Valley Forge Park hosts birthday party for Washington

UPPER MERION » Valley Forge National Historical Park and The Culinary Arts Institute of Montgomery County Community College teamed up to bring history to life for the 288th celebration of George Washington’s birthday. History has it that in 1778 at Valley Forge a group of drummers and fifers gathered in front of General Washington’s

quarters to serenade him on his birthday.

The public was invited to join George and Mrs. Washington, members of the Continental Army, and a variety of revelers to create birthday cards, enlist into the Continental Army, get a free slice or cupcake and meet soldiers of the 2nd PA Regiment.

Representing Historic Philadelphia Inc., John Lopes portrayed George

Washington and Carol Spacht will portray Martha Washington, noted Bob Donnelly, acting chief of interpretation and education.

The cakes are now a tradition that started as an “act of kindness” back in 2014, noted Joe Jacques, The Culinary Arts Institute of Montgomery County Community College lead instructor for baking and pastry arts.

“The school was doing a 50 Acts of Kindness for our 50th anniversary and this was one of the events that was chosen, baking the birthday cake for Washington’s birthday,” he explained.

“We now do it every year, with Martha’s Great Cake, cupcakes, and we also do a celebration cake where Washington comes out and we all sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him and he cuts the

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOMC Cole Gemmill practices the long jump as his dad Dan Gemmill, left, tracks his progress.