Celebrate 100 years of National Parks

Date: August 22, 2016
Contact: Kelly Fox, 301-491-1123

Potomac, MD - Thursday, August 25 will kick off a Centennial celebration for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O) at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, Maryland 20854. To celebrate the Centennial, all National Park Entrance Fees are waived from August 25-August 28.

Thursday, August 25, NPS 100th Birthday Celebration

11:00am-12:00pm FREE Mule-Drawn Canal boat ride. This hour long ride is limited to the first 60 people.

12:15pm: Ranger Talk will highlight the first 100 years of the National Park Service

12:30pm Blow out the candles on the NPS birthday cake and share in a piece of cake!

1:00pm-1:30pm Seasonal Staff and Volunteers will present a Canal-era fashion show.

The celebration will also include a photo booth for you to remember your visit and a giant birthday card to commemorate the event.

Saturday, August 27 (rain date August 28), Dog Days of Summer Celebration

9:00am-11:00am Guided Nature Hike exploring area near Great Falls led by author of the book Potomac Pathways, Napier Shelton.

11:45am and 2:15pm The Washington Revels Maritime Voices will perform. The Revels will present traditional songs of the C&O Canal and other canal waterways of America, as well as some songs of the sea and shore. Come and sing along!.

12:00pm to 4:00pm Book signing at the Visitor Center by Napier Shelton, author of the book Potomac Pathways.

Sunday, August 28 Dog Days Celebration - Celebrate trying to stay cool during the Dog Days of Summer C&O Canal era style!

12:15pm Ranger program will feature Stories of the Ice Houses along the Canal.

1:00pm-3:00pm Historic ice cream making demonstrations.

4:00pm-4:30pm Seasonal Staff and Volunteers will present a Canal-era fashion show.  

All events will take place at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.

These events and all ranger programs are FREE and open to the public. Mule-Drawn Canal boat rides are also offered at 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Prices: $8.00 for adults (ages 16-61), $6.00 for seniors (ages 62 +), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-15). Children aged three and under ride free.

Check our Website and Facebook page for additional special event information and ranger-led programs.www.nps.gov/choh,www.facebook.com/chesapeakeandohiocanal Join in the conversation this summer! #CandOcanal #great falls #towpath #mules #potomac #NPSCentennial. Please call 301-767-3714 for more information.