May 16-18, 2008

Drummer’s Call – Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums mark their 50th anniversary with a year of special events, beginning with Drummer’s Call May 16-18. The three-day event will see fife and drum units from across North America, and Williamsburg alumni will reunite to march and play.

See a live webcast of the Drummer’s Call Grand Review, an exhibition of participating corps from around the country. To watch, visit www.history.org May 17 from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST.

Learn more about the Fifes and Drums

Learn more about the Fifes and Drums’ 50th anniversary

See the event schedule in the Events Calendar

May 26, 2008

Memorial Day – Attend a 45-minute Memorial Day service in front of the Governor's Palace, where a memorial wreath will be placed at the plaque marking the graves of the Revolutionary War dead. Next, process to Bruton Parish Church, where a wreath will be offered to a church representative who will lead prayers in memory of veterans. The remembrance concludes with a march to the French gravesites near Providence Hall, to recognize the aid of the French allies in the final victory of the American Revolution. A third wreath will be laid, and three final cannon salