How to Attend the President's Day Birthnight Banquet and Ball

Celebrate President's Day this year by attending the George Washington Birthnight Banquet and Ball in Alexandria, Virginia. The festivities commemorate the birthday of our first chief executive with a period dinner and dance. Held at Gadsby's Tavern Museum on the third Saturday of February, the evening features an eighteenth-century banquet with desserts, English country dancing, and guest appearances by General and Mrs. George Washington themselves!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Period clothing (optional)

1. Buy your Birthnight Banquet and Ball tickets in advance. This can be done online at the Alexandria website or by calling Gadsby's at 703-838-4242 (see Resources below). Tickets typically go on sale several months before the President's Day gala. For about half the price, you can buy Birthnight Ball tickets alone and skip the banquet. For double the usual price, you can become an event sponsor and attend both banquet and ball, have your name printed on the event program and receive recognition during the dinner. Proceeds benefit museum research, education and preservation programs.
2. Prepare for the President's Day bash by taking an English country dance class, offered in three sessions starting in January at the Museum. Basic dance instruction also will be given at the Ball.
3. Decide on a method of transportation. Several buses stop near the Tavern Museum, but it is about 1.5 miles from the nearest Metro station. There are parking garages close by, and 2 to 3 hours of metered parking is available right in front of the Museum.
4. Find suitable attire for the event. Dressing in eighteenth-century costume is optional, but semi-formal dress is encouraged if you choose not to wear period clothing.
5. Bring your tickets and dancing shoes to Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria, Virginia, at 5:30p.m.on the night of the President's Day Birthnight Banquet and Ball.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan on spending extra money if you want to buy Tavern drinks during the Birthnight Ball portion.
• Buy your Birthnight Banquet and Ball tickets as early as possible, as they sell out every year.
• Parking may be hard to find. Plan to attend the event early and bring cash for the parking garages or plenty of quarters for the meters.
• Be aware that the Museum is not handicapped accessible beyond the first floor.