City of Alexandria Birthday Celebration - Time Change

In order to protect the public health and safety of residents, visitors and businesses, the City’s Birthday Celebration program will run as scheduled beginning at 7:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. Oronoco Bay Park will be open to the public all day, but the Birthday Celebration will not kick off until 7:30 p.m., and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra concert will begin at 8:30 p.m., with fireworks to follow at 9:30 p.m.

The heat wave affecting the Mid-Atlantic is forecast to continue this weekend, with a Heat Warning and temperatures of more than 102 degrees with Code Red Air Quality expected on Saturday, July 7. 

The City advises that persons who are elderly, people with chronic health or fragile medical conditions, and infants and young children not attend, due to the potential for heat-related illness. If you are in doubt as to whether you and your family can handle the heat, stay home. Even young and healthy people can get sick from prolonged exposure if they do not adequately protect themselves. Air-conditioning is the number-one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.

Residents who are planning to attend the Birthday Celebration should take the following steps to protect themselves from the excessive heat:

• Drink 2 to 4 glasses of cool fluids each hour.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing and stay in the shade outdoors whenever possible.
• Protect yourself from the sun’s rays by wearing sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and bring an umbrella for shade.
• Monitor people around you for signs of heat-related illness. · Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, which can cause you to lose more body fluid. 
• Avoid very cold drinks, because they may cause stomach cramps. 

 At the event, Verizon will provide free Internet and worldwide telephone services in an air-conditioned mobile unit so people can make phone calls and access the Internet while seeking relief from the heat.