Washington to host free pre-draft party for local prospect
Local residents and football fans are invited to attend a pre-draft party at the Farmers Market Pavilion in downtown Washington on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate local prospect Chase Mitchell.
The free event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. rain or shine, and will feature live music from DJ Smoke, local food trucks, a bounce house for kids and a corn hole throwing station.
Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess said the tailgate-style party will be in celebration of Mitchell, a Washington High graduate who is projected to be selected in the sixth or seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a successful college career at Liberty University and Vanderbilt University at offensive tackle.
“(Mitchell) deserves this,” Burgess said, noting Mitchell’s eagerness to support his community and nurture the next generation of Washington County football talent.
Mitchell held a football camp for local kids at Washington High last summer, providing mentorship and guidance alongside a handful of his college teammates.
“The kids were so incredibly excited to see him,” Burgess said.
Mitchell will attend the first half of the event before departing for a pre-draft event hosted by NFL legend Aaron Donald.
According to Burgess, Mitchell plans to raffle off a game-worn jersey from his time at Vanderbilt, with all the proceeds from the raffle going to support the Washington County Youth Sports Cheerleading Association.