The Annual Friendship Firehouse Festival
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The Friendship Firehouse Festival
First Saturday in August
Join us on the 100 block of South Alfred Street. Learn about fire safety today and yesterday and see City firefighting equipment up close. There will be music, displays by community organizations, craft vendors, and food and beverages available. This family event is presented by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association and Historic Alexandria.
The Friendship Fire Company, established in 1774, was the first fire company in Alexandria. Today the Friendship Firehouse, built in 1855, is a museum open to the public. The Festival will be the last opportunity to see Friendship’s 1851 hand-operated suction engine – elaborately decorated with the company’s clasped-hands insignia – before it is sent for conservation treatment. The restoration is possible thanks to the generous support of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, Alexandria Association, Historic Alexandria Foundation, and many individual donors.
In addition to the day's outdoor events, festival participants will enjoy visiting the Friendship Firehouse Museum, originally built as a firehouse in 1855.
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association (FVFEA) is now a philanthropic organization focusing on fire-fighting history and fire safety. It remains active in community events, including the annual Festival, and supports historic preservation of the building and its collection.
Food and beverages are available. Children will receive free fire helmets and can visit the City's fire trucks. For more information, call 703.746.3891.
![Steam Engine on display outside of Friendship Firehouse Museum](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Steam-Engine.jpg?itok=U-nlef-Z)
![Adults and children walk on between vendor tents at the Friendship Firehouse Festival.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Street-North-View.jpg?itok=RQLkVVhl)
![An adult and children look into a City of Alexandria ambulance through the open rear doors.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Ambulance.jpg?itok=dl8aNxlI)
![Adults and children stand near a parked Alexandria fire truck and ambulance.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Engine-Ambulance.jpg?itok=JpOYs1ZS)
![Adults and children stand in line to sit in a fire truck.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Fire-Truck.jpg?itok=Gic3-GpM)
![Two musicians play a fiddle and a banjo on the street at the Friendship Festival.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Musicians.jpg?itok=4LmHQZqw)
![A child touches a tin lantern held by a museum staff member.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Hands-on-Table.jpg?itok=DsztvPoM)
![Four children with an adult seated at an outdoor table coloring.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Kids-Color.jpg?itok=9CxMxgcL)
![A child uses a hose to “extinguish” pretend flames painted on a miniature plywood house.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Kids-Water-Activity.jpg?itok=XjyZgbIp)
![City of Alexandria representatives pose for a photograph at the 2019 Festival while cutting a cake. From left to right: Acting Fire Chief Corey A. Smedley, Councilmember Amy Jackson, Councilmember Redella S. "Del" Pepper, Mayor Justin M. Wilson.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Cake.jpg?itok=8vmxzwiX)
![A family looks at items for sale at the Office of Historic Alexandria shop table.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-OHA-Shop.jpg?itok=O9lobVVP)
![Adults and children walk in the middle of the street between vendor tents at the Friendship Firehouse Festival.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Street-South-View.jpg?itok=y3Pp-P-N)
![Steam Engine on display outside of Friendship Firehouse Museum](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Steam-Engine.jpg?itok=U-nlef-Z)
![Adults and children walk on between vendor tents at the Friendship Firehouse Festival.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Street-North-View.jpg?itok=mBAFA7Nj)
![An adult and children look into a City of Alexandria ambulance through the open rear doors.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Ambulance.jpg?itok=w_xRq1bo)
![Adults and children stand near a parked Alexandria fire truck and ambulance.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Engine-Ambulance.jpg?itok=qammmewW)
![Adults and children stand in line to sit in a fire truck.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Fire-Truck.jpg?itok=6NuFnAO7)
![Two musicians play a fiddle and a banjo on the street at the Friendship Festival.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Musicians.jpg?itok=J0qWBf78)
![A child touches a tin lantern held by a museum staff member.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Hands-on-Table.jpg?itok=-rpB3d26)
![Four children with an adult seated at an outdoor table coloring.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Kids-Color.jpg?itok=S6k3VNoV)
![A child uses a hose to “extinguish” pretend flames painted on a miniature plywood house.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Kids-Water-Activity.jpg?itok=HS93lPu3)
![City of Alexandria representatives pose for a photograph at the 2019 Festival while cutting a cake. From left to right: Acting Fire Chief Corey A. Smedley, Councilmember Amy Jackson, Councilmember Redella S. "Del" Pepper, Mayor Justin M. Wilson.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Cake.jpg?itok=OHLZOrI2)
![A family looks at items for sale at the Office of Historic Alexandria shop table.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-OHA-Shop.jpg?itok=HdPlsMcl)
![Adults and children walk in the middle of the street between vendor tents at the Friendship Firehouse Festival.](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-02/Friendship-Festival-Street-South-View.jpg?itok=qzLCHcff)
The 2022 Festival
The Festival on August 6, 2022 was the last opportunity to see Friendship’s 1851 hand-operated suction engine – elaborately decorated with the company’s clasped-hands insignia – before it is sent for conservation treatment. The restoration is possible thanks to the generous support of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association, Alexandria Association, Historic Alexandria Foundation, and many individual donors.
Friendship’s newly restored 1858 hose-reel carriage was also on exhibit. This ornate apparatus was made by local craftsman Robert F. Prettyman. It is painted midnight blue with white decorative piping, has gilded decorative shields flanking each side of the reel, red wheels decorated with blue and gold striping, and a brass lantern and bells.
See photos of the 2022 festival below.
