George Washington
I am thrilled to invite you to join the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the Fairfax 250th Commission as we kick off the Nation’s Semiquincentennial Celebrations here in Fairfax County! Sunday, May 4, is the 250th anniversary of the day George Washington departed his beloved Mount Vernon to attend the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where he was ultimately appointed commander in chief of the newly created Continental Army. For the duration of the war, he only briefly returned to his estate for a day or so in September 1781, prior to the Yorktown campaign and ultimate victory.
At 1:30 p.m. on May 4, as part of Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon we will be recognizing this moment with remarks from “George Washington,” as well as myself and Mount Vernon President & CEO Doug Bradburn. US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay have also been invited.
Following the remarks, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the Patriots Path, Mount Vernon’s brand-new installation of a military encampment for guests to visit year-round. George Washington, along with musicians and reenactors will march down the Patriots Path and out the front gates to “head to Philadelphia.”
This rich visual display is befitting the ceremonial kick off of the Fairfax 250th Celebrations which will include hundreds of events throughout the County over the next two years.
This significant anniversary is a celebration of not only how our country began, but also the first steps of the journey we have been making over the last 250 years. This is not only just a celebration of our history, but of our movement toward greater justice and equity, and the journey to fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence that all people "are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is a time to commemorate what defines us as a nation and the values that we hold most dearly. We have come far, but we have more work to do to ensure these values for all Americans.
I am proud to be a leader in the County’s Semiquincentennial planning, starting in 2020 with the unanimous support of my Board colleagues, by directing the Fairfax 250 Commission be established to create and host appropriate events and celebrations. We look forward to you joining us on May 4 and throughout the next two years.
To learn more about the Fairfax 250th Celebrations, visit: https://www.fxva.com/fairfax250/.