Sunday November 3, 2024
11:00am-4:00pm
12602 Harrison Landing Rd.
Charles City VA 23030
(804)829-6018
Festival Admission: Buses- $30.00 Cars- $20.00 Bikes- $5.00
Step back in time on the first Sunday in November as the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival commemorates America’s First Thanksgiving with a historic celebration reminiscent of Colonial Virginia. This annual tradition dates back to December 4, 1619, when Captain John Woodlief and his crew of thirty-five men landed on the shores of the James River at what was to become Berkeley Plantation. Upon landing, in accordance with orders from London, the Englishmen proclaimed: “We ordain that the day of our ship’s arrival, at the place assigned for plantation, in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.”
Festival activities for the entire family begin at 11:00 a.m. and include colonial period re-enactors, encampment, parade, and musicians. Jonathon Austin will entertain the kids with his juggling and magic show. The Chickahominy Tribal Dancers perform as well as the Colonial Singers of Williamsburg, The Itinerant Band, and Williamsburg Pipes and Drum. Families participate in games, dancing, and demonstrations, while vendors display handmade arts, crafts, and jewelry. For an additional fee, mansion tours are available throughout the day.
The re-enactment of the landing, moderated by Bill Bevins, begins at 3:00 p.m. Following the re-enactment, the Chickahominy Tribal Dancers invite everyone to join them in the traditional Friendship Dance which concludes the day. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the event.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
