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This story was originally published at 7:26 a.m. on July 4. It was updated at 8:05 a.m. with additional information from the City of Alexandria on transportation, fireworks, and Independence Day safety.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence Saturday as a city older than the country it observes. Founded in 1749, the port city on the Potomac predates the United States by 27 years, and its Fourth of July programming Saturday runs alongside three active National Weather Service advisories.
Weather hazards
An Extreme Heat Warning runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, with heat index values expected to reach 110 to 115 degrees. A Code Purple Air Quality Alert issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality covers Northern Virginia all day. And the NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook warns of scattered severe thunderstorms possible during the afternoon and evening, some capable of producing damaging wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph.
The forecast for the Fourth: A high near 101 degrees, heat index up to 112, and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with storms most likely after 5 p.m. Sunday brings a high near 95, heat index up to 104, and a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
Cooling resources
The city's holiday-weekend cooling infrastructure remains in place. Two recreation centers are operating as cooling centers: Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe Street and Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue, both open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Carpenter's Shelter at 2355 A Mill Road is open through 7 a.m. Monday, July 6.
The DASH cooling bus at 417 King Street is open through 4 p.m. Sunday. Four city pools are open Saturday: Memorial, Old Town, and Warwick from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Most Historic Alexandria museums are open for regular Saturday hours; the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is open until 7 p.m. The Torpedo Factory Art Center and all Alexandria Library branches are closed.
Free Metro service tonight
Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess will be free to ride from 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4 through 2 a.m. Sunday, July 5. Service is expected to be busier than usual. Riders should check schedules, alerts, and closures at wmata.com before heading out.
The city is encouraging residents to take Metro, buses, bikes, or walk to Independence Day events instead of driving. Parking is expected to be limited across both D.C. and Alexandria. Anyone with a flight from Reagan National Airport this weekend should check flight status closely; America250 events in D.C. may affect schedules. Flight information is available at mwaa.com.
Fourth of July programming
The Rosemont Citizens Association holds its annual Fourth of July celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School, 600 Russell Road. The neighborhood tradition, held for more than five decades, includes decorated bikes, costumed pets, field games, food, and a noon flag ceremony.
At Gadsby's Tavern Museum, the "Hamilton's BFFs & Frenemies" specialty tour begins at 11 a.m. The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum runs its Apothecary Night Shift at 5 p.m.
Old Town Farmers' Market opens at 7 a.m. at Tavern Square; Del Ray Farmers' Market opens at 8 a.m. at Pat Miller Square.
Outside the city, George Washington's Mount Vernon estate hosts evening fireworks on July 4 following daytime programming tied to the semiquincentennial.
Ryan Belmore
Fireworks are illegal in Alexandria
It is illegal to buy, sell, store, or use fireworks in Alexandria — including sparklers and novelty items. Fireworks found inside the city can be confiscated. Anyone caught with fireworks could face a Class 1 misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both.
Residents who have fireworks they'd like to turn in without penalty can call 703-746-4311 and ask for the on-duty Fire Marshal. To report illegal fireworks, call the same number at any time.
Alexandria will not host a fireworks show this weekend, though fireworks from other cities in the region may be visible from Alexandria's waterfront. The city's own birthday fireworks will take place Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park.
The big celebration is on July 11
Unlike many communities that hold festivities on the Fourth, Alexandria has set its signature event for the following Saturday. The Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration runs 6 to 9:45 p.m. July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., marking the city's 277th birthday alongside the nation's 250th.
Free cupcakes will be handed out by members of City Council beginning at 8 p.m., a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will take place at 8:30 p.m., and the fireworks display is set for 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. The city has set a rain date of Sunday, July 12.
Safety information
The Alexandria Health Department advises that heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea, and dizziness. Heat stroke, a medical emergency requiring an immediate 911 call, includes extremely high body temperature, confusion, hot and dry skin, a rapid pulse, or unconsciousness.
The Air Quality Alert includes specific guidance for older adults, people with heart or lung conditions, and children: limit time outdoors, wear an N95 or KN95 mask if outdoors, keep windows closed, and use air conditioning's recirculate setting if available.
For non-emergency questions about cooling locations or city services, call Alex311 at 703-746-4311 or visit the Alex311 portal. For emergencies, including suspected heat stroke, call or text 911. Updated status information is available at the city's Current Alert Status page.
