Visitors to National Harbor can receive complimentary food and drink samples from participating businesses Sunday, Aug. 9, after making a donation of at least $5 to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Taste of America at the Harbor will run from 2 to 5 p.m. as part of National Harbor’s America 250 programming. Guests must make the donation online and show proof of the contribution at each participating location. National Harbor’s event page says one donation is required per person.
More than 10 restaurants and specialty retailers are scheduled to participate. Signs in storefront windows will identify the businesses taking part in the event.
Flight Deck at The Capital Wheel, 141 American Way, will offer samples of Chesapeake Haze or Flight Deck IPA. Fogo de Chão, 141 National Plaza, will serve Brazilian grilled cheese. IT’SUGAR, 150 National Plaza, will allow guests to choose an item from a sample cart with help from an associate.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, 156 National Plaza, will offer clam chowder. Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, 180 American Way, will provide pan-fried pork buns. PrimoHoagies, 150 American Way, will offer a PrimoAmerican sample.
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen, 140 American Way, plans to serve pralines, gophers and fudge. Silver Diner, 108 Waterfront St., will provide a junior vanilla shake. SUCCOTASH, 186 Waterfront St., will offer cornbread and a pimento bite. The Yard Milkshake Bar, 185 Waterfront St., will provide a scoop of edible cookie dough.
The fundraiser will support the 2026 Prince George’s County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, at National Harbor.
“We are honored to once again partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to help support its mission to end this devastating disease and support those effected,” Deborah Topcik, National Harbor’s senior director of marketing, said in the announcement. “With such a diverse collection of restaurants and specialty food retailers, Taste of America at the Harbor gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy flavors from around the country while supporting an important cause. I know firsthand what this disease can do and I am excited that we can help the cause.”
Organizers are encouraging community members to form teams for the September walk. Participants may choose a one-mile route or a 2.7-mile route. Registration is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The walk is set to begin at 10 a.m. Participants may register online before the event or on site that morning.
Proceeds from the walk support Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs. The association is a nonprofit organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The cause has particular significance in Prince George’s County. Alzheimer’s Association estimates based on 2020 data placed the county’s prevalence of clinical Alzheimer’s dementia among residents 65 and older at 16.1%, the fourth-highest rate among U.S. counties with at least 10,000 residents in that age group. The estimate represented about 20,800 county residents.
The association’s 2026 Facts and Figures report estimates that 127,200 Maryland residents age 65 and older were living with clinical Alzheimer’s dementia based on 2020 state-level data. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Maryland chapter also reports that 258,000 caregivers provide 292 million hours of unpaid care valued at $7 billion.
“Prince George’s County has one of the highest rates of Alzheimer’s disease in Maryland, making this an especially meaningful cause for our community,” Topcik said. “We hope people will enjoy a fun afternoon at National Harbor on August 9th while helping us make a difference for families affected by Alzheimer’s.”
The Alzheimer’s Association says it holds more than 600 Walk to End Alzheimer’s events nationwide each year. Its National Capital Area Chapter provides education, support services and care resources to families and caregivers in Washington, Northern Virginia and suburban and Southern Maryland.
Additional information about Taste of America at the Harbor, including the donation link and participating locations, is available on National Harbor’s website.
