Thursday, Aug. 25, will kick off a Centennial celebration for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O) at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac. To celebrate the Centennial, all National Park entrance fees are waived from Aug. 25-28.
Thursday, Aug. 25
NPS 100th Birthday Celebration
11 a.m.-noon: Free mule-drawn Canal boat ride. This hour- long ride is limited to the first 60 people.
12:15 p.m.: Ranger Talk will highlight the first 100 years of the National Park Service
12:30 p.m.: Blow out the candles on the NPS birthday cake and share in a piece of cake.
1-1:30 p.m.: Seasonal staff and volunteers will present a Canal-era fashion show.
The celebration will also include a photo booth for visitors to remember their visit and a giant birthday card to commemorate the event.
Saturday, Aug. 27
(Rain date Aug. 28)
Dog Days of Summer Celebration
9-11 a.m.: Guided nature hike exploring area near Great Falls led by author of the book “Potomac Pathways,” Napier Shelton.
11:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.: 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.
12-4 p.m.: Book signing at the Visitor Center by Napier Shelton, author of the book Potomac Pathways.
Sunday, Aug. 28
Dog Days Celebration
12:15 p.m.: Ranger program will feature stories of the ice houses along the Canal.
1-3 p.m.: Historic ice cream-making demonstrations.
4-4:30 p.m. 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 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Prices are $8 for adults (ages 16-61), $6 for seniors (ages 62-plus), and $5 for children (ages 4-15). Children aged three and under ride free.
Check the NPS 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 with #CandOcanal #great falls #towpath #mules #potomac #NPSCentennial. Call 301-767-3714 for more information.