Things To Do This Saturday in Williamsburg: Dogs of DoG Street – Colonial Williamsburg's Duke of Gloucester Street is going to the dogs! Literally! Pups and their humans will enjoy a costume contest, a puppy parade, gourmet dog treats and more. The fun begins at 10:00 a.m., but get there early if your fur baby is planning to participate in the costume contest. Registration starts at 9:15 a.m. Only the 1st 50 pups will qualify. This event is free, but donations for the Humane Society are appreciated and encouraged. 2016 MPJAI Jeep Festival – The Middle Peninsula Jeep Association is hosting the MPJAI Jeep Festival. Rain or Shine, 11-4pm at the Marquis Shopping Center (where Best Buy is located). There will be a Jeep show and rodeo, food vendors, specialty vehicles, 4-wheeling demos, live music, door prizes, modified Jeeps, and a kids' corner. There is a $15 registration fee to participate in the Jeep Rodeo, but the event is free for spectators.
0 Comments
The College of William & Mary, the 2nd oldest college in America, is located on 1200 lovely acres in the heart of historic Williamsburg. The campus is as rich in beauty as it is in history with its brick sidewalks, presidential busts and statues, and lush Virginia landscaping. Despite its name, W&M is actually a university, and part of what makes it so special is its close association with our nation's founding fathers. The school's most notable alumni are presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler and James Monroe. It's also worth nothing that George Washington received his surveyors license here. The campus provides tours for potential future alumni, but if you're just interested in exploring the historical elements of the school, consider the self-guided audio tour. It is neatly broken up into 3 segments: the historic campus, the old campus, and the new campus. Within those 3 segments are 13 total stops along the way. You can pick and choose which areas you'd like to visit. You'll most likely want to skip stop one on the list (the admission's building) and begin at number 2 β the Wren Building located at 111 Jamestown Rd. This is technically at the end of Duke of Gloucester Street, so plan to park in one of the lots around Merchant's Square. The Wren building is the oldest college building still in use in the United States today, and it truly is a sight to behold. Take your time exploring the grounds, then make your way inside. Locate the information desk, where you'll find a brochure with historical information about the building's history, as well as a helpful map. Once through the back doors, you'll immediately see a large grassy rectangle known as the Sunken Garden. On this very site in 1775, Patrick Henry established camp grounds for VA troops. It is today used for naps, tanning, lounging with a good book, studying, movie nights and weddings. On the other side of the Sunken Garden is the Crim Dell Bridge. You'll have to follow a wooded pathway to find it. If you have any trouble locating the path, just ask one of the many students passing by on their way to classes to point you in the right direction. The bridge is incredibly scenic and an ideal spot for taking photos, especially for couples. There are a number of superstitions, rumors, and traditions involving the bridge. It is said that a couple who crosses the bridge and kisses at the crest will be together forever. It's no wonder many proposals take place here! βOn your way out, and as you're heading back toward the Wren building, be sure to stop and pose with the famous Thomas Jefferson statue, lovingly named "Peeping Tom." I leave it to you to find out why. If you're interested in taking the self-guided audio tour, you can find the link here. Enjoy! Operation of the Jamestown-Scotland ferry began over 90 years ago, in 1925, and continues today, transporting just under a million passengers annually. The ferry runs 24/7, making it the only one of its kind in the Commonwealth. The service is free, so families traveling on a budget should definitely add this activity to their to-do list. The ferry ride is a memorable experience for all ages, especially on a beautiful day.
For Williamsburg visitors or residents, the trip begins at Jamestown Beach. If you've toured Jamestown Settlement, the ride will offer a new vantage point. You'll see the 3 replica ships docked just off-shore, catch a glimpse of one of the country's oldest churches, as well as other interesting historical landmarks. For more information on what to look for, click here. The ride is approximately 15 minutes long. Bird enthusiasts should could armed with binoculars; gulls, osprey, egrets, cormorants, and heron reside along the James River. Many will be viewable during your cruise. You might even get lucky and spot an eagle. Once docked on the other side, take a drive through the quaint but beautiful town of Surry, or head on over to Chippoke Plantation & State Park to spend the day exploring. When you're ready to leave, head back to the dock for the return trip back to Williamsburg. The ferry runs every 20 – 30 minutes, depending on the time of day. It departs on the hour on certain major holidays. You can find a full schedule here. Cost: FREE 2110 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185 There are few things more memorable than the Fife and Drum parade at Colonial Williamsburg. The experience is open to the public (no ticket required) and begins at the Capitol on the eastside of Duke of Gloucester Street.
March alongside or follow behind as the talented fifers and drummers make their way up DoG Street over to the Palace Green, where a real cannon is fired. With more than 700 marches annually, you can (and should!!!) find one that fits into your trip itinerary. You can find their schedule here. Understanding the origin behind the Fife and Drum Corps makes an unforgettable experience even richer. The 18th century field musicians were boys aged 10-18 years old. The music was used as an important communication tool during a time before phone calls or texting, and it kept the troops' spirits high as they marched into and out of battle. The tradition continues today as boys and girls are able to join the ranks at age 10 and graduate from the program after their 18th birthday. These dedicated young people, dressed in their tricorn hats and buckled shoes, are on the front lines of recreating fascinating colonial-era military and music history. You don't want to miss it. |
The Williamsburg Tourist30-something, homeschooling mom and writer chronicles her family's adventures in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. Archives
June 2017
Categories
All
|