This image depicts the Harrisonburg Hose Co. in the Firemen Parade in Alexandria Virginia back in 1921. Old Town has been the scene of many festivals, parades and activities down through the years.
Harrisonburg Hose Co. Firemen Parade Alexandria
Arts Festival in Old Town Alexandria
Arts Festival in Old Town
An Art Festival that took place on King St. in Old Town Alexandria
If you like street music, then you'll find no better spot to wander than Old Town Alexandria. Through-out the week, especially on weekends, musicians gather in Old Town at street corners and near the waterfront to play music for tips and applause. Most are highly talented professionals, some are learning to play their instrument in front of a crowd. I enjoy them both in different ways.
Here in Old Town Alexandria, you'll find everything from a lonely saxophone, to steel drums to an entire band. Below I've collected a few photos to give you a taste of Old Town's many musicians.
This foursome was phenomenal singing and playing old time mountain music. It was a great throwback to the Carters because the gal in the front on the guitar was a great singer. The banjo player and bass were on point, and I love the texture that the mandolin (seated behind guitar) provided.
The glass harp as played by Jamie Turner is an old town treat one simply must hear in person to appreciate.
Harpist
This miss not only strummed the harp to perfection but also sang beautifully.
At the waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory there are often a few soloists serving up music for passers-by.
Old Town is full of shops, restaurants and attractions.
Many people feel that Old Town is the heart of Alexandria VA.
As the name implies, Old Town is the oldest part of Alexandria, a port in colonial times. Historic Old Town Alexandria is found along the Potomac, just inside the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and then north toward Reagan National Airport. Old Town is served by the King St. Metro and the King St. trolley. With over 100 restaurants, shops, boutiques, coffee shops, ice cream houses and more, there's always fun to be found in Old Town.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
I have found through my own personal experience that volunteering to help shelter dogs at the Petco on Rt1 is very rewarding. To see the joy of dogs (old & young) leaving their store (where they wait for adoption), to go outside for fresh air, is very uplifting. Feeling a slight tug on the other end of the leash, while seeing four legs scrambling on the tile as we approach the automatic sliding glass door. Once outside, the dogs are happy to follow me in any direction, whether it be towards Target, Beacon Mall, or elsewhere. And for me, I'm happy just to see them around their little world.
Pupppalooza will take place on 10May2014
Last Chance has dogs up for adoption at the Petco on Rt1
Luckett Field is a 5.6 acre baseball/softball field near the intersection of Duke St. and Wheeler. Part of the grounds is dedicated to the Luckett Field Skate Park.
The skate park is frequented by children and adults of all ages and is considered a safe-family friendly park. The park is styled as a street course with lots of different rails. There are several quarter pipes, a 6-7 foot halfpipe. In addition to several different sized banks, there is a pyramid, kicker ramp, grind box, manual pad, and ledges. The park also has a big 3 stair set. There is no bowl.
There is no admission to the park. This park doesn't require pads, but I recommend them.
The skatepark is open seven days a week beginning at 9 am. The hours are seasonal, so the park will close at 5 pm through March. Skaters must be 6 years old to use the skatepark, and those under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
The park lies in the shadow of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial (aka the Alexandria Lighthouse, the Masonic Temple) in Alexandria. The skyline of Carlyle is visible from the park. There are many upscale (and a few downscale) neighborhoods very close by.
Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria, Virginia. Through educational programming and learning-oriented gardening sites, the mission of Green Spring Gardens is to advance awareness and promote the practice of gardening in Northern Virginia.
Visitors to the Gardens can stroll through 5 acres of gardening plots and may attend classes at the Visitor Center. In addition, guests can research gardening questions or explore the Green Spring Garden ecosystem in an educational setting at the horticultural library. Green Spring Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; admission is free. Call 703-642-5173 for more information.
Each May to November, twelve sites throughout Fairfax County spring to life with the activity of an open-air market. These bustling marketplaces draw thousands of Fairfax County residents with a feast for the senses. The vibrant colors of freshly picked fruits and vegetables contrast with the fragrant perfume of cut flowers. Across the market floats the aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries while one savors a sample of creamy artisan cheese. The markets provide a way to connect with the producers of our food-a way of life once commonplace for many of our parents and grandparents.
