The Washington D.C. Region's "Capital of Christmas" Presents Second-Annual Christmas on the Potomac Celebration

This Year's Collection of Entertainment and Activities to Feature the Debut of ICE!™

National Harbor, Md.—( October 14, 2009 ) Where can you see a 60-foot glass Christmas tree ... experience an indoor snowfall... walk through a wonderland created entirely of ice... or gaze at two million dazzling lights? It's all part of the second-annual Christmas on the Potomac™ celebration at Gaylord National Resort. This year's event runs from Nov. 19 to Jan. 3, showcasing the holidays in mid-Atlantic style.

Get ready to celebrate Christmas like never before. The fun begins Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. during the Christmas on the Potomac Kick-Off and Tree Lighting. Everyone is invited to experience this dramatic show inside the Gaylord National atrium. It will feature spectacular fireworks, musical performances, an indoor snowfall, laser light show and many other surprises.

Throughout the celebration, visitors and guests will discover why Gaylord National is the Washington, D.C. region's new "Capital of Christmas." This year's line-up of family entertainment and experiences will attract revelers by the hundreds of thousands. Here's what's in store:

New... Gaylord National's ICE!™

Enter a fantastic winter wonderland unlike anything you've ever seen. Gaylord National proudly presents ICE!, its signature holiday attraction. The year's coldest event will warm visitors' hearts as they explore an indoor wonderland created entirely of ice — TWO MILLION POUNDS to be exact — hand-sculpted by forty international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees. The 15,000-square-foot attraction will feature 10 different holiday scenes, including thrilling, two-story-tall ice slides. Adult tickets start at $19.99; Kids tickets are $13. Open daily Nov. 19 to Jan.10. For more info, or to purchase discounted tickets in advance, visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com.

New... Ice Skating Rink

For beginners, figure skaters and everyone in between, have a little fun on the ice before or after exploring the wondrous ICE! attraction. Outdoor rink open daily (weather permitting); operating hours vary. Tickets $8 per person. Skate rentals available onsite, or visitors may bring their own.

New... Peeps® Pursuit

Peeps® are hiding in the most unexpected of places! In honor of the first-ever Peeps & Company™ Store opening at National Harbor, three-foot-tall plush versions of these famous marshmallow candies are hidden throughout Gaylord National's atrium. This scavenger hunt lets participants look high and low – and everywhere in between – to find them. All participants will win a free candy sample at the Peeps & Company™ Store, or they can register to win an amazing grand prize.

Spectacular Holiday Decorations

Tree of Light — The centerpiece of our celebration! This "must-see" is 60-feet tall, weighs 7,000 pounds and is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Made of synthetic "candy" glass, it is comprised of 110 individual hand-formed pieces of green holly and red berries. At night, it glows brilliantly and casts a festive mood throughout our atrium. A Tree Lighting show occurs nightly at 6 p.m.

New... Northern Lights — Look up and be amazed! These 50-150-foot-long lights hang from the ceiling of our 20-story atrium. At night, they morph into an array of colors, just like the dazzling night sky at the North Pole.

Potomac Express Train Village — Peek into a scene of Christmas past and marvel at the miniature details of a mid-Atlantic town.

Nightly Entertainment

New... Nightly Tree Lighting — Every evening at 6 p.m., our Atrium comes to life with a Tree Lighting featuring music, synchronized lights, and a dancing fountain that shoots 60-feet high!

Indoor Snowfall — It's always 72 degrees in our atrium, but you won't believe your eyes as it snows inside! Snow falls twice nightly at 6:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.

Voices of Gaylord National Christmas Show — This joyous presentation of classic Christmas music is performed by a 75-voice choir. (40-minute show at 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20.)

Sounds of the Season — Enjoy performances by local musicians and vocalists. (From Nov. 20-Dec. 20: Performances Monday through Thursday at 7 p.m. From Dec. 21-Jan. 3: Daily performances at 7 p.m.)

