The Alexandria Brief: Friday, April 3

Good morning, Alexandria. It's Friday, April 3— the 93rd day of 2026, with 272 days left in the year.

A correction: Yesterday, I sent students back to class on Monday. Parents, I apologize for the false hope. Monday is a teacher work day — students return Tuesday. But seriously, I apologize for the error.

It's Easter weekend, and there's no shortage of egg hunts: Lee-Fendall House, Charles Houston, Warwick Village, Angel Park, and an underwater hunt at Chinquapin for the adventurous.

Play ball: The Nationals open their home season today against the Dodgers at 1:05 p.m. Four Alexandria restaurants and breweries have spots inside the stadium.

Here's what you need to know.

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1️⃣ Taste of Alexandria: Four local favorites are serving up at Nationals Park for opening day

Taqueria Picoso stand in Section 116 at Nationals Park. (Photo by Ryan Belmore)

Heading to Nationals Park this season? You won't have to leave Alexandria's flavors behind.

Four restaurants and breweries with Alexandria roots have spots inside the stadium as the Washington Nationals open their 2026 home season today against the Los Angeles Dodgers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

2️⃣ Spring2ACTion returns April 22 for its 16th year, aiming to raise $2.5 million for Alexandria nonprofits

Spring2ACTion returns April 22, powering collective giving across Alexandria (ACT for Alexandria)

ACT for Alexandria's annual Spring2ACTion giving day returns Wednesday, April 22, with a goal of engaging 10,000 donors and raising $2.5 million for 191 local nonprofit organizations.

Now in its 16th year, Spring2ACTion is the only citywide giving day in the region. Last year, nearly 8,000 donors raised a record $3.1 million for more than 190 participating organizations. Since its founding in 2011, the event has raised more than $26 million for the Alexandria nonprofit community.

This year's campaign comes as local nonprofits face mounting pressure — navigating increased demand for services alongside funding challenges and reduced capacity.

3️⃣ RiverRenew opens pocket park along Hooffs Run corridor

RiverRenew construction crews celebrate the opening of the Hooffs Run Pocket Park. (AlexRenew)

Construction crews celebrated the opening of Hooffs Run Pocket Park this week, a small green space created as part of the RiverRenew program led by AlexRenew, Alexandria's wastewater treatment provider.

The park is located at the intersection of Dangerfield Road and Duke Street. From there, visitors can continue exploring Hooffs Run along the adjacent African American Heritage Park.

4️⃣ City to seek public input on youth sports and athletic facility access April 13

The City will host a community meeting to discuss and receive public feedback on youth sports and access to athletic facilities through the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) on Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m. (City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents will have a chance to shape the future of youth sports in the city at a community meeting on Monday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities will host the session to share information on how athletic facilities are currently used and allocated, review existing sports affiliate and community athletic facility use policies, and gather feedback from residents and Youth Sports Advisory Board stakeholders.

5️⃣ What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: April 3-5

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner continues this weekend at The Little Theatre of Alexandria (The Little. Theatre of Alexandria)

It's Easter weekend in Alexandria, and there's no shortage of egg hunts to choose from — just keep an eye on the forecast.

Saturday brings hunts at Lee-Fendall House, Charles Houston Recreation Center, Warwick Village, and Angel Park, plus an underwater egg hunt at Chinquapin for the adventurous. Start your Saturday with breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Theismann's or wrap up the weekend with Easter brunch at Hank's Oyster Bar.

Looking for something a little darker? The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum offers its Poisons Tour on Saturday evening. And wine lovers can check out the grand opening of DCANTER on Saturday.

Here's everything on the calendar this weekend.

📰 In brief

Alexandria Celebrates Women will host a pinwheel garden planting for Child Abuse Prevention Month at Charles Hill Park today at 12 p.m. (The Alexandria Brief)

Dog lovers, mark your calendars. The Del Ray Dog Fest returns Sunday, April 12. (The Alexandria Brief)

Alexandria residents can safely dispose of expired and unneeded medications at the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. (The Alexandria Brief)

One of Alexandria's fare-free buses is getting a new look — and a new mission. (The Alexandria Brief)

Poll: Virginia voters narrowly support redistricting to favor Democrats (Washington Post)

Your ultimate guide to commemorating America’s 250th Birthday in Alexandria. (Visit Alexandria)

African American history is recognized throughout the year in Alexandria—discover it firsthand through a special four-part adult field trip series. (City of Alexandria)

The City's Office of Housing is providing information about affordable rental opportunities in the City of Alexandria. (City of Alexandria)

The City’s Mobile Art Lab is getting a fresh new wrap, and they want you to help pick the design. (City of Alexandria)

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation on Thursday to "keep Virginia students safe at school and make sure Virginia teachers have the resources and training to respond to emergencies". (Governor Spanberger)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) on Thursday released the following statement on the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day". (Rep. Beyer)

April 21 Special Election: As of April 1, 5,151 residents have voted early in person, and 5,059 have voted by mail-in ballot (10,212 ballots have been sent). The ballot includes a contest for City Council as well as a proposed statewide constitutional amendment on redistricting. Early voting continues today at 132 N Royal Street. (City of Alexandria)

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Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 66 degrees.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

Sunrise at 6:49 a.m., sunset at 7:33 p.m. 12 hours & 44 minutes of sun. High tide at 10:03 a.m. and 10:34 p.m. Low tide at 4:06 a.m. and 4:48 p.m. The moon phase is a Waning Gibbous.

🗓️ Things To Do

11 a.m.: Essential Haze returns to Port City Brewing
11 a.m.: Good Friday Fish Fry at Mount Jezreel Baptist Church
12 p.m.: Fast and Fabulous art exhibit at Del Ray Artisans
12 p.m.: Alexandria Celebrates Women pinwheel garden planting and ceremony for Child Abuse Prevention Month at Charles Hill Park

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Sol Roots at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: 9th Gear at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Merlon Devine at 9 p.m.
Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
Del Ray Public House: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Epicure on King: Trotters Spring at 6:30 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Lille & The Lushtones at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Doll Apartments + Kick Rocks at 8 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Will Barkley at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Good Shot Jansen, Do Wrong, & Tentaclaus at 9 p.m.
Pork Barrel BBQ: DM Shift Live at 8:30 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Newmyer Flyer presents DREAM DISCS: A Tribute to VAN MORRISON’S “Moondance” & BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S “The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle” at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Practically Einstein at 9:30 p.m.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at 8 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

City Government: Open | Schools: Spring Break - No school for students | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard

📚 Alexandria Library

12 p.m.: Read 250 at Beatley Central Library — 250-minute readathon for ages 8-18

📜 On This Day in History

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