Celebrate Firefighters at the Friendship Firehouse Festival

Alexandria’s annual Friendship Firehouse Festival returns Saturday with a day of family fun in the 100 block of South Alfred Street.

Held at the historic Friendship Firehouse, the event celebrates the unique role of firefighters throughout history. 

The Aug. 3 event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature a collection of antique fire equipment and, courtesy of the Alexandria Fire Department, a display of modern fire apparatus.

The Alexandria Red Cross and the Community Emergency Response Team will also participate. Other attractions include craft booths, food vendors and free birthday cake. Children will receive free fire helmets and balloons.

In addition to the day’s outdoor events, festival participants will be able to experience the history of the Fire Company through a tour of the Friendship Firehouse Museum. 

The building was originally built as a firehouse in 1855, remodeled in 1871 and restored again in 1992 before undergoing roof and cupola repairs in 2009.

The Engine Room on the first floor showcases historic firefighting equipment, including hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, axes, and sections of early rubber hose. 

The second floor houses exhibits on the Friendship Fire Company, also known as “George Washington’s Fire Company,” which was Alexandria’s first fire company, founded in 1774.