The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 263rd and the USA’s 236th birthday on Saturday, July 7, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., located at the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton, and Madison Streets. Admission is free.

The celebration includes fun for the entire family, including musical entertainment, children’s activities, community exhibits, and birthday cake. The highlight of the evening is a concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Kim Allen Kluge presenting an explosive night of fun and fanfare featuring “Stardust on the Potomac.”

Fireworks close out the celebration featuring Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with cannon support by the United States Marine Corps, Basic Training School, Quantico, VA at 9:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, fireworks only will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 8 at 9:30 p.m.

Oronoco Bay Park has lawn seating, and participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food, such as ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, shaved ice and kettle corn will be available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic supper. No grilling allowed.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged bike, walk or take the Metrorail Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station and take King Street Trolley to the unit block of King St., a short walk to Oronoco Bay Park. The King Street Trolley will operate until midnight for individuals wishing to return to the King Street Metro following the celebration.

For DASH schedule information, call 703.746.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.

Parking is available at Simpson Properties Garage, 700 North Fairfax Street; Tishman Speyer, 44 Canal Center Plaza (at a special $5 fee); and Trammell Crow Company, 601 North Fairfax Street.

For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation or call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592.

Looking for some local fun for Memorial Day Weekend?

Everyone is invited the North Ridge Citizens’ Association  Wheel Day! Sunday May 27th beginning at 3 p.m. (Rain date:  May 28th)

Wheel on down Old Dominion Boulevard in style at the annual North Ridge Wheel Day Parade on Sunday, May 27th. Kids of all ages are invited to decorate their bike, trike, scooter, skates, stroller, doll carriage, or anything with wheels and join the fun. Arrive at 2:45 PM to line up for the parade of rolling children, which starts at Beverley Circle on Old Dominion Boulevard and rolls down hill to the Beverley Hills Church. Prizes and refreshments are included.

This event is FREE, open to all ages, and requires no reservations. Just show up your the decorated wheels of choice and have fun.

Many exciting additions have been made this year including a magician,, a cooling water mister, and appearances by the Alexandria Sheriff and Police departments!

What is Wheel Day? It’s a North Ridge tradition dating back to the early 1940s, Wheel Day was conceived by local Cub Scouts at the Beverley Hills Church and quickly evolved into an annual event.  Neighbors came to watch the parade of kids make their way through Beverley Hills with wagons, doll carriages, and bicycles all brilliantly decorated and made into floats.  According to the event also included a soap box derby for a number of years.  Wheel Day is now celebrated during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Bring the whole family to Alexandria’s 35th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 28, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St.

In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, located at 1108 Jefferson St.

Admission is free.

The performance schedule is as follows:

1 p.m. – The Commodores Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, featuring 18 of the Navy’s top jazz and “big band” musicians.

2:30 p.m. – Marcus Johnson Renowned jazz keyboardist, composer and producer who has been included among the ranks of contemporary jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Vanessa Williams.

3:30 p.m. – Barbara Martin Trio featuring Liz Barnes Features straight ahead jazz standards and original compositions by vocalist/guitarist, Barbara Martin and pianist Liz Barnes.

4:30 p.m. – Al Williams Alexandria favorite and 4 time WAMMIE Award winner, the latest, for 2010 Best Jazz Best Jazz Instrumentalist.

Waterfront Park features grass seating, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food, such as barbeque, fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones and funnel cakes are available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic lunch or supper. Grilling and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park.

Did you hear the news that a new survey from Amazon.com deems Alexandria the most well-read city in the United States!

This is based on sales of books, magazines and newspapers in both print and Kindle formats since last June. It’s the second time Amazon has conducted this survey. Last year we came in at 2nd place behind Cambridge, Mass.

Want to promote the love of reading with your little one? Be sure to check out this great blog from a Del Ray mom.

What to Read to Your Kids
Unique recommendations from a book-obsessed mom

Her blog posts will help you come up with an outstanding reading list for your kids. Be sure to add this to your favorites list and spark a love of reading in our children.