George Washington is turning 290, and the caretakers of his Mount Vernon, Virginia, estate are throwing a house party.
Several activities to commemorate the first president’s birthday will be held on Presidents Day, with an in-person celebration Monday and a virtual celebration Tuesday.
鈥淲e open the estate for free both those days, and we’re going to be having great demonstrations from the commander and chief鈥檚 guard,鈥� said Matt Briney, Mount Vernon鈥檚 vice president of media and communications.
Some activities include a demonstration of how to make hoecakes 鈥� Washington鈥檚 favorite breakfast item 鈥� and kid-friendly activities.
鈥淥n the 22nd, we鈥檙e hosting a virtual celebration for those who can鈥檛 join us in person at 7p.m.,鈥� said Briney. Capacity restrictions will be in effect for the in-person activities, so he recommends that people register in advance.
Washington鈥檚 birthday is one of the biggest celebrations at the estate, the first being the Fourth of July, according to Briney.
鈥淏undle up — it鈥檒l be cold. But we love seeing people out,鈥� Briney said.
The pandemic caused Mount Vernon to greatly reduce last year鈥檚 celebration, but a new tradition came out of it.
鈥淟ast year, we did have a greatly reduced admission those days and so the celebration wasn鈥檛 as big as we are expecting this year,” said Briney. “But we did have our first annual virtual celebration on Washington鈥檚 birthday, [which is on] the 22nd, so that鈥檚 a tradition we are continuing again this year.鈥�
