A young visitor looks at a firefighting display Aug. 2 at the Friendship Firehouse Museum.
The Friendship Firehouse Festival celebrated the 251st anniversary of the founding of the city’s first fire company Aug. 2 at the historic Friendship Firehouse Museum on South Alfred Street.
Now in its 29th year, the festival is sponsored by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association and Historic Alexandria. Crowds lined up for tours of the museum as attendees learned about the city’s historic firefighting apparatus and checked out modern firefighting equipment on display.
“This is always a wonderful festival,” said Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association board vice president Tim Winkle. “We have the Alexandria Fire Department here as well as the police department and sheriff’s office so it’s a great opportunity to celebrate together.”
In addition to tours of the Friendship Firehouse Museum, festivalgoers learned about fire safety and had the opportunity to see Alexandria Fire Department equipment up close.
The festival also included music performances, face painting, and displays by community organizations and local vendors.
Younger attendees participated in hands-on activities with all children receiving free toy Friendship firefighting helmets.
“Living here is so fun,” said Alejandro Riesenberg, a 7-year-old student at St. Mary’s School who attended the festival with his brother Lucas. “We live on the street and get to see the fire trucks.”
Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company was the first fire company in Alexandria. Today the Friendship Firehouse, built in 1855, is a museum open to the public.
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association is a philanthropic organization focusing on fire-fighting history and fire safety. It remains active in community events, including the annual Festival, and supports historic preservation of the building and its collection.
www.alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse
Young visitors play inside an Alexandria fire truck during the Aug. 2 Friendship Firehouse Festival.