"First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen." George Washington's longtime friend Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee offered this tribute after Washington's death.
Tributes to the first president continue to be paid these many years later as we celebrate his 263rd birthday. One of the largest celebrations takes place in Alexandria, Va., where events are planned throughout February, but the majority will occur next weekend. Events include concerts, a banquet and ball, a Revolutionary War encampment, walking tours, re-enactments and the nation's largest birthday parade.
The annual Birthnight Banquet and Ball Saturday evening commemorates all the grand balls held during Washington's lifetime. The ball has always been held at Gadsby's Tavern, scene of the original birthday celebrations. For the first time in many years the banquet will be held there as well. Several guests will come dressed as Colonial figures. George and Martha will be there, and birthday toasts made to Washington more than 200 years ago will be offered during dinner. A musician will provide entertainment. The event begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by an 18th-century-style banquet and ball. A group will demonstrate 18th-century dances, and guests will receive instruction from a dance master. Gaming and magic will provide other amusements. Tickets cost $40.50 per person, and reservations are necessary. Call (703) 838-4200.
Each year the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra dedicates a concert to Washington. The birthday concerts will be held Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive. Tickets range in price from $14 to $23. Call (703) 548-0045.
On Feb. 19, Colonial and British living-history units will take part in a Revolutionary War encampment and skirmish at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the public can visit the encampment where interpreter soldiers and their families will portray camp life of the Revolution. The battle skirmish between British and American troops is scheduled at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Call (703) 838-4848.
Highlight of the weekend is the George Washington birthday parade at 1 p.m. Feb. 20. It will be preceded by a dramatic reading of Washington's Farewell Address at the steps of the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., at 11 a.m. There will be a performance by the Mount Vernon Guard, light refreshments and living-history interpreters. The performance will be repeated at noon. With nearly 200 units and some 4,000 participants, the parade is the largest birthday parade in the nation. It will wind through the Old Town historic district, past the reviewing stand next to Gadsby's Tavern, where actors dressed as George and Martha Washington will review the troops. It will end about 2:30 p.m., at which time some of the parade units will proceed to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S. Fairfax St., to honor the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War with a brief ceremony.
The city's museums will all be open in honor of the holiday, and costumed guides will lead walking tours of the Old Town historic district, weather permitting. The tours leave at 11 a.m. from the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King St. The cost is $3 for adults; $2 for ages 6 to 17; free for under 6. Also, Friendship Firehouse, the restored 1855 firehouse building at 107 S. Alfred St., will hold its traditional open house from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic firefighting equipment will be placed on view along with interpretive displays about the history of firefighting in Alexandria. Admission is free.
For additional information, call (703) 838-4200.
Breakfast with the president
Something new has been added to this year's birthday celebration at Mount Vernon, Washington's home in Mount Vernon, Va. On Saturday and Feb. 19, visitors can breakfast with the first president, portrayed by William Sommerfield, internationally recognized for his interpretation of Washington. Cooks in Colonial costume will prepare Washington's favorite breakfast -- hoecakes (cornmeal pancakes) topped with butter and honey, small meat pies, nuts, dried fruits, tea and hot cider -- and visitors can sample some of these breakfast foods between 9 a.m. and noon. Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for seniors age 62 and over; $3 for ages 6 to 11; free for under 6.
On Feb. 20, the federal holiday, the public will be admitted to the mansion from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. free of charge. William Sommerfield will again be on hand to greet visitors. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony at 10 a.m. complete with color guard and an Army Band bugler playing taps. Festivities will continue with the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performing Revolutionary War military and patriotic tunes in front of the mansion. This will be followed by a demonstration of Revolutionary War military tactics by the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, 3rd U.S. Infantry. The group is a replica of the original Commander-in-Chief's Guard, formed by Washington in 1776 to guard his army headquarters and protect his papers and personal effects.
Mount Vernon is at the southern end of the George Washington Parkway in Virginia, eight miles south of Alexandria, Va. Call (703) 780-2000.
Valley Forge tribute
Tributes to Washington are also scheduled at Valley Forge Historical Park in Valley Forge, Pa., where the general spent the harsh winter of 1777-1778 with troops of his Continental Army. The 1st Continental Regiment will be at the Muhlenberg Brigade, the park's Tour Stop No. 2, to demonstrate tactical skills at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. The 2nd Pennsylvania will demonstrate musket firing at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 19.
Children ages 6 to 12 can join the troops and march in a review at 11 a.m. Feb. 20 at the west wing of the visitor center. That afternoon two lectures are scheduled at the center. The first talk, 1 p.m., will be on Washington as a military leader; the second, at 2:15 p.m., concerns the cause of his death and what it meant to the country. All park programs are free. Call (610) 783-1077.
Also on Feb. 20, the Valley Forge Historical Society, situated in the park, will hold open house. Martha Washington's "great cake" will be served, and costumed characters will portray George and Martha and other Colonial personalities. The museum will be open free of charge between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call (610) 783-0535.
Music at Montpelier
A program of 18th-century chamber music will be performed at Montpelier Mansion in Laurel at 3 p.m. Feb. 19. The Washington Woodwind Quartet will perform in honor of Washington's birthday. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but reservations are required.
The mansion is at Route 197 and Muirkirk Road in Laurel. Call (301) 953-1376.