Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON STATE : It’s a Holiday by George!

Where can a town of about 300 throw a birthday bash attracting up to 1,500 people? On President’s Day, it’s none other than George, Washington. This dusty town in the central part of the state has thrown a party on the holiday--originally Washington’s Birthday--since it was founded 37 years ago. What better place to do it? “This is the only town in the United States that can wear the full name of a president, at least as of yet,” said Merna Lutz, one of the Georgettes, a women’s community group that organizes the party. Lutz watched on July 4, 1957, when George founder Charlie Brown dedicated the town’s first plot. Then-Gov. Albert Rosellini came to George to plant the first cherry tree, establishing a tradition for each new landowner.