Friendship Firehouse Festival Marks Company's 238th Anniversary

The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association will hold its annual Festival on Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This free family event will take place in the 100 block of South Alfred Street between Prince and King streets, which will be closed off to traffic for the festival.

The festival celebrates the special role firefighters have played throughout history, especially those of Friendship. The event will feature a collection of antique fire equipment and, courtesy of the Alexandria Fire Department, a display of modern fire apparatus. The and the Community Emergency Response Team will participate. Other attractions include craft booths, food vendors and free birthday cake. Children will receive free fire helmets and balloons.
 
Festival participants will be able to tour 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.
 
Now a philanthropic organization focusing on fire and life safety, the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association remains active in community events, including this year’s festival, which marks the 238th anniversary of the company.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the date of the event is Aug. 4, not Aug. 6.