MEDIA ADVISORY
for Thursday, October 16 at Noon
D.C. Olympic Bid representative to discuss role of Games in preparing area for 2024 Olympics
Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games (www.fairfax2015.com) – one of the largest multi-sport events in the world – will announce key venues, Legacy plans and more at a National Press Club news conference on October 16. The Games are expected to draw over 12,000 participants and as many as 30,000 Games family visitors to the Washington metropolitan area next summer. The international event unites law enforcement officers and firefighters from more than 70 countries around the world in athletic competition.
A Washington 2024 representative will also speak at the event regarding the role of the Games related to the D.C. Olympic bid.
WHAT: At the event, announcements will be made regarding:
- Games overview and updates
- Opening and closing ceremony venues
- Games Legacy partners and initiatives
- Relationship to the Washington 2024 Olympic Bid
- Branding of the Games
WHERE: The National Press Club - 529 14th St. NW, Washington, DC - Holeman Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, October 16 at 12 pm - The announcement will be followed by a Q&A and Games Demo and a luncheon at 1:00 p.m.
WORLDWIDE: As a truly global event, the World Police & Fire Games will draw athletes from 70 different nations. Some of the nations that have historically provided the largest numbers of athletes include Spain, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, England, Mexico and Sweden.
WHO:
- Bill Knight, Fairfax 2015 President and CEO
- Washington 2024 Representative
- Kevin Reynolds, Fairfax 2015 Board Chair
- Fairfax County Police Chief, Edwin C. Roessler, Jr.
- Fairfax County Fire Chief, Richard R. Bowers
- Fairfax County Sheriff, Stacey Kincaid
- Public Safety Athletes
DEMO: The news conference will feature demos of two of the sports scheduled to take place as part of next summer’s competition
RSVP: Kerry Lynn Bohen, Brotman|Winter|Fried: kbohen@aboutbwf.com or 703.533.4823 (Mobile 202.468.8300)
About the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games
The World Police & Fire Games is one of the largest multi-sport events in the world, surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games. The event draws more than 12,000 athletes from police, fire and other public safety agencies representing 70 different countries to compete in 1,600 medal events across 40 sports. Fairfax 2015 is a nonprofit 501(c)3 established to organize, manage and operate all activities related to hosting the 2015 Games which will take place throughout the National Capital Region June 26 to July 5, 2015. Visit www.fairfax2015.com for more information.
2014 Blossom Current Status: Peak bloom is forecast for April 8-12
The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation's capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington's rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms.
Hundreds of thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Cherry trees surround the Tidal Basin and line the shores of the Potomac River and Washington Channel. Head toward the Thomas Jefferson Memorial or stroll along Ohio Drive SW to see trees.
Take public transportation! The nearest METRO (subway) stop to the Cherry Blossom Festival and the National Mall and Memorial Parks' blossoms is Smithsonian. Other nearby stations include Foggy Bottom, L'Enfant Plaza, and Arlington Cemetery.
Tidal Basin Daily Programs March 29 - April 13, 2014:
Cherry Blossom Talk
Daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 p.m.
Meet at Thomas Jefferson Memorial plaza.
Walk with a Ranger
Daily at 2:00 p.m.
Meet at Lincoln Memorial plaza. Explore memorials and cherry blossoms on a guided walk.
Memorial Talks and Tours
Explore the park's memorials on short programs with rangers at the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans, World War II, Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson Memorials. Talks and tours start every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Weekends at the Tidal Basin:
Running Tour
Saturdays: 3/29, 4/5, 4/12
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Meet at Washington Monument Lodge (15th St. adjacent to Washington Monument).
Junior Ranger Activity Zone
Saturdays and Sundays: 3/29, 3/30, 4/5, 4/6, 4/12, 4/13
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tidal Basin Welcome Area
Pups ‘n’ Petals Dog Walk
Sundays: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13
1:00 p.m. Lincoln Memorial
Bring your furry friend for a walk among the cherry blossoms. All dogs must be leashed.
Bike Tour
Saturdays and Sundays: 3/29, 3/30, 4/5, 4/6, 4/12, 4/13
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Meet at Thomas Jefferson Memorial plaza.
Bring your own bike, helmet, and water for a leisurely ride.
Locals in the National Capital Region know the Tidal Basin isn't the only place to enjoy the blossoms! Explore the our map below to find additional viewing locations.
