Arlington’s signature program celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday attracted large crowds to Kenmore Middle School this weekend.
A little rain at the end didn’t dampen the spirits of attendees or the success of Arlington HistoryFest, which earned an estimated 2,000 attendees on Saturday. Sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society, it represented the major local effort connected with the national birthday celebration.
More than 45 organizations took part, meeting or exceeding expectations, said Peter Vaselopulos, the historical society’s president and lead organizer of the event.
“We took a leap of faith,” Vaselopulos told ARLnow during a walk around the grounds as booths were being set up around 9:15 a.m. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During opening ceremonies, Vaselopulos said the goal was to provide a well-rounded, nuanced version of American history.
“It’s about helping every resident see themselves as part of this story,” Vaselopulos said. He said the fight for independence was “a bold and revolutionary idea, but it also was an incomplete promise.”
Vaselopulos said the county government provided the resources the historical society requested to make the event a success. He singled out Kenmore Middle School principal David McBride as “the true hero” of the undertaking.
“He’s made everything easy, and has been nothing but outstanding,” Vaselopulos said.
County Board Vice Chair Maureen Coffey, Del. Patrick Hope (D-1) and county poet laureate Jennifer Kronovet took part in the opening ceremony.
The National Park Service and Arlington National Cemetery were on hand, as was the 3rd U.S. Infantry (the Old Guard) ceremonial unit from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
The state government provided its American Revolution Mobile Museum, while the city of Alexandria was represented at booths featuring its historical society and archeological programs.
Arlington community organizations at the festival included the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, League of Women Voters, Advance Arlington, the DREAM Project and Advance Arlington. Neighborhoods with booths included Lyon Village, Barcroft and Glencarlyn, where the school is located.
Live re-enactments, musical performances, storytelling and special children’s activities were all part of the event, which received some wind in the morning and raindrops in the afternoon but otherwise was unaffected by spring weather.
Support for Arlington HistoryFest250 was provided through a Virginia Humanities Grant.
Because of the county’s proximity to D.C., Arlington is not planning major events for the July 4 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The major regional event that day will be a celebration presented by the National Park Service on the National Mall, culminating in fireworks.
