National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon
The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a ceremony that takes place at the White House each year on November 27th. This year, President Barack Obama will be pardoning a turkey to kick off Thanksgiving in Washington, D.C. The history of this heart warming tradition involves the President of the United States being presented with a live turkey, and since 1989 during the first official Thanksgiving of President George H. W. Bush, the bird has been spared in a presidential pardon. The tradition was said to have begun around 1947 with the presidency of President Harry S. Truman who began the lighthearted tradition by pardoning a turkey outside the White House. However, since 1989 when the custom of pardoning the turkey became officially formalized, the pardoned turkey is taken to a farm where it will live a peaceful natural life. Most recently, in 2009, President Barack Obama pardoned a 45 pound turkey named Courage.
Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden
The Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden is located in Gaylord National’s 19 story atrium where visitors can gaze at loveable characters from Dr. Seuss’s famous books. The Sculpture Garden will showcase 4’6 high bronze statutes of The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, Yertle the Turtle, The Lorax, and Sam I Am which will be housed in the beautiful 19-story glass atrium of Gaylord National. Bring along the entire family to enjoy these iconic characters.
Dr. Seuss at Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor
The Art of Dr. Seuss: A Retrospective Exhibit
This commemoration of Dr. Theodor Geisel a.k.a Dr. Seuss’s life and work is a rare collection featuring photographs, original artwork, and early illustrations and editorial work. Audience members will uncover twenty-seven authorized editions of artwork and his Life Magazine pieces. Geisel’s infamous “Secret Art” collection which contains never before seen images from 1920-1990 will also be shown. Stop by the ICE! Pavilion, across the street from the Gaylord National Resort to witness these exceptional findings of one of the greatest story-tellers and illustrators of our generation.
ICE! 2010 at Gaylord National Resort
(November 18, 2010- January 9, 2011)
Gaylord National Resort is ready to begin their special holiday event schedule as part of Christmas on the Potomac. This year, the resort will feature amazing attractions with its new theme, Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. The Gaylord National Resort will create an amazing winter wonderland sculpted delicately by the hands of 40 internationally renowned artisans and 5,000 blocks of ice weighing a total of 2 million pounds. The resort will be showcasing numerous ice displays as part of their theme including Christmas Eve in Who-Ville, the Grinch’s frozen lair, a ramshackle sleigh with reindeer Max, the Roast Beast Feast, Christmas morning in Who-Ville and more! The specially created attraction will remain at a bone chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit so dress accordingly. The display will be open daily beginning November 18, 2010-January 9, 2011. Adults can receive admission for $24-29, Children ages 4-12 for $13-$18, and Children 3 and under are free. Discounted tickets for military, seniors and group of 20 or more are available. To purchase tickets online or for more information on this amazing display, visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com.
Veterans Day D.C. It All Tour
In honor of Veterans Day, OnBoard Tours invites you to take the D.C. It All! Tour which visits a number of significant memorials and sites honoring our military veterans. The tour begins at the Old Post Office, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, White House. The tour will also feature the following attractions: Arlington Cemetery, The FBI Building, National Archives, Union Station, Taft Memorial, Capitol Office Buildings, Washington Mall, World War I Memorial, Arlington House, National Cathedral, National Gallery of Art, Natural History Museum, Bureau of Engraving & Printing, Holocaust Museum, The Pentagon, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Kennedy Center, Watergate Complex, Georgetown University, Naval Observatory, Dupont Circle, and the D.C. Waterfront.
Veterans Day 2010
Veterans Day is the annual U.S. holiday which originally honored military veterans who served in World War I. Today Veterans Day commemorates veterans who have served in all wars and thanks them for the sacrifices they have made for our great country. The federal holiday is observed on November 11th and marks the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Germans officially signed the Armistice ending World War I. Washington, D.C. happens to be one of the best places to celebrate Veterans Day where visitors can tour the surrounding memorials and monuments. A number of special events are also held in honor of Veterans Day, see the below schedule for more information.
Navy Memorial
(November 11, 2010; 1p.m.; 701 Pennsylvania Ave.; NW, Washington, D.C.)
Air Force Memorial
(November 11, 2010; 11a.m.; One Air Force Memorial Dr.; Arlington, VA)
National Marine Corps Museum
(November 10, 2010; 11a.m. & 2p.m.; 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway; Triangle, VA)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(November 11, 2010; 1p.m.; Constitution Ave. & Henry Bacon Dr. NW, Washington, D.C.)
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes commemoration speeches, a wreath laying ceremony and a color guard performance.
Arlington National Cemetery
(November 11, 2010; 11a.m.; West Memorial Bridge across the Potomac River; Arlington, Virginia)
The Arlington National Cemetery is one of the largest Veterans Day services which takes place in the amphitheater. The event honors military veterans with speeches and a special wreath laying ceremony before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
World War II Memorial
(November 11, 2010; 9a.m.; 17th St. b/w Constitution & Independence Aves., NW Washington, D.C.)
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
(November 11, 2010; 11a.m. & 2p.m.; Mount Vernon, Virginia)
The Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens will be hosting a special Veterans Day celebration perfect for the entire family. The event features activities like a wreath-laying ceremony, speeches, a veteran barbershop chorus performance and more.
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is a new public tribute that will honor the three million plus individuals who are disabled American war veterans as well as those who have passed away. The memorial is designed as a star shaped reflecting pool and three walls of glass with writing and pictures as well as four bronze sculptures. The memorial will be built across from the U.S. Botanic Gardens and is visible from the U.S. Capitol building serving as a reminder of those who sacrifice their lives and health for our country. The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will take place on November 10, 2010 at 10:30a.m. It includes the participation of celebrities and politicians like Gary Sinise, the Memorial’s spokesperson, Lois Pope and Arthur H. Wilson and more. The project is expected to be complete on Veterans Day on November 11, 2012 and costs an approximated $86 million.
2010 Alexandria Film Festival
(November 4-7, 2010)
The Alexandria Film Festival is a longstanding tradition which gives newcomers and veteran filmmakers a chance to shine. The festival showcases 39 shorts, documentaries, narrative and animation films which will be screening all around the City of Alexandria, Virginia. The films vary in length and awards will be presented for Best of Fest Award, The Audience Award and The Jury Prize. Premiere films include “Griefwalker”, a feature film about a man who travels through Canada counseling troubled individuals through tragedy and director Hunter Week’s “Ride the Divide”. In addition, there may be short presentations to accompany choice films like “Leading Ladies”, a film about a family of ballroom dancers who will be available after the film screening to perform dances on November 5, 2010. Films will be screened at the following venues:
Torpedo Factory Art Center- 105 Union St., Alexandria, VA
AMC Hoffman Center 22- 206 Swamp Fox Rd., Alexandria, VA
The Athenaeum- 201 Prince St., Alexandria, VA
Convergence- 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA
The Durant Center- 1605 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA
The Lyceum- 201 S Washington St, Alexandria, VA
Old Town Theater- 815 1/2 King Street, Alexandria, VA
