For Immediate Release
December 8, 2005
Digital images available
Media Contact:
Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Historic Mount Vernon celebrates George Washington’s 274th birthday Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19 with patriotic early-American music, “America’s Smallest Hometown Parade”, and Washington’s favorite breakfast – with “the General” himself joining visitors to partake of “hoecakes swimming in butter and honey”! The weekend leads up to a grand birthday party for the first president on Monday, February 20, with spirited military demonstrations, an encore performance of “America’s Smallest Hometown Parade”, and a moving wreathlaying ceremony at Washington’s tomb. All visitors are admitted free-of-charge on the national observance of George Washington’s birthday.
Schedule for Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join “George Washington” for breakfast as he enjoys his favorite morning meal, “hoecakes swimming in butter and honey”, cooked over an open fire (while supplies last). Pull up a hay bale and chat with the Father of Our Country about politics, farming, the Revolutionary War, and life in the 18th century. 1:30 p.m. “America’s Smallest Hometown Parade”, complete with fife and drum corps, early-American music and adorable heritage breed animals, lines up to march past “General Washington”, the Mansion and around the circle drive for all to see.
Schedule for Monday, February 20, the national holiday for Washington’s Birthday Free admission
10:00 a.m. An official representative of President George W. Bush leads a wreathlaying ceremony at Washington’s tomb, followed by a performance and Revolutionary War battle demonstration by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Fife and Drum Corps and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard. “General Washington” will be on the grounds to greet visitors and receive their birthday wishes.
1:30 p.m. By popular demand, the crowd-pleasing “America’s Smallest Hometown Parade” makes its Monday debut with an encore of its weekend peformances. The jubilant parade includes a fife and drum corps, early-American music and adorable heritage breed animals marching past “General Washington”, the Mansion and around the circle drive.
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Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America. Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events, and stimulating educational programs on the Estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as "First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen." Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, America’s oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853. A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nation’s capital.
Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission rates: adults, $13.00; senior citizens, $12.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $6.00; and children under age 5, FREE. Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.
