Tuesday, February 22, 2022
After a two year hiatus, the 2022 edition of the George Washington Birthday Parade returned to the streets of Old Town Alexandria Va. on President’s Day, Feb. 21. Taking advantage of unseasonably mild weather, thousands once again lined the streets to celebrate the 290th anniversary of the birth of George Washington with a parade in his former hometown. Last year’s parade had to be cancelled in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
Dating back to 1923, if not earlier, the event is billed as the nation’s largest George Washington Birthday Parade. Politicians, military marching bands, colonial reenactors and community and historical groups made their way through the historic streets of Old Town along the mile-long parade route.
Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker were joined on the reviewing stand by George and Martha Washington themselves, admirably portrayed by Brian Hilton and Kari LaBell. For Ms. LaBell it was her 25th time portraying Mrs W in the parade.
View a slideshow of Jeff Malet’s photos of the 2022 George Washington Birthday Parade from Alexandria by clicking on the photo icons below.
- Mashall Smith, Captain of the 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line Re-enactors (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Hugh (age 7), Joey (5) and Samuel (8) of Arlington dress up to watch the parade. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Bridgette, Emly, Molly, Nora, and Beth are dressed as camp followers of the 1st Virginia Regiment. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Marina Ekman (Falls Church Va.) of the John Alexander Chapter of trhe DAR in the costume of a 1780s French officer (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Marine Corp Base Quantico Color Guard (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Xavier, age 3 of Alexandria, poses with Alexandria’s Fire Chief Corey A. Smedley (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker leads the parade. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line Re-enactors. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Quantico Marine Corps Band (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Michelle Chapman had been to every GW parade since she was 5 years old. Her son is Councilman John Taylor Chapman. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- J Greg Parks is Clerk of the Circuit Court (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Robert Montegue drives his 1921 Linclon Touring Car, said to be the olderst running Lincoln in the world. It was purchase new by his family (photo by Jeff Malet).
- George and Martha Washington arrive by horse-drawn carriage. Photo by Jeff Malet.
- Gen. George Washington (Brian Hilton) and wife Martha (Kari LaBell) arrive by horse-drawn carriage. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Ciry of Alexandria Pipes and Drums (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The American Legion, Alexandria Post 24 (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Reenactors as the Rev. and Mrs. Lee Massey. – George Washington’s rector (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line Re-enactors (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Kate Waller Barrett Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (photo by Jeff Malet)
- National Society Sons of the American Revolution (photo by Jeff Malet)
- James Manship marches as the General. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Girl Scouts (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Fishburne Military School of Waynesboro Va. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Fishburne Military School (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Ancient Order of Hiberians Alexandria Va. Chapter. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Kena Shriners of Fairfax Va. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Kena Shriners of Fairfax Va (photo by Jeff Malet).
- Callan (9) and Cassidy (9) of D.C. enjoy the parade (photo by Jeff Malet)
- The Kena Shriners of Fairfax Va. (photo by Jeff Malet)
- Kena Shriners Cars (photo by Jeff Malet)
