'The West Wing' in D.C.: It's a Wrap!

Before "The West Wing," Washington was a town full of wonks. After the show debuted in 1999, it was a town full of sexy, witty wonks. This weekend, the cast and crew are shooting here for the last time -- in Cleveland Park, at the White House and in Baltimore for Leo's funeral. It's the first time they've been back since spring 2004, when much of the storyline moved to the campaign trail, but for the first five seasons we saw them three or four times a year -- about 20 visits that pumped an estimated $16 million into the local economy. And so Mayor Tony Williams has declared today "The West Wing Day."

- - -

"When we first started, everyone in D.C. was very skeptical -- entertainment types had generally not painted D.C. with a positive brush. Then Aaron Sorkin created this world in 'The West Wing' where public service was treated as a noble cause. The cast were like rock stars by the middle of that second or third year. To have D.C. give us that respect back, out of appreciation for showing what they do in a good light, meant a lot."

-- former co-executive producer Llewellyn Wells

- - -

Memorable D.C. shoots:

A massive funeral scene, and a blistering Martin Sheen monologue, at Washington National Cathedral (second season finale).

The burial at Arlington Cemetery of a homeless vet whose story haunts Toby.

President Bartlet and staff playing basketball at a hoop set up on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. Wells: "With some coaxing, [officials] said yes.

- - -

The show employed about 500 local actors on each visit.

Extras: $116 for eight hours union, $100 a day non-union.