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, Amoskeag Engine, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-pumper-2022-Zoophoria5.jpg?itok=uGXxNmqp)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, street view, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-street-2022-DeScipio9.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=eb4AuHP6)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, pumper, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-moving-pumper-2022_0.jpg?h=d54d56ac&itok=LhLrFnIy)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, loading pumper on truck, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-pumper-on-truck-2022.jpg?h=3280b110&itok=D6NjyQfI)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, trucks, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-trucks-2022-DeScipio2.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=toDW7TO3)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, truck with child, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-truck-2022-DeScipio14.jpg?h=99b35b11&itok=Yz8TY0sD)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, truck with child and firefighter, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-truck-2022-DeScipio7.jpg?h=99b35b11&itok=vVeLYYjT)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, truck with mother and child, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-firetruck-2022-Zoophoria7.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=V3ztbZed)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, ambulance, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-ambulance-2022-DeScipio10.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=gnI6d8hX)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, sheriff's vehicle, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-sherrif-car-2022-DeScipio11.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=Uxo40vTc)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, sheriffs, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-sheriff-2022-Zoophoria34.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=IJDMcIw8)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, cake, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-cake-2022-DeScipio6.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=9v9eqrYt)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, cake cutting, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-cake-2022-Zoophoria44.jpg?h=f2b8fc00&itok=FzLcBqxT)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, cake serving, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival%20Cake-2022.jpg?h=3280b110&itok=GwcBQfx0)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, musicians-2, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-musicians-2022-Zoophoria31.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=esNFuoL_)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, musicians, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-musicians-2022-DeScipio4.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=SZCcmGer)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, exhibits-firebucket, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-exhibit-2022-Zoophoria17.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=Ojs7YvqV)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, exhibits-capes, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-exhibit-2022-Zoophoria20.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=T3ImkdrH)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, meeting room, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-exhibit-2022-Zoophoria21.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=uRMkGLhc)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio8.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=84T_TSbY)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio1.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=vxuHsy9L)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio5.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=6oNJIcoR)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio12.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=g5fg56y4)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-Zoophoria1.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=pHlJxAhh)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity with intern, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-Intern-Derrick-Greene-2022.jpg?h=36b7d58c&itok=OXeZB3CV)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, Junior Docents, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-Junior-Docents-2022.jpg?h=3280b110&itok=ldPGBEaK)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, Prize Drop, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-prize-drop-2022-DeScipio13.jpg?h=99b35b11&itok=XMCXEw4C)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, booths, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-tent-2022-DeScipio3.jpg?h=62c404c8&itok=2cJ5HWJ_)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, Amoskeag Engine, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-pumper-2022-Zoophoria5.jpg?itok=uGXxNmqp)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, street view, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-street-2022-DeScipio9.jpg?itok=TEViQVmu)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, pumper, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-moving-pumper-2022_0.jpg?itok=UX9kQHuv)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, loading pumper on truck, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-pumper-on-truck-2022.jpg?itok=mhn5wdpA)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, trucks, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-trucks-2022-DeScipio2.jpg?itok=9vjBw9hR)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, truck with child, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-truck-2022-DeScipio14.jpg?itok=PwJEPzYx)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, truck with child and firefighter, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-truck-2022-DeScipio7.jpg?itok=iTVWITK9)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, truck with mother and child, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-firetruck-2022-Zoophoria7.jpg?itok=9eLfr5un)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, ambulance, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-ambulance-2022-DeScipio10.jpg?itok=P6qK6Gub)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, sheriff's vehicle, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-sherrif-car-2022-DeScipio11.jpg?itok=SKnIbwL6)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, sheriffs, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-sheriff-2022-Zoophoria34.jpg?itok=qJL-JE3r)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, cake, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-cake-2022-DeScipio6.jpg?itok=i0Iy5Lq3)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, cake cutting, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-cake-2022-Zoophoria44.jpg?itok=vhMk0ehy)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, cake serving, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival%20Cake-2022.jpg?itok=bIwprwXX)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, musicians-2, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-musicians-2022-Zoophoria31.jpg?itok=WEIswgoy)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, musicians, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-musicians-2022-DeScipio4.jpg?itok=W11U6hS4)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, exhibits-firebucket, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-exhibit-2022-Zoophoria17.jpg?itok=t-skHEtc)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, exhibits-capes, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-exhibit-2022-Zoophoria20.jpg?itok=lUF3jYBN)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, meeting room, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-exhibit-2022-Zoophoria21.jpg?itok=DK-OwLxh)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio8.jpg?itok=7lTCcs4x)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio1.jpg?itok=ljkSmqC7)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio5.jpg?itok=5xr5GxLx)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-DeScipio12.jpg?itok=HERmS3Kr)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-hose-2022-Zoophoria1.jpg?itok=CWXnM63b)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, hose activity with intern, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-Intern-Derrick-Greene-2022.jpg?itok=ONKgEDFl)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, Junior Docents, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-Junior-Docents-2022.jpg?itok=5q8M60TK)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, Prize Drop, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-prize-drop-2022-DeScipio13.jpg?itok=WYK7hFKF)
![Friendship Firehouse Festival, booths, 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_item/public/2022-08/Friendship-Firehouse-Festival-tent-2022-DeScipio3.jpg?itok=N8YCTtVR)
In the News
- All Fired Up: Friendship Firehouse Festival celebrates 25 years. By Jeanne Theismann, Alexandria Gazette Packet, August 12, 2021.
- The Friendship Firehouse Festival is Back! The Zebra, August 2021.