BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:8 a.m. &ndash\; 4 p.m: George Washington&rsquo\;s 280th Birt hday Celebration \nCelebrate the national observance of George Washingt on&rsquo\;s birthday by visiting his home and burial site FREE of charg e on this day. \; The traditional wreathlaying ceremony takes place at Washington's Tomb followed by patriotic music and military performa nces on the Bowling Green. \; Join characters from the 18th century as they help visitors surprise General Washington with rousing birthda y cheers! At &ldquo\;George Washington&rsquo\;s Surprise Birthday Party &rdquo\;\, the first president will be presented with gifts which he wi ll describe and react to during a speech to his birthday visitors. The birthday festivities begin one hour earlier this year &ndash\; the Esta te will open to visitors at 8 a.m.! \; &ldquo\;General Washington&r dquo\; will be on the grounds to greet visitors and receive birthday wi shes all day.\n \;\nBook Signing By Emmy Award Winning Chef Walter Staib\nChef Walter Staib of Philadelphia&rsquo\;s City Tavern and Emmy award-winning host of PBS&rsquo\;s &ldquo\;A Taste of History&rdquo\; wi ll sign books and DVDs in The Shops at Mount Vernon throughout the wee kend and Monday holiday. \; Visitors to the new Hoecakes &\; Hos pitality: Cooking with Martha Washington exhibition can watch an eight- minute video in which the award-winning chef prepares a sturgeon in Mou nt Vernon&rsquo\;s kitchen.  \; \;Please visit www.atasteofhist ory.org for more information about Chef Walter Staib.\n \;\nNew Boo k Available for Sale: Dining with the Washingtons Mount Vernon is serv ing up a fascinating new book exploring the menus\, diets\, and styles of entertaining that characterized the beloved home of the nation&rsquo \;s foremost founding father. Dining with the Washingtons: Historic Re cipes\, Entertainment\, and Hospitality from Mount Vernon is a beautifu lly bound\, hardcover 236-page volume packed with compelling expert ess ays and recipes that capture the flavors of early America. \; Dinin g with the Washingtons is priced at $35 and is available at The Shops a t Mount Vernon\, online at www.MountVernon.org\, and in bookstores\, sp ecialty shops\, and online retailers throughout the nation.\n \; URL:http://mountvernon.patch.com/events/george-washingtons-280th-birthday -celebration SUMMARY:George Washington’s 280th Birthday Celebration LOCATION:Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy\ , Alexandria\, VA END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR