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And Don't Forget About ...
By M. Franco Salvoza
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 1997
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If you'd rather celebrate a traditional holiday in a non-traditional way, here are some ideas:
- Take an early tour of historic homes. The doors to Mt. Vernon's decorated mansion stay open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until January 13. Visitors can enjoy carols, hot cider, ginger cookies, and tours of George Washington's gardens and stables. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. Call 1-800-429-1420 or 703/ 780-2000 for details.
- Attend one of the First Night celebrations in Alexandria, Annapolis, Leesburg, Montgomery County, or Warrenton. All
are run individually, but almost all are street festivals including fireworks at midnight, artistic and musical performances by local bands, magicians, mimes, clowns or storytellers. To join in the fun, buy an entrance pin for anywhere from $5 to $14 per person.
- If you're looking for a little more intrigue in your New Year's, the Holiday Inn Chevy Chase (301/ 656-1500) offers a "Murder Mystery" package. Participants can put their heads together and help solve the murder of a "guest," or just dance the night away in the ballroom. This package, which also includes cocktail hour, dinner, party favors and a room, range from $249 for couples to $299 for a small group. Rockville's Dave &
Buster's has a similar Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre package that includes a four-course dinner and champagne countdown for $105.99. The Murder Mystery package at the Savoy Suites in Georgetown (202/ 333-6875) costs $75 per person.
- Start early and celebrate from noon to 3 p.m. at the Capital Children's Museum, where kids can make their own party favors and hats. Call 202/ 675-4120 for details.
- Ring in the New Year with a chuckle at a local comedy club. Downtown's Improv will hold a New Year's Eve Gala, starring Allan Havey from Comedy Central. Advance reservations are required. They offer several options from $25 to $50 a person, including a dinner package, a show-only package, and another that includes a second comedy show. Call 202/ 296-7008 for info. Garvin's at the Tysons Westpark Hotel (703/ 734-2800 x.7880) offers a package with a room, champagne, dancing and comedy for $229 a couple.
- Take in the sights at one of several festivals of light. Thousands of lights will decorate bushes and trees for nightly strolls or drive-throughs in Maryland suburbs Upper Marlboro (301/ 699-2545), Columbia, Gaithersburg (301/ 258-6310), Kensington and Virginia's Centreville (703/ 709-KIDS). Some will hold choral concerts, and several ask for donations of toys or cans of food to benefit local charities.
- Sweat some pounds off before partying by participating in the Red Ribbon 5K Run in Alexandria. Registrations fees are $15 before December 19th, and $20 after the 19th. The race begins at the Alexandria Holiday Inn at 4 p.m. Call 703/ 241-0395 for info.
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