Alexandria kicks off yearlong America 250 commemoration at the Lyceum
City leaders preview tall ships festival, parade and new exhibits honoring the nation's semiquincentennial
With a three-huzzah cheer led by Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker, the city of Alexandria on Monday launched its yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
About 100 people gathered at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum for the kickoff event, where Mayor Alyia Gaskins and other civic and business leaders outlined a slate of signature events stretching from this weekend’s George Washington Birthday Parade through Independence Day celebrations in July and beyond.
“Our history mattered not just in 1776 or 1996. It matters now in 2026,” Gaskins told the crowd. “We have played a unique role in being connected to and shaping the political, the culture, the economic and social opportunities across this country.”
The Lyceum was chosen as the venue because it served as the George Washington Bicentennial Center in 1974, one of the first of its kind in the nation, Gaskins said.
The centerpiece of Alexandria’s America 250 calendar is Sails on the Potomac, a three-day waterfront festival June 12-14 that will bring four tall ships to the city alongside the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest. City officials emphasized that Alexandria will host the only tall ship event in the D.C. metro region.
“When the tall ships come to Alexandria, everybody comes to Alexandria,” said Charlotte Hall, a longtime Alexandria business leader who heads the Old Town Business and Professional Association.
Liz Williams, deputy director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, said the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest will expand its programming to three days as part of Sails on the Potomac, celebrating Alexandria’s musical past, present and future alongside the tall ships.
Each day will carry a distinct theme: Americana roots on Friday, American jazz and poetry on Saturday and Future Sounds of America on Sunday. A fireworks display is planned for Saturday night.
Todd O’Leary, president and CEO of Visit Alexandria, said the commemoration presents a significant economic opportunity. He cited tourism industry research showing nearly a third of Americans are planning travel around America 250 events.
“At Visit Alexandria, we say that this city’s stories are in fact the country’s stories,” O’Leary said. He noted the organization has already secured coverage from outlets including Afar, Coastal Virginia Magazine and a syndicated piece that reached 100 publications.
The city’s event calendar begins this week. A Historic Happy Hour at Chadwick’s is planned for Thursday, with 10% of proceeds supporting the 250th commemoration. The George Washington Birthday Parade — billed as the nation’s oldest parade honoring the first president — follows Saturday, from 2 to 4 p.m. through Old Town.
Other signature events include the Alexandria Forum symposium “Nothing But Independence” on March 21, examining Alexandria’s role in the Revolutionary War; a new exhibit at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum exploring women-owned businesses during the Revolution; and the Alexandria Juneteenth Festival on June 19.
Gaskins said the commemoration would be deliberate in telling a complete history. When tall ships arrive, she said, visitors will also be invited to Freedom House, Douglass Cemetery and other sites of African American significance.
“We recognize that when everyone sees these ships, it doesn’t invoke the same emotions in each person, from the goods that were on those ships as well as the people who were carried on those ships,” Gaskins said.
Williams closed the program by reading from the Declaration of Independence and reflecting on the contradictions of the nation’s founding.
“The history books often tell us about the Founding Fathers who raised British tyranny, forging a new path,” Williams said. “We know today that this history is more nuanced, complex and misses some key players.”
Founded in 1749, Alexandria predates the nation and served as the adopted hometown of George Washington. The city played a role in the drafting of the Fairfax Resolves, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Councilman John Taylor Chapman, Councilwoman Canek Aguirre and Councilman Abdel Elnoubi, as well as former Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and former council member Frank Fannon.
The kickoff event was hosted by the Office of Historic Alexandria. More information about the America 250 programming is available at alexandriava.gov/america250.