The National Parks: Special Events

Shirlington Library Screening

Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 3 pm
Join us for a preview screening of portions of the first episode of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. The free event is at the Shirlington branch of the Arlington Public Library and features a speaker and 45-minute screening. To learn more, call 703-228-6545. Free parking is available in adjacent garages.
» Directions to Shirlington Library

Arlington House Screening

Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 7 pm
You're invited to attend a public screening of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, which was the home of Robert E. Lee and is a National Park Service site. The free, 90-minute event features speakers, a tour of Arlington House and the grounds, and a screening on the steps of the house before the dramatic backdrop of the Washington skyline.

Arlington House is located inside Arlington National Cemetery. Entry will be through the Arlington Cemetery front gate, and parking is available near the house. Reservations are required, as this will be an after-hours event at the cemetery. For reservations, please call 703-235-1530.
» Arlington House website

The National Parks Celebration from Central Park

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 7 pm

You are welcome to attend a special event called “The National Parks Celebration from Central Park,” sponsored by PBS and the National Parks Conservation Association. The live event will occur in New York’s Central Park and will be downlinked via satellite and only viewable in our area through this closed-circuit screening at WETA.

The program will include clips from The National Parks: America’s Best Idea; musical performances by artists including Alison Krauss, Carole King, Chris Botti, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), Gavin DeGraw and others; and remarks from filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger and other speakers in a celebration of the country’s national parks.

Join us from 7:00 – 9:30 pm at WETA’s headquarters at 2775 South Quincy Street in Arlington, Virginia. Additional speakers will take the podium at WETA at 7 p.m., followed by the Central Park event viewing at 8 p.m.

Seating is limited and reservations are required.
» Click here to RSVP
» Directions to WETA

September 26 National Day of Service and Celebration

Saturday, September 26

Visit any one of the 14 Washington area national parks for free on National Public Lands Day, September 26, which has been designated a day of national service and celebration. No entrance fees will be charged and the Washington Monument will have extended hours from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Everyone is invited to volunteer on the morning of September 26. Each park is hosting volunteer service projects, interpretive programs, and clean-ups. Please arrive early for sign-in and to fill out parental approval forms, and be prepared by bringing water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sturdy, comfortable shoes.
» Learn more on the National Park Service website

America's Best Idea Celebration on the Ellipse

Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 5 pm - 8:30 pm

To celebrate America’s Best Idea and to share our local national parks, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to the South Ellipse (near the White House) for an evening of fun, family and a film! Enjoy a sneak peek of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.

5:00 - 7:00 pm – Family fun, activities and music on the Ellipse
7:00 - 8:30 pm – Film preview with Ken Burns and other special guests

For more information, please call 202-619-7222. The event is free and open to the public.
» Directions to the Ellipse

An Evening with Filmmaker Ken Burns

September 29, 2009
Join us at the Rock Creek Park home of Sharon Percy Rockefeller, WETA President and CEO, for an intimate evening and reception with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.

Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, producer/writer, will talk about their latest series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, why they chose this topic, and how this latest project fits into Ken’s 25-year distinguished body of work created in partnership with WETA.

This event is the first in the WETA Leadership Circle Salon Series for 2009-2010. The series is designed for WETA's loyal and generous donors, with our deepest appreciation. To learn more about Leadership Circle events and levels of support, please contact David Howie or call 703-998-2443.