City of Alexandria to Hold Annual USA & City Birthday Celebration July 11

July 1, 2009

News Highlights: 

• Event celebrates the United States’ 233rd and the City of Alexandria’s 260th Birthdays
• Grand Finale fireworks display, featuring Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture,” with cannon support by the United States Marine Corps, Basic Training School

More Information:

• Visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation 

The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 260th and the USA’s 233rd birthday on Saturday, July 11, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., located at the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton, and Madison Streets. Admission is free.

The main event features the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Kim Allen Kluge presenting an explosive night of fun and fanfare, featuring “Big Band Sound.” A list of scheduled activities follows:

• 4-7:30 p.m.: Community Exhibitors, children’s activities, and food and beverage sales
          
• 6 p.m.: Performance by the Alexandria Singers, pops chorus
 
• 7:30 p.m.: The Town Crier announces Mayor William D. Euille, who will present the Park and Recreation Commission’s CIVIC Awards. Following the awards presentation,  there will be a poetry reading by Mary McElveen, Alexandria’s Poet Laureate.
 
• 8 p.m.: Distribution of Birthday Cake by the Mayor and members of City Council
 
• 8:30 p.m.: "Big Band Sound," with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Kim Allen Kluge, Music Director
 
• 9:30 p.m.: Grand Finale fireworks display, featuring Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture” with cannon support by the United States Marine Corps, Basic Training School, Quantico, VA

Oronoco Bay Park has lawn seating, and participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food and beverages are available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic supper.  No grilling is allowed during the event. Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash. In the event of inclement weather, fireworks only will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 12 at 9:30 p.m.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metrorail Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station in Old Town and take the free King Street Trolley, DASH or Metro Buses to the park. The King Street Trolley will also operate on an extended schedule until midnight for individuals wishing to return to the King Street Metro following the celebration. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.

Parking is available at Simpson Properties Garage, 700 N. Fairfax St. (free); Tishman Speyer, 44 Canal Center Plaza ($5); and Trammell Crow Company, 601 N. Fairfax St. (free).

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Cheryl Lawrence, Special Events Supervisor at 703.838.4844 (TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.
 
For additional information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686, or visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.