Daytime Fireworks, New Spy Adventure App, and Military Reenactments on Independence Day
MOUNT VERNON, VA—George Washington’s Mount Vernon salutes our first commander-in-chief with a dazzling display of made-for-daytime fireworks during its annual Independence Day event! Visitors will be treated to spectacular smoke fireworks in patriotic colors fired over the Potomac River at 1 p.m. Mount Vernon’s Independence Day event also includes an inspirational naturalization ceremony for 100 new citizens, military reenactments, a special wreathlaying ceremony, free birthday cake for all (while supplies last), and a visit from the “first” first couple, “General and Mrs. Washington.”
New This Year: Test your espionage skills with a new spy adventure app! Launching on July 4, the Agent 711: Revolutionary Spy Adventure App gives would-be “secret agents” a chance to go undercover as members of General Washington’s spy ring. After downloading the app to smartphones, players travel across the estate to complete eight challenges. In each step of the game, they try their hands at Revolutionary-era spycraft techniques such as ciphers, secret ink, hidden messages, and careful observation of the enemy. For more details, please visit mountvernon.org/spyadventure.
Six hundred limited-edition aged George Washington Rye Whiskey 375 mL bottles will be available for purchase at 10 a.m. for $188 each. The aged George Washington Rye Whiskey was made at the reconstructed Distillery according to the original recipe. Aged on site in charred oak barrels for two years, Mount Vernon’s aged whiskey represents a break with tradition: George Washington himself never aged his own whiskey, sending it straight to market instead. The result is a whiskey that evokes Washington’s spirit of creativity and enterprise, appealing to modern-day whiskey connoisseurs with its mellow flavor, rich color, and pleasing appearance.
July has always been a time of celebration at George Washington’s farm as it marks the beginning of the wheat harvest season. To celebrate Washington the farmer, field hands will kick-off the season on Independence Day with wheat-treading demonstrations at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site. Costumed staff will lead Mount Vernon’s horses as they tread wheat in the 16-sided barn. Visitors can witness Washington’s innovative treading process, learning first-hand how Washington separated grain from straw.
An American Celebration at Mount Vernon takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All events are included in regular Estate admission: adults, $18; children ages 6-11, $9; and children under 5 are admitted free. The Agent 711: Revolutionary Spy Adventure App can be purchased from the iTunes App Store or Google Play for $2.99. Please visit to www.MountVernon.org for more information.
###
