The Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum threw open its doors on July 3 for a full day of festivities honoring America’s 250th birthday — and from the moment the doors opened, there was barely a lull in the action. Thousands of guests turned out to celebrate the milestone throughout the day and into the night.
Community meet-and-greets featuring service vehicles from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and Waste Management, along with a petting zoo, offered guests of all ages a hands-on experience. Guests then stepped back in time, meeting Presidents George Washington, John Adams, Dwight Eisenhower, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses Grant in the East Room throughout the day, with Revolutionary War skirmish demonstrations and an Abigail Adams spool demonstration rounding out the living-history lineup.
The celebration shifted into high gear as evening approached. A 70-car showcase of classic American automobiles rolled onto the grounds at 5:00 PM, followed by a patriotic flyover from the Tiger Squadron and a swearing-in ceremony by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services welcoming the newest Americans.
Music carried the night forward, with Bubba and The Big Bad Blues taking the Pat Nixon Amphitheater stage, followed by birthday cake to celebrate America’s 250th. Heartland Country then took the stage to keep the live music going, and the night closed with a fireworks finale lighting up the sky.
The patriotic spirit carried into the holiday weekend. On July 4, guests kicked off Independence Day with Morning with the Presidents, enjoying donuts and coffee alongside George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and James Madison as they shared stories from our nation’s history, along with the chance to sample the teas that were part of the Boston Tea Party. The following day, the celebration closed out with a Patriotic Concert, featuring a 75-piece concert band performing in the Nixon Library’s White House East Room Replica, complete with a special introduction by George Washington.
The Richard Nixon Foundation extends thanks to Banc of California for its generous sponsorship, which helped make this unforgettable weekend of celebration possible.
