Celebrate Summer and America’s 250th at National Harbor
Military concerts and other live music, movies, markets, festivals and more, National Harbor is the place to be for summertime fun!

By PRESS OFFICER
National Harbor

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (June 2, 2026)—National Harbor has long been known as Washington’s premier waterfront destination. With its many boutique retail shops, renowned restaurants, water activities, premium hotels, unique entertainment, and a Tanger Outlet, including a robust summertime event lineup, it provides the perfect location for summer fun. This year, as the nation celebrates 250 years, National Harbor offers even more opportunities to experience great entertainment, exceptional food and amazing activities.

“As part of our celebration of America’s 250th birthday, we’re excited to offer an extensive list of summer programming and activities,” said Deborah Topcik, Senior Director of Marketing at National Harbor. “From military bands to classic American films, our waterfront will serve as a vibrant gathering place to honor this historic national milestone.”

Recurring Weekly Summer Programming

The summer-long celebration runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day with weekly activities including the free Salute the Sunset Concert Series every Saturday at 7 p.m. The series showcases premier U.S. military bands on the waterfront. Attendees are encouraged to grab takeout from one of National Harbor’s nearby restaurants, bring a blanket and enjoy a free evening of music on the waterfront.
 
On Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. National Harbor features free Movies on the Potomac. During National Harbor’s America 250 celebration, movies will have an Americana focus. Thursday movies are “date night” movies with family movies on Sundays.

Fridays on the Plaza features “Summer Sounds” honoring America’s 250 with a mixture of free live musical performances featuring a variety of styles from across the U.S. and line dancing classes. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. In addition to great music, enjoy lawn games and beautiful sunsets over the Potomac River.

From June to August, children can enjoy free fun activities at National Harbor’s Kids Day every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on the Plaza (150 National Plaza, National Harbor.) Children can participate in free weekly educational activities. Programming includes interactive storytime with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and educational experiences rooted in PBS KIDS content with WHUT (Howard University Television). Additional activities feature meet-and-greets with the Prince George’s County Police and Fire/EMS Departments, history activities with George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and public artwork exploration of the Wildlife Wonder Boat with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council.

Special Summer Events and Festivals

On Friday, June 12, National Harbor along with Michelob Ultra and FOX 5 DC will host a summer soccer watch party with giveaways, prizes, and Michelob Ultra beer garden. Fans can watch the live soccer double-header on the jumbo screen starting with Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by the USA vs. Paraguay match at 9 p.m. For a full list of soccer celebrations including activities at MGM National Harbor, visit https://www.nationalharbor.com/blog/soccer/.

The Stars & Smiles Foodie Festival takes place on June 13 and 14 at 137 National Plaza with a family-friendly culinary experience featuring an exciting lineup of top local and regional food vendors, sweet treats, refreshing beverages and flavors from around the DMV and beyond. There will also be music. Tickets are $14.64 to $44.52 (VIP). No charge for kids, when accompanied by an adult.

On July 4 and August 1, visitors to National Harbor can experience the 250th Veterans’ Maker’s Market showcasing veteran makers and artisans with handmade art, crafts, jewelry, home décor, gifts and specialty items. The market takes place on the dates noted above from noon until 8 p.m., rain or shine.

The Salute to America Walk and Picnic celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with a patriotic procession from Spirit Park to the midpoint of the Woodrow
 
Wilson Bridge on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants can enjoy a unique salute to the capital followed by a free community picnic, ticket for The Capital Wheel, live music and waterfront views. Registration is required. Participants who wear their best red, white, and blue, or even a presidential costume will be entered for a chance to win prizes!

Gaylord National Resort joins forces with DC this summer for a superhero adventure all summer long through Sept. 6. Super Hero Summer features interactive experiences, thrilling challenges and dazzling spectacles featuring iconic characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman—straight from the pages of DC comics. Gaylord’s overnight stays provide exclusive resort experiences that let guests immerse themselves in Super Hero Summer featuring DC.

Additional activities at National Harbor include summer boating fun and the property’s popular Freedom Ring Boat rentals that are fun for groups of up to 10 people. Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic. Adventures Unbound provides kayak, canoes and pedal boat rentals for those who want to explore the Potomac on their own.