The Markets offer a wide variety of freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. There are also fresh eggs, baked goods, honey and cider to purchase. Milk and cheese products, along with a wide array of meat products, round out the edible delights. If gardening is an interest, many vendors have small plants at the beginning of the season, while other vendors have larger landscape plants for those ambitious projects.
All Fairfax County markets (except the Frying Pan market) host Fairfax County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Plant Clinics. Citizens can bring plant or insect samples for pest identification or disease diagnosis. Master Gardeners also help citizens by having informational displays on topics such as Container Gardening or EcoSavvy Gardening.
Summer squashAll products sold at the Farmers Market are produced by the vendors within 125 miles of Fairfax County. Buy local and support sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. You will find the freshest and most desirable fruit, vegetables, plants, baked goods, eggs, dairy and meats available.
For information about the Markets, call 703-642-0128, TTY 703-803-3354.
Here's a memory from a post that was written several years ago:
Would you like to get to know Old Town Alexandria VA? I'll tell you one of the best ways to see a few sites and learn more about our fair city: take a carriage ride.
Mule turning onto King Street in Old Town
Our carriage was pulled by a hard-working mule. Her owner tells us she loves to pull. As she clopped slowly down the side streets of Old Town, her owner filled in details about houses and locations that we passed. For me, most of the information was old hat, but I couldn't help but think this would be a great way for a tourist or new resident to get to know the city.
The fee for the ride was downright reasonable, and I was impressed with the mule's strength as she pulled up and down hill along Old Town's waterfront.
After she dropped us off we snapped this picture from Market Square. There in front of Burke and Herbert she seemed more in place with the surroundings than the cars who shared her road.
King Street Trolley
Around Old Town Alexandria, parking can sometimes be a hassle, (unless you want to pay to park in a garage), but a great way to explore Alexandria is to take the Metro to King St. and then hop a ride on the King St. Trolley. There is no charge to ride the trolley, and it makes stops about every two blocks between the King St. Metro and the Potomac.
The Trolley was designed to complement service by the National Harbor's new Water Taxi. The National Harbor is located across the Potomac in Maryland and is the site of a brand new convention center. The convention center and many restaurants are already open in this brand new area landmark. Additionally boat service is available up and down river from the Strand in Old Town. The length of this circuit can be walked in about 20 minutes, so many choose to take the trolley to the Potomac and then walk back to the Metro through Old Town.
Trolley at King Street
The Trolley makes it final stop before returning to the Metro near the Torpedo Factory. Just as the name implies, the Torpedo Factory was torpedo factory in the early part of the last century. Today the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a world-renowned art center with three floors of open studios and galleries. Here, one can observe artists and purchase original artwork. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is on the Potomac waterfront. Street musicians and entertainers play nearly every night weather permitting, and tourists and locals alike enjoy walks down by the waterfront.
A train arrival at busy, convenient King Street Metro
The trolley runs its route from 10 am to 10 pm every day. A printable map is available for those who know nothing about the area.
Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Old Town Alexandria
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is close to Porto Vecchio and Belle View Condominiums. On June 6th, 2009 the long-awaited bicycle crossing of the Potomac at Woodrow Wilson Bridge was completed. The bridge now connects the Mt. Vernon Trail to the National Harbor in Maryland allowing pedestrians and bikers to traverse the river near I-495 just outside Old Town Alexandria VA near the George Washington Parkway. The completion of the mile long bike-pedestrian trial is one of the final milestones in the massive Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project which was started a number of years ago. The "Active Transportation Lane" crossing is open to walkers, joggers, bikers, roller-bladers, scooters and virtually any form of unmechanized traffic.
The Alexandria Times reported that "Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and other federal, state and local officials were among the first to utilize the new river crossing after a ceremony on the Maryland side of the river."
The reviews from bikers have been very positive. TheWashCycle.com says, "It's a flawed masterpiece and a fantastic resource. The ride is great, with the overpass as a small park over the Beltway. The views are stunning (and the telescopes free)..."
Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Old Town
The Woodrow Wilson Crossing is easily accessed by communities like Belle View, River Towers, Porto Vecchio, the Bearings South and parts of Old Town Alexandria which are near the bridge.
Bike path on the George Washington Parkway at the Belle Haven Marina
About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.
The glass harp as played by Jamie Turner is an old town treat one simply must hear in person to appreciate.
At the waterfront behind the 
