By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com

Celebrate Presidents’ Day and the first president’s 290th birthday at the George Washington Birthday Parade on Monday. The annual parade is held on the third Monday in February and winds along a one-mile route through Old Town.

The event is the oldest and largest parade celebrating the birth of George Washington, according to its website. The parade features a collection of drum corps, color guards, bands, community organizations, youth groups, local business owners, city politicians and George and Martha Washington themselves walking the streets of Old Town. This year, the event is focusing on celebrating Alexandria’s healthcare workers and first responders, who will serve as the grand marshals of the parade.

The parade begins on the corner of Gibbon and Fairfax streets at 1 p.m. It travels north along Fairfax Street, turns west on Queen Street and travels back south along Royal Street before coming to an end at Wilkes Street. Judges at a reviewing stand near city hall will give out awards.

Two local museums will also offer free admission to Alexandria residents from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday: the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Visitors must wear masks.