Monumental Bicentennial

It's no surprise that the town will be abuzz this weekend for the Fourth of July, but did you know there is even more of a reason to celebrate, just around the corner from 520 Park? The "Monumental Bicentennial" and reopening of America's first Washington Monument takes place on July 4^th, too! With its cornerstone laid on July 4, 1815, Mount Vernon's Washington Monument became the first public monument to honor George Washington and the ideals of American Democracy he represented. Baltimore is celebrating this iconic time in American history with the Monumental Bicentennial, a one-day celebration. After being closed since 2010, the restored Washington Monument reopens with an official rededication ceremony and ribbon cutting at 10:45am. The ceremony includes live performances from the Maryland Defense Force Band and Fort McHenry Guard Fife & Drum Band. An old-fashioned country fair follows at 11:30with entertainment, children's activities, baking contests, delicious food and beverages and more. The event will be centered on the 600 block of N. Charles Street with festivities taking place throughout the four surrounding park squares and admission is free. The "Colonial Kids" area features family-friendly activities like hands-on crafts, colonial period demonstrations and games, a pixelated photo booth, blacksmith, live entertainment, story-telling and more. In addition to the centralized festivities in the park squares, many area institutions and businesses will offer activities such as a neighborhood scavenger hunt, organ performances and tours at the Engineers Club, and a Walters Art Museum art activity. This Fourth of July gives us an opportunity to celebrate our national as well as our local history with fun from morning and into the night. See you there!