Alexandria, VA – The crowds began arriving early. The air hung thick with humidity, heavy thunderstorms dancing around the edges but just narrowly missing Alexandria. Close to 15,000 people came with their blankets and chairs and picnic baskets, filling up every corner of Oronoco Bay Park. The expansive lawn was ringed with vendors selling dinner, beer, and sparkly trinkets.
It was time for the city of Alexandria’s birthday extravaganza. The port city celebrated its 276th birthday and the USA’s 249th Saturday July 12 at Oronoco Bay Park, overlooking Old Town’s waterfront. The city pulls out all the stops for this annual free celebration, offering a night of free cupcakes, concert, and the grand finale, an elaborate fireworks display over the Potomac River. The audience, many of whom traveled from outside the city, came alive and began partying the night away in style.
At precisely 7:30 pm, Alexandria’s Town Crier Dr. Ben Fiore-Walker called the festivities to order in his trademark booming oratory. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a shimmering reflection on the river behind her, Mayor Alyia Gaskins took to the mic.
“We’ve got the best guest list in all of the country because we’ve got you for this exclusive party,” the mayor intoned. “I can tell you that this next trip around the sun is probably going to be our best year. It’s going to be our best because it’s not going to be defined by crazy and chaos. It’s going to be defined by this. By community, by connections, and by care.”
Standing on the stage with the mayor were Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and four of her city council colleagues. After Mayor Gaskin’s remarks, a line began forming for free cupcakes, stretching from one end of the long park to the other. The cupcakes “sold” like hotcakes. Exactly 2508 cupcakes were served up by the mayor and City Council members and were snapped up in 15 minutes…