Leesburg Celebrates Its 250 Years

Neither hot weather nor Sunday afternoon football games could keep hundreds away from attending a birthday party 250 years in the making. Leesburg residents flocked to the festivities Sunday afternoon, enjoying birthday cupcakes, amusements and a day made possible Sept. 14, 1758.

On that day, the Town of Leesburg was recognized by the Virginia General Assembly. Sunday's celebration recognized the efforts of the town government and its people in making Leesburg what it is today.

The chant of "Happy Birthday Leesburg" was a popular one on Sunday, as a ceremony attended by local and state representatives gave way to the sounds of the Heritage High School band playing the popular birthday anthem. One thousand cupcakes were available so that every attendee could fill their bellies at the biggest birthday celebration the town has seen.

During the ceremony, Sen. Mark Herring (D-33) read aloud a proclamation unanimously agreed to by the General Assembly in February, congratulating the town on its milestone.

"Even the General Assembly agrees that Leesburg is a great place," Herring quipped.

Supervisor Kelly Burk (D-Leesburg) also passed along congratulations from the county board of supervisors. She recalled her personal experience moving to the town from Falls Church nearly 30 years ago.

"I remember calling my mother to tell her that my husband and I had found our first home in Leesburg. My mother cried. She said 'you're going to be so far away from everything.' I felt like I was going to Siberia," Burk said.

While she admitted that "things were slower" 30 years ago, Burk said that, despite the town's dramatic evolution to a population nearly five times the size as when she moved to Leesburg, one thing remained the same.

"It was then and it is now home," she said. "It's not the same place it was 250 years ago or even 30 years ago. It has matured into a diverse, vibrant, unique community that we all call home. This is our town."

Following Burk's speech, John Callahan, IT project manager and head of the town's flag contest committee, announced the winner of the contest. Flag number four, which features cinquefoils from the Astley Family Coat of Arms and a blue and yellow checkerboard band from the Lee Family Coat of Arms, was the outright winner.

During the playing of "Happy Birthday to You" Mayor Kristen Umstattd, Herring, Burk and members of town council joined in on the cutting of a birthday cake, with a small Town Hall atop it. After partaking in cake and cupcake-eating, party attendees were also able to enjoy other activities, including face-painting, games, rides and goodie bags, staffed largely by town government employees, who willingly volunteered their time for the special day.