Published on: Wednesday, February 18, 2009

By Trips & Getaways.com

Here are some weekend events brought to you by www.tripsandgetaways.com.

George Washington's 277th Birthday at Mount Vernon

On Feb. 22 (Sun, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), anyone named George, or whose birthday, like Washington’s, is Feb. 22, is admitted FREE upon presenting identification.

Contact: ww.mountvernon.org

Location: George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Black History Month, “Slave Life at Mount Vernon”

Slave Life Interpretation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wreathlaying at the Slave Memorial: Daily, 12 p.m.

First person interpretation at the Slave Cabin: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturdays & Sunday only

Greenhouse first-person presentation: 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays only

In observance of Black History Month, Mount Vernon interpreters highlight at the slave quarters the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington.  A wreathlaying and presentation occurs daily at the Slave Memorial site at 12 p.m. throughout the month of February.

 On Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month, visitors learn about life as a slave with Silla and Slammin’ Joe, two of Washington’s slaves, at the recently-opened slave cabin. Other enslaved first-person interpreters present their perspective on life at Mount Vernon, Saturdays & Sundays in the greenhouse at 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.  Black History Month activities are included in regular Estate admission: adults, $15; children ages 6-11, $7; and children under 5 are admitted free.

Contact: www.mountvernon.org

Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Maymont Flower & Garden Show

Colonial Williamsburg curator of plants Lawrence Griffith will present an illustrated lecture at the Maymont Flower & Garden Show at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19. The show will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 5th and Marshall Streets, Richmond, Va.

The Maymont Flower & Garden Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary of merging beauty, education and entertainment. This year’s theme is “It’s a Colorful World.”  Expect vibrant rivers of color and pockets of whimsy while strolling through display gardens built by Virginia’s most talented landscape professionals.

Tickets are $10 for adults with discounts for seniors on Thursday and Friday and free for children under age 12. Free parking and shuttle service are available from the Diamond during show hours.

Purchase tickets in advance by visiting www.macevents.com or by calling 1-800-332-3976 or at select ticket outlets.

Contact: Visit www.maymontflowershow.com.

Location: Richmond, Va.

Mardi Gras Weekend in Downtown Rehoboth Beach

Come to Mardi Gras the weekend of Feb. 20-22. Restaurants will have New Orleans-inspired food, Bourbon Street beverages, Gumbo Cook-Off at participating restaurants, incredible parties, and beads, beads, beads!

Over a dozen downtown Rehoboth restaurants are gearing up for Mardi Gras festivities Feb. 20-22, featuring special New Orleans cuisine and Cajun cooking, Bourbon Street beverages, Mardi Gras parties, live music and beads, beads, beads! In addition, each restaurant will help raise money for a charity of their choice.

Participating restaurants will all feature New Orleans cuisine for the entire weekend along with two incredible special events. Restaurants are Cloud 9, Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, Dos Locos, Finbar’s Pub & Grill, Frogg Pond, Grotto Pizza,  Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant, Lupo di Mare,  Mariachi Restaurant, Purple Parrot Grill, Retro Café and Grille, Stoney Lonen, and Victoria’s Restaurant.

On Saturday morning, Feb. 21, Main Street and Concierge by the Sea are presenting the inaugural Chef Showdown: Rehoboth, 11am-2pm, at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center at 37 Baltimore Avenue. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling 302-227-2772. Three of our own area top chefs will compete in the preparation of an appetizer and main course, all with the theme Flavor of New Orleans.  Check out www.downtownrehoboth.com for details.

The annual Gumbo Cook Off, will be held Sunday, Feb. 22. Stop by participating restaurants to taste and vote! Tastings are 4 -7 p.m. Ballots are $5 each, and give you a taste of the gumbo at each participating establishment.  Get your ballots by calling 227-2772, at the Main Street office or the participating restaurants.

Contact: Call 302-227-2772 or visit www.rehomain.com.

Location: Downtown Rehoboth Beach

“George Washington and His Generals” Exhibition

Opening Feb. 21 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Beginning Feb. 21, Historic Mount Vernon’s F.M. Kirby Gallery in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum hosts a special new exhibition, George Washington & His Generals.  For the first time, a collection of over 120 paintings, personal artifacts and manuscripts associated with the generals of the Continental and French armies who served under George Washington will be on display.  George Washington and His Generals exhibition will remain on view through Jan. 10, 2010.  Admission to the F.M. Kirby Gallery is included with regular admission: $15 for adults; $7 for children, five and under are free.

Contact: www.mountvernon.org

Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

African American Pioneers in Aviation

Discover the early African American pilots who fought to overcome discrimination and became heroes of the skies. Enjoy storytelling, tours, and hands-on activities. 

Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Throughout the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Admission: Free, Parking $12.

Contact: www.nasm.si.edu

Location: 14390 Air and Space Parkway, Chantilly, Va.

Black History Month Weekend in Colonial Williamsburg

Black History Month Weekend is Feb. 21-22. Each program will allow guests to develop a more in-depth understanding of how the American Revolution impacted the African American struggle for freedom and quest for liberty and equality.

Saturday, Feb. 21

God Save the King, 10 a.m. to noon, Public Gaol. Encounter enslaved men Joe and Dick who recently sought freedom with the British. Discover how their quest for freedom landed them in the Williamsburg Gaol.

A Long Cold Walk, 1:30 p.m., Gaol to Courthouse. Witness the march of enslaved men Joe and Dick from the Gaol to the Courthouse, where they are questioned by the local authorities about their efforts to join the British army.

The Examination of Joe & Dick, Black Loyalists, 2, 2:45 and 3:30 p.m.

God is My Rock, 4 p.m., DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.

From Ear to Ear, 7 p.m., DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Explore the roots of 18th-century African American music during this exciting musical concert.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Slavery and the Law, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Capitol.  Today, explore the impact these laws had on those who were not free. Discover the role that this building played in the lives of slaves and free blacks.

Freedom to Slavery, 10 a.m. to noon, every 20 minutes, Millinery Shop. Reservations required.

The Price of Freedom, 12:30 p.m., DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. A simultaneous look at how freedom is viewed from the perspective of two communities: one white, one black, one free and one enslaved. Reservations required.

Contact: Call 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg’s Web site at www.history.org.

Location: Colonial Williamsburg, Va.

For more information on Mid-Atlantic getaways, visit www.tripsandgetaways.com.