Frederick County’s National Parks

Free evening program celebrates Frederick County’s National Parks with

a “sneak preview” of the new Ken Burns’ film, special guests, activities and displays

Thursday, September 24, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.

Frederick, MD - The Tourism Council of Frederick County, Maryland and the City of Frederick’s Weinberg Center for the Arts proudly announce a special program at the Weinberg Theater on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in celebration of Frederick County’s five National Park Service sites. The program is free and open to the public and offers a “sneak preview” of Ken Burns’ new documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea that premiers on PBS September 27, and special remarks from Peggy O'Dell, National Park Service Regional Director for the National Capital Region. During the evening presentation, the public can learn how they can become more engaged with the National Parks in our area.

Additionally, personnel and volunteers from the parks will be on hand with displays and activities to encourage guests to discover the “battle that saved Washington” at Monocacy National Battlefield, learn about the early fabric of our country as reflected in WPA and CCC projects at Catoctin Mountain Park, experience transportation history along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and enjoy the majestic splendor of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Likewise, representatives from Maryland’s Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and the Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway will share ways these resources can enrich National Park experiences in Frederick County. The heritage area and byway, both partners in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, are managed by the Tourism Council of Frederick County.

“Frederick County is proud to be the home of so many rich and diverse National Park Service resources,” say John Fieseler, director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County. The September 24 event is a free, family-oriented, program. “We hope you will join us on this occasion to celebrate our National Parks, and to encourage our citizenry to enjoy and care for America’s treasures, with a special focus on those in our own backyard.”

The Weinberg Center for the Arts is located at 20 W. Patrick Street in Frederick, Maryland. For more information about the Weinberg Center, visit www.weinbergcenter.org. To learn more about Frederick County, visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County website at www.fredericktourism.org. Frederick County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.com), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org).