Image courtesy of Mount Vernon
First national George Washington virtual birthday celebration planned for Feb. 22.
Mount Vernon is planning its first national celebration of George Washington's birthday this year.
The virtual birthday party will feature performances and stories from a variety of actors, musicians and historians will celebrate Washington's 289th birthday on Monday, Feb. 22 beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
Guests include best-selling author Rick Atkinson (winner of the 2020 George Washington Prize, for his book, The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777); multi-Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves and Grammy and Latin-Grammy Award-winner Juanes, and more.
Proceeds from ticket sales for this event will support the restoration and preservation of Washington's beloved home, Mount Vernon, which is not a government-funded park or agency.
The event takes the place of Alexandrians' long tradition of celebrating Washington’s birthday. Traditionally, Mount Vernon’s Neighborhood Friends has partnered with Mount Vernon to throw an annual “Birthnight Supper and Ball,” which began in 1947. For almost 75 years, event participants have helped raise funds for Washington’s home, and increased awareness of Washington.
While the pandemic will prevent the traditional black-tie ball from happening in-person, it's created the opportunity for Mount Vernon to host the first nationwide celebration of Washington's birthday.
After shutting down for two months in response to COVID-19, and with reduced attendance as the pandemic continues, right now Mount Vernon needs support more than ever, organizers said Thursday.
If you're interested in attending the online party, you can register for the celebration here. (Suggested donations begin at $5.)
You can also celebrate Washington's birthday by participating in an online auction featuring what organizers call "some truly unforgettable opportunities and experiences." Funds raised help support the restoration of the Mansion. Bidding will include automatic updates so you won’t get outbid. The auction will go live on Feb. 16 and end Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. ET.
Interested in donating an auction item to support this initiative? Contact Kara Hershorin at: khershorin@mountvernon.org.
Sponsors of the event include: (Interested in becoming a sponsor? Learn about opportunities here.)
Platinum
- Burke and Herbert Bank
- Fireline Corporation
- Five Guys / Matt and LeeAnne Murrell
- Robert and Mimie Helm
- Perfecta
- The George of Old Town
Gold
- John and Stavroula Alachnowicz
- Anonymous
- Farmers Insurance
- Julia Gluck
- Leading Builders of America
- Ourisman Automotive of Virginia
- Jim and Jo Carol Porter
- TTR Sotheby's International Realty and The Patterson Group
- Vulcan Materials Company
Silver
- Joseph and Ann Somerset
- Jack and Pat Veatch
Bronze
- Matt and Audra Gannon
- John and Ruth Huber
- Barry and Tracy Hutchison
- Paul and Janis Mikolashek
Patron
- Jonathan and Mary Biegel
- Jeanne M. Defliese and CAPT James D. Huck, USN (Ret)
- Stephen Fahy and Marjorie Roddy
- Scott and Gayla Keller
- Aris and Gibson McMahon
- Roger and Wanda Monthey
- Terry and Faith Sincich
