The Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) is preparing to host the first Founder’s Day event following the recent establishment of the new local holiday by the Centralia City Council.
The event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at George Washington Park in downtown Centralia.
Attendees will honor George Washington, the son of an enslaved man who overcame racism as he moved west and established the town of Centerville, which later became Centralia.
This year's event will feature a welcome from Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston followed by a talk and original song from local author and historian Brian Mittge focused on Washington’s life and legacy in Centralia, according to a news release from the downtown association.
“I am excited to celebrate Centralia’s first Founder’s Day,” Smith Johnston stated in the release. “George and Mary Jane Washington’s example of resilience and generosity is an inspiration for me and has shaped Centralia in many positive ways.”
Attendees will hear jazz music from Dmitri Matheny, who is donating his time for the event. Music in the Park will directly follow Founder’s Day festivities until 8 p.m., featuring Seattle-based rock band King Youngblood.
The Centralia Timberland Library will be on hand to provide a children’s activity — Giant Bubbles in the park, another annual favorite for locals. Event attendees are also encouraged to visit the library, where books on George Washington and Centralia’s history will be readily available for check out.
New George Washington merchandise from the CDA will be available by donation, with proceeds going to the newly established George Washington Scholarship Fund, headed up by Mittge. Mittge will also have copies of “George Washington of Centralia,” the book he co-authored with Kerry MacGregor Serl on Washington’s life, available for purchase should attendees wish to delve deeper into Washington and the history of Centralia.
Alongside a self-guided walking tour of points of interest in George’s life, attendees are encouraged to check out the George Washington Museum, located in the CDA office at 214 N. Tower Ave. Free maps will be available at the event for the walking tour. Local George Washington researcher Heather Beaird will be on hand to answer questions and share stories about Washington’s life..
“We’re thrilled to be able to honor Our George Washington with this new annual event,” said MacKenzie McGee, executive director of the CDA. “His legacy of generosity, caring and loving where you live truly lives on in the hearts of Centralians today, and that’s something worth celebrating.”
Food and drink vendors will also be present in George Washington Park, selling wares to visitors all the way through the Music in the Park finale.
The event is getting attention outside of Centralia as well. Tacoma-based PBS station KBTC will have a film crew at the event for an upcoming segment on Centralia’s founder. The piece should air within a few weeks of the event.
While the city holiday is established on George Washington’s birthday, Aug. 15, the CDA intends to throw an annual public event in George Washington Park on the closest Saturday to that date each year.
To learn more about Washington, visit https://tinyurl.com/dsfc4v6a.
