these are the faces of this thriving community,” he boomed, reading from a scroll. “We have streets named after royalty and in honor of the king, but in Alexandria it is not the only great thing. We are home to presidents, including the first!” Then he rang that familiar bell.
Mayor Justin Wilson and elected officials stood at attention, bracing and shivering against the wind. As the Town Crier concluded his opening declaration, the mayor quipped, “He has been doing this for 275 years and he doesn’t look a day over 250!”
Photo: Judith Fogel
Alexandria’s actual birthday celebration is in July when the city rolls out its signature outdoor festival. This summer’s extravaganza will be held on July 13, 2024 with the traditional birthday cake, concerts, and the crowning glory, fireworks exploding across the night sky in a blaze of shimmering metallic. But this year’s July commemoration promises to be bigger and better, with the city spending all year gearing up for the landmark anniversary.
Justin Wilson is the 88th mayor since the city’s birth 275 years ago. He heartily welcomed the crowd, calling Waterfront Park “Alexandria’s front yard.”
“We’ve had our ups and downs in our history, and we commemorate the good things and we commemorate the bad things. We commemorate that Alexandria was an important part of our nation’s history and the democracy that we celebrate today, and we celebrate those accomplishments.”
The mayor then addressed the downs.
“We commemorate the parts of our history that we are less proud of. The important role that we played in the trans-Atlantic and domestic slave trade, and we commemorate that history and we will continue to tell that story for generations to come.”
Wilson called attention to the many countries represented by the city’s strong immigrant presence. He noted that Alexandria was not always a welcoming haven to those who came to our shores from foreign lands. “We are always striving to be better, stronger, more true to our city’s ideals.” The mayor paid homage to the women on stage who serve in elected office, including women of color. “We recognize that throughout our history that was not always the case.”
At every chapter, we have made our city stronger, we have made our city better, and we will continue to do that, so that when we gather for our 300, I will not be mayor, but we will celebrate the incredible accomplishments that we have made.” — Mayor Justin Wilson
Mayor Wilson remembered the late former mayor Kerry J. Donley who presided over the last milestone birthday twenty-five years ago. Gesturing southward, Wilson reminded the audience that Donley helped negotiate the settlement for that “new” Woodrow Wilson Bridge, “sitting right over there.”
As the assembled guests rose slowly against the stiff April cold and drifted away to the next event, the wind simmered down, and the park began to fill up with partygoers. People wandered around the square, from booths to food vendors, to ice cream up the street that defied the weather, to the new art installation in Waterfront Park. Antique cars lined the foot of King Street.
Next stop on the day’s kickoff events was a ribbon cutting by the mayor and city officials at Robinson Landing for the new “Buried Ships of Robinson Landing” windowfront archaeology exhibit. The display features scale models of three historic vessels recently discovered on the same block as the exhibit.
“We are excited to present this exhibit to the community,” remarked Eleanor Breen, city archaeologist. “This collaboration with the Robinson Landing Property Owners Association allows us to bring history to life in a tangible and accessible way, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared maritime heritage.”
Moving south along the riverbank, Windmill Hill Park was next on the kickoff tour. With a nod to upcoming Earth Day April 22, the city dedicated the first of 275 trees to be planted across the city. These native species will provide shade, replenish gaps in the canopy, and refill beds and tree wells. Earlier that day, hearty residents braved the brisk winds and cleaned up the park shoreline.
Missed the kickoff? Come back July 13 for the big blowout bash. But there’s lots to see and do before and after that uber-festive evening. From now through September, you can take part in immersive historical walks, civic celebrations, educational programming, and plenty of other fun and fascinating events.
