YORK––Oct. 18 and 19 are jam-packed with exciting and historic events in Historic Yorktown. The weekend features the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s Grand Tour of 1824, a specially-themed Victory Market, and a day of celebration to commemorate the British surrender at Yorktown. All events are free, unless otherwise indicated.
YORK––Oct. 18 and 19 are jam-packed with exciting and historic events in Historic Yorktown. The weekend features the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s Grand Tour of 1824, a specially-themed Victory Market, and a day of celebration to commemorate the British surrender at Yorktown. All events are free, unless otherwise indicated.
The events include:
• Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19 — USS Yorktown (CG-48) Reunion, former officers and crew members aboard the USS Yorktown (CG-48) will attend a reunion in Historic Yorktown to honor the legacy of the ship’s sponsor, Mary Mathews, and to reminisce about their time sailing on the legendary vessel. The group will meet at noon on Friday at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to honor Nick and Mary Mathews. Saturday at 10:30 a.m., they will be featured in the Yorktown Day Parade on Historic Main Street.
• Friday, Oct. 18, 3-5 p.m., Riverwalk Landing, Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour – 200th Anniversary. The event marks the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to America in 1824. At 3 p.m., interpreter Mark Schneider will appear as Major General Lafayette and disembark the tall ship Luna. The Fifes and Drums of Yorktown will lead him to the Riverwalk Landing Stage for a special ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of his return. Prior to the event, the 229th Infantry Band will perform at Riverwalk Landing, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will host an artillery salute. The tour is presented by the American Friends of Lafayette, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, and America 250.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Yorktown Day, Victory Monument and Historic Main Street — The day begins with a wreath-laying ceremony followed by a patriotic parade down Main Street to commemorate the victory at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, coordinated by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. The festivities will end with a performance by the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra and a lecture in York Hall by Dr. Tom Chávez regarding Francisco de Saavedra and his efforts to support the American war effort. The Colonial National Historical Park will also be hosting a Yorktown Day Youth Art Contest, a walk down Surrender Road with a ranger, and cannon firing demonstrations.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown Market Days – Yorktown Victory Market — To celebrate Yorktown Day and the Bicentennial of the Lafayette Tour, Yorktown Market Days will feature an inaugural Victory Market at Riverwalk Landing. The event will include children’s games and a patriotic concert from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants can take part in a Lafayette Storytelling Trail.
• Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Victory Celebration, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Event includes films, exhibition galleries, and outdoor re-creations of a Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm. The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offers free admission to active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and up to three direct family members with identification.
For information, visit www.visityorktown.org/va250, or call Visit Yorktown at 757-890-5900.
