Doggie Ice Cream Social

This Saturday (July 31st), The Dog Park, Pop's Ice Cream, and Banana Republic in Old Town are sponsoring a doggie ice cream social! That's right, ice cream for people and dogs.

I didn't know about this until today, when I took Charlie to The Dog Park on our way to the real dog park. It's a new, adorable store with treats and toys galore. Check out the awesome window display, reminiscent of Life Aquatic:

Movie in the Park

Last night was the first ever movie in the park at Waterfront Park in Old Town. It's the perfect place for this kind of event, and it rocked. Unfortunately, it's only happening one more time this year: July 17th (tonight) at dusk (about 8:45pm). Tonight's movie is Transformers. This is truly an awesome experience, because you're watching a movie, looking out over the Potomac. And it's free.

Thanks Comcast Outdoor Film Festival! But you know, this really should be an ongoing weekly event... hint, hint, Alexandria Parks and Rec.

Unwrap the Port-A-Potties, It's Christmas in July!

What are these port-a-potties doing at the park? Could it be... is it really... Christmas in July?! Usually the sound of bells, the heat of a warm fire, and the smell of pine mean Christmas time. But this weekend, the sound of family cheer, the heat of the sun, and the smell of sweat (and something else if you're standing too close to the port-a-potties) will ignite the joy of Christmas all around.

This weekend (July 16-18) is the first ever CHRISTMAS IN JULY CELEBRATION on Union St. There will be a ton to do for all ages, from photos with Santa, to ornament making, to food and wine tastings. Oh yeah, and don't miss the bagpipers. Well, I guess as long as you're within a 20 mile radius, you'll hear them anyway. Visit the Christmas Attic website for more details.

Fireworks, or Plane Crash?

OK. So the fireworks at Alexandria's Bday fest last week were a bit of a bust. They would havebeen great, if they didn't have to stop every 2.5 minutes and let a plane fly by. I'm surprised that doesn't happen every year. And imagine how the pilots feel when they see fireworks ahead of them on their flight path! The weirder thing is that after the finale, they let off several more rounds of fireworks, randomly until almost 11pm! I had nightmares about being woken up by explosions. Thanks, Alexandria Gov. But the kettle corn freakin ruled.

Let Them Eat Cake (For Free!)

Don't miss the Alexandria Birthday Celebration festival this Saturday (July 10th) from4pm-10pm at Oronoco Bay Park! Every year there are fun food vendors, activities, music, AND FREE CAKE.

"What? Free cake," you say?

Oh yes. The entire event is free. The Alexandria Singers perform at 6pm, civic awards at 7:30pm (that's when the cake arrives), and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performs at 8:30pm. Plus, the event ends in fireworks over the Potomac River, with a closing cannon at 9:30pm.

Beware that the Red Cross Festival was cancelled this year, so this is your only chance to experience a true, "small" town festival this summer.