Spring Festival At Great Falls Park Had Mules, Music And More To Offer

Members of the Northern Virginia Mountain Players perform during the Great Falls Park Spring in the Park Festival Saturday
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park’s first Spring in the Park was celebrated by the visitors this past weekend. The park plans to repeat this event annually. On Saturday, an event named  Mules, Music and More was held. The event featured Dolly, one of the mules that pull the Charles F. Mercer canal boat. Dolly was just back from her winter at Mount Vernon in Virginia, ready to greet visitors, especially the children who couldn’t keep from petting her and asking Ranger Mark Myers questions about Dolly and the other mules who will summer at Great Falls. According to www.connectionnewspapers.com, "Saturday would have been the first day for the Mercer to set off through Lock 20, in front of the Tavern, and up the canal, while riders learned about life on canal boats that used the canal between Georgetown in D.C. to Cumberland, 184.5 miles west. Unfortunately, the Mercer will not be sharing floating history lessons until late this summer. Work on locks below the Tavern was delayed by the federal government shutdown, and the weather and the canal do not have water."
Terry Bender, the member of the National Capital Chapter of Music Box Society, plays his Raffin Street Organ in front of the Tavern at Great Falls Park Sunday
Northern Virginia Mountain Players played music outside the tavern which added to the festive atmosphere. There were three dulcimer players and two banjo players in the band who played music as well as answered the questions about the instruments. As per www.connectionnewspapers.com, "Also included on Saturday, were tents from Leave No Trace, The C&O Canal Trust and an initiative called BARK, spelling out rules park visitors need to know when visiting with their dogs. Sunday was another day of learning at the park. Visitors were greeted by the sounds of an organ grinder, Terry Bender, playing music on a Raffin Street Organ from Germany. Bender and others, playing at different sites around the Tavern, are all members of the National Capital Chapter of the Music Box Society." The Festival wound down on Monday with a typical day at the Park. The tavern was open with displays and games for visitors and Park volunteers available to answer questions or point hikers to the different trails around the Tavern.

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Maryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.