National Harbor Celebrates Fifteen Years with Music and Arts on April 1
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., March 28, 2023—In just 15 years, National Harbor has become a major destination in the Mid-Atlantic region. The 350-acre property now exceeds 10,000,000 sq. ft. with eight hotels, 40 restaurants, 180 stores and 2700 residences. It also includes a robust waterfront with water activities and water taxi to historic Mt. Vernon, Old Town Alexandria and Washington, D.C. The destination overall is 70% complete and now attracts more than 15.2 million annual visitors.
To celebrate this 15-year milestone, National Harbor will feature performances and showcase musicians and artists from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 at National Harbor’s new Spirit Park (115 Waterfront) amphitheater, National Harbor Plaza stage (150 National Plaza) and the Capital Canopy (adjacent to the Plaza Stage.) Performers include FAME Jazz Band, Marcel Penzes Group, Pink Palish, Langston Hughes II and Spur of the Moment. In addition, there will be poetry readings, an art exhibit and vendors and a drumming workshop and demonstration. Attendees will be able to meet and greet performers from 4 to 6 p.m. More information and a full schedule is available here.
Visitors can also stroll National Harbor’s Waterfront District and shop its unique boutiques and stores. The destination has become known for its support of entrepreneurs. Many start up businesses began at National Harbor like tech company Cloudforce and restaurateurs Knead Hospitality and SRG Concepts. Additionally, it has become home to more than a dozen minority-owned restaurants and retail shops—all enjoying success.
National Harbor is a first for many accomplishments. First waterfront entertainment destination to gain access off of 95/495 with its own dedicated entry and exits. First development in the Mid-Atlantic to welcome a 2,000 room hotel, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. First regional destination to welcome a world-class casino MGM National Harbor. All these first were led by one visionary developer, Milt Peterson, founder of Peterson Companies.
Not only has the property provided employment for more than 12,500 people, it has been an economic engine for Prince Georges County and the state of Maryland. MGM National Harbor, that opened just over six years ago was recently named as the “highest grossing commercial casino in terms of gaming revenue outside of Nevada,” according to the American Gaming Association.
“When Milt Peterson, first saw the piece of land, he saw something that no one else saw,” said Jon Peterson, CEO Peterson Companies. “As a developer, we always look to provide what a community is needing and there was an opportunity in southern Prince George’s County for residential, retail, restaurants, and office space. Therefore, we created this mini-city right on the Potomac River. My father Milt always said, let’s provide something that’s fun for the family as a getaway, that was part of the vision. It was to provide something here for everyone and as you can tell after 15 years, there is something here for everyone.”
Since its inception, National Harbor has also celebrated renowned artists with their artwork throughout the property and in MGM National Harbor. Some of these include African American artists Sam Gilliam, Martha Jackson Jarvis and Cheryl Foster. In addition, lifelike statues of Frederick Douglass and Louis Armstrong are part of National Harbor’s popular outdoor art walk. There’s a free outdoor art walk that showcases the history and the artists through a guided cell phone tour. The art collection is outstanding.
For more info on National Harbor, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.
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About National Harbor
Situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River and just minutes from the nation’s capital, National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination unlike any other. National Harbor is home to two of Maryland’s Four Diamond rated hotels—Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the East Coast’s largest non-gaming hotel and convention center and has almost 2,000 hotel rooms and 660,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and MGM National Harbor, an integrated luxury casino resort with renowned chef-driven restaurants, a 3,000-seat state-of-the art theater and one of the largest gaming floors outside of Las Vegas. The vibrant Waterfront District features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment options along picturesque promenades. The iconic Capital Wheel, a 180-ft observation wheel, Tanger Outlets’ 85 designer brands, and a robust calendar of events round out this destination that welcomes more than 15 million visitors a year. For more information, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.