'George Washington' ready to celebrate in Irwin

Although George Washington likely never visited Irwin borough, he will be making an appearance there this month.

Gary Ed of North Huntingdon will portray our nation’s first president during a 250th anniversary celebration marking the founding of Westmoreland County. The event is from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 23 at Brandy’s on Main at 200 Main St.

Even though Irwin Borough wasn’t founded until 1864, almost 100 years after the creation of the county, organizers wanted to host a party to mark the special occasion.

There will be complimentary appetizers and a birthday cake. Those attending will pay for their own food, beer and other drinks. An open microphone stage in the basement will start at 8 p.m.

In preparation for his Washington portrayal, Ed has purchased a royal navy blue coat, a white powdered wig, a hat worn by generals of the day and black boots. He will use one of his own sabers, which he inherited from his father, a World War II veteran who brought it home from Germany, Ed said.

“I’m putting in a very sincere effort to portray Washington as authentic as possible,” Ed said.

The Washington reenactor will be doing something that the real George never did: appear in Irwin.

There is no record that Washington traveled through present-day Irwin on his way to Fort Duquesne in 1753, or with Gen. Braddock’s ill-fated campaign in July 1755 that ended in defeat at the Battle of Monongahela, or the successful campaign led by British Gen. John Forbes in 1758 to get the French to abandon Fort Duquesne.

In recognition of Washington, those attending the event will get a wooden tooth, said Mike Pochan of Irwin, one of the organizers. Despite tales to the contrary, Washington did not have wooden dentures.

Pochan said he has invited county officials to the event.

The event is sponsored by the nonprofits Norwin Chamber of Commerce, Come Talk Inc. of Irwin, the Irwin Business and Professional Association, and Fight the Blight.