Jul 23, 2010 By Christine Haines 3 min read

Two full weekends of history and entertainment are on tap as the city of Washington in Washington County celebrates its bicentennial. Washington Heritage Days on Saturday and Sunday set the mood for the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the town. The event features re-enactors, speakers, music and historic cemetery tours. It is being held this weekend at Covenant Life Church on Point View Drive behind the old Canton Township Fire Hall.

Ambush and battle re-enactments will be held Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The evening closes with Zambelli fireworks at 10 p.m. Sunday’s event runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., with the story of the Great Revival of 1802 at 10:30 and an ambush re-enactment at 12:30. For more information about Heritage Days, call 724-228-3627.

The official bicentennial celebration kicks off Wednesday, July 28, with a tribute luncheon to retiring state Sen. J. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, and a special National Road Heritage Corridor dedication from noon until 3 p.m. at the Station Capital Patriots Pavilion, 139 S. Main St. There will be a concert by the Washington Symphony Orchestra & WashArts in that same location from 8 to 10 p.m.

Thursday is Wellness Day, with the Main Street Farmers Market and Washington Hospital Health and Wellness Fair at the Station Capital Patriots Pavilion. The farmers’ market runs from 3 to 6 p.m., and the wellness fair runs from 3 to 8 p.m.

From 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, the Off the Wall Theater on North Main Street will present “Cheesecake Jukebox.” Tickets are free but seating is limited, so reservations are required. Also, from 5:30 until 9 p.m. the Washington Celebration of African American Culture Exhibit will have its grand opening in the George Washington Room of the George Washington Hotel.

Friday is Community Day in the city. The Whiskey Rebellion dinner will be held at the George Washington Hotel starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required. There is free entertainment at the Station Capital Patriots Pavilion from 6 to 10 p.m., starting with the Washington Idol Contest followed at 8 p.m. by the Billy Price Band concert.

Saturday starts with the History, Heritage & Heroes Parade on Main Street at 10 a.m. It is also Washington Streetcar Day at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Re-enactors can be found at Washington Park, and the Whiskey Rebellion Festival will be held at Station Capital Patriots Pavilion from noon until 6 p.m. with history displays, re-enactors, crafts and a variety of musical performances.

More entertainment will be taking place from noon until 6 p.m. at the Community Festival at the Washington Financial Tent at Citizens Library.

The grand finale will be a concert on the lawn at Old Main on the Washington and Jefferson campus from 5 to 11 p.m. featuring bluegrass and country music artists Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and Big Kenny, also of Big & Rich. The winner of the Washington Idol contest will also be performing, as well as local bluegrass bands The Rusty Hay Whackers and The Joe Zelek Band.

The bicentennial celebration wraps up with fireworks at 11 p.m. Saturday.