For more information on National Harbor, visit www.NationalHarbor.com

National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination unlike any other. The vibrant Waterfront District features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment options along picturesque promenades.

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Dr. Shawn Joseph Named Permanent Superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools

By PRESS OFFICER
PGCPS

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (June 1, 2026)—Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy has appointed Dr. Shawn Joseph as the permanent superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). Joseph, who has served as Interim Superintendent since July 2025, will now formally lead the state’s second-largest school system following a year marked by budget stabilization, staffing improvements and expanded student opportunities.

“This is the right leadership team at the right time to usher in a new era of excellence, and I am pleased to continue partnering with Dr. Joseph and the Board of Education to chart a positive path forward,” Braveboy said. “Over the past year, Dr. Joseph has demonstrated strong leadership, steady financial stewardship and a deep commitment to our students, staff and families. This is a pivotal moment for PGCPS, and with Dr. Joseph’s leadership and the Board’s continued partnership, we have an opportunity to strengthen student achievement, improve employee relations and enhance the educational experience across the district.”

Joseph entered the role ahead of the 2025–26 school year and launched a 100-day plan focused on academics, operations and accountability. In his first months leading the district, he launched an extensive community engagement effort that included 20 listening sessions and budget town halls, offering families, students, staff and community members a direct voice in shaping district priorities and future planning.

Working with stakeholders, Joseph introduced five district priorities centered on literacy and math achievement, student attendance, organizational development, college and career readiness, and support for special education and multilingual learners.

During his first year leading the district, PGCPS faced a $150 million structural deficit—the largest single-year budget adjustment in district history. District leaders balanced the budget without teacher layoffs while maintaining classroom instruction and daily operations.

Joseph also delivered the district’s first State of the Schools address in more than a decade, bringing together families, staff, students, educators, business leaders, elected officials and community partners to align around the district’s vision, priorities and direction for the future.

Under his leadership during the 2025–26 school year, PGCPS reported progress in several key areas:

• Teacher vacancies fell by 52%, including a significant reduction in special education vacancies from 242 positions to 80.

• PGCPS finalized three union contracts through a collaborative bargaining process, securing agreements that support educators, staff and school operations across the district.

• A districtwide immunization compliance campaign reduced noncompliance cases from about 4,000 to 44, restoring nearly $20 million in state funding.

• PGCPS launched new public dashboards allowing families and community members to track student growth, graduation trends, attendance and staffing data by school.

• The district expanded tuition-free Dual Enrollment opportunities in partnership with Prince George’s Community College and County government, to be offered across all high schools.

• A partnership with Bowie State University streamlined admissions and resulted in more than 600 scholarships totaling $1.6 million for students.

• PGCPS earned national recognition for school modernization through Blueprint Schools Phase II and reached a record 164 certified Maryland Green Schools, leading the state and nation.

• Transportation staffing improvements helped the district reach a 96% bus driver fill rate, alongside the launch of a new real-time bus tracking app for families.

• The Innovation & Performance Area was established to offer targeted support and additional resources to 24 schools identified for accelerated improvement.

• The district expanded communication and public engagement efforts through a budget education series, a new legislative tracking tool, weekly superintendent communications and regular media appearances designed to improve transparency and keep staff, families and the community informed.

“Every child in every zip code deserves a transformative education—and here in Prince George’s County, the work of accelerating student progress and strengthening outcomes is already well underway,” said Dr. Joseph. “The candidacy I offered is a continuation of our momentum. I am honored to step into this role permanently, and I look forward to working alongside our families, staff, and community partners to scale excellence across every single school in our district.”

Looking ahead, Joseph will oversee the district’s new three-year strategic plan, “Forward by Design: Acceleration 2029,” focused on student achievement, workforce development, expanded access to programs, family partnerships and organizational culture.

Joseph brings more than 30 years of experience in public education as a teacher, principal, district leader and superintendent. He previously served as superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee and the Seaford School District in Delaware.

He is also an assistant professor at Howard University, co-director of the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy and author of “The Principal’s Guide to the First 100 Days.” He holds a doctoral degree in educational administration and policy studies from George Washington University, a master’s degree in reading education from Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree in English education from Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU.

Following County Executive Braveboy’s selection, The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on Dr. Joseph’s contract in June, with final confirmation by the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools to follow.

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