Cheese and ice cream - two of George Washington's favorite foods - were featured items on the menu at Mount Vernon, the president's historic Virginia home, during an elegant fundraiser hosted last week by IDFA and the Distilled Spirits Council. Blue Bell Creameries and several members of the National Cheese Institute donated products for the event, helping to celebrate and preserve the history of Mount Vernon, which is located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
Several Washington dignitaries and other celebrities attended the "Spirit of Mount Vernon." The evening began with ample offerings of fine cheeses and tours of the mansion, followed by fireworks over the Potomac at sunset. An elegant dinner came next, featuring a dessert course of ice cream flavored with peach brandy. The evening ended with a live auction.
The over $200,000 raised at the event will go to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association whose primary mission is preserving Mount Vernon. Since taking possession of the property in 1860, the association has worked to preserve and restore the historic structures and landscape to their eighteenth-century appearance.
IDFA thanks the following members for their donations:
- Agropur Cooperative
- Arthur Schuman, Inc.
- Blue Bell Creameries
- Glanbia Foods Inc.
- Marathon Cheese Corporation
- Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
- Pacific Cheese Co., Inc.
- Saputo Cheese USA, Inc.
- Sargento Foods Inc.
- Sartori Foods
- Tillamook County Creamery Association
- Valio USA Finlandia Cheese Division
More information is available in the "Spirit of Mount Vernon" program.
These photos share some of the excitement and elegance of the evening.
Guests watched fireworks over the Potomac River.
IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton enjoyed
the Heritage Dinner and Blue Bell ice cream.
Many celebrities and dignitaries attended the
festivities, including one surprise speaker.