Washington drank here

Parade celebrates nation’s first president Warwick — On Saturday, July 29, in honor of the Historical Societies annual George Washington Day Parade Dean Malissa, of the American Historical Theatre Workshop, will play army general, commander-in-chief, and first president of the United States George Washington. On the anniversary of when Washington’s entourage traveled through Warwick in 1782, Washington, played by Malissa, will be hosted at Baird Tavern where he stopped for refreshment. He may also visit the upstairs bedroom at Francis Baird’s establishment where his wife Martha stayed as she traveled. Washington will lead the parade, which starts at 2 p.m. at Baird Tavern, and he will discuss his Warwick visits and other events during his public service at 7 p.m. at the Old School Baptist Meeting House. He will be mixing with the crowd at a Lost Arts Festival at 3 p.m. and at a covered dish picnic at 6 p.m., both events will be in Lewis Park where the day will end with Square Dancing from 8-11 p.m. Malissa is one of two actors sanctioned by Mount Vernon to portray the first president. Malissa has interpreted Washington at Mount Vernon, The White House Visitor Center, the Smithsonian and many other historical venues. He has also been Washington for presentations on The Discovery Channel and CNN. The Historical Society’s buildings are open and offer free tours Tuesdays and Saturdays from 2-4:30 p.m. during the summer.