Brightest Star Fountain Show — A heartwarming narration of the classic Christmas story, choreographed with dancing water and special effects. (Nightly at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Atrium Lower Level)

Holiday Dining & Other Fun

New... Thanksgiving with Martha Washington — Spend Thanksgiving with Martha Washington. She invites you to Pienza restaurant for a bountiful buffet feast of traditional Thanksgiving dishes, regional favorites and live music. You can even try one of her favorite recipes: Martha's Rum Punch, which comes from her original, hand-written recipe. (Thursday, Nov. 26; 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.*, $44 adults/$19 kids ages 3-12; Early reservations are strongly recommended as event will sell out in advance. *Martha Washington event ends at 7 p.m., but the traditional holiday buffet will be served until 10 p.m.)

Brunch with a Claus — Back by popular demand, join Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus on weekends for a bountiful Brunch Buffet at Pienza restaurant. (Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $34 adults/$17 kids ages 3-12; Reservations are strongly recommended.

New... Lunch with a Claus — Join Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus as they host a very special weekday lunch at Pienza restaurant. (Select weekdays only: Nov. 27, Dec. 21, 22, 23, 24. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $26 adults/$13 kids ages 3-12)

Dive-In Movies — Christmas Classics — (Resort Guests Only) Watch classic Christmas flicks at our indoor pool. (Nightly at 6:30 p.m., Valid room key required for entry.)

Seasonal Spa-ahhh Treatments — The holidays are stressful, and everyone needs a little pampering this time of year. Relâche Spa & Salon melts the tensions away with new seasonal treatments. Spa gift certificates also make great stocking stuffers. Call Relâche at 301-965-4400 for more information.

A Tribute to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa — Gaylord National proudly recognizes the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and the African celebration of Kwanzaa. Special recognition of these holidays will be featured in the resort. Pienza restaurant will present a "Kwanzaa Brunch" on Saturday, Dec. 26.

Parking and Public Transportation

• Onsite Parking — Day-Visitor parking is available at the Gaylord National Parking Garage for a special rate of $10 (up to 3 hours).
• National Harbor-Washington D.C. Shuttle — two shuttle pick-up/drop-off locations at Union Station and Old Post Office, departing every hour (www.onboarddctours.com)
• Alexandria-National Harbor Water Taxi — departures from Old Town Alexandria every hour (www.potomacriverboatco.com)
• NH-1 Metrobus — departures from the Branch Avenue Metro Station (Green Line) every 30 minutes (www.wmata.com)

Activities and entertainment are open to both resort guests and day visitors, except when designated for "Resort Guests Only". Most are complimentary, except when pricing is indicated. For more information, or to make dining or hotel reservations, call 877-352-3629. To learn more about Christmas on the Potomac, including details regarding specific activities, entertainment, show times and prices, please visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com. All information may be subject to change.

[EDITOR'S NOTE]
ICE! is exclusively licensed, produced and operated by the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It is accurate to refer to the attraction as "Gaylord National's ICE!" or "Gaylord National's ICE! at National Harbor." (It is not accurate to refer to the attraction as "National Harbor's ICE!".)

About Gaylord National Resort
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center opened April 2008 along the banks of the Potomac River, less than eight miles south of the nation's capital, in National Harbor, Md., a new 300-acre waterfront destination. Gaylord National Resort is the largest-combined hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard, offering 2,000 guest rooms, including 110 lavish suites; 470,000 square feet of convention, meeting, exhibit and pre-function space; acclaimed restaurants; Relâche™ Spa; Pose Ultra Lounge; and a soaring 18-story, glass-covered atrium. For more information, visit www.gaylordnational.com.

Guest Contact
Gaylord National Reservations: 877-432-8674

Media Contacts
Amie Gorrell, Director of Public Relations, 301-965-2111, agorrell@gaylordhotels.com
Carlyle Fairfax Smith, Carlyle International, 703-898-1333, carlyle@carlyleinternational.us

August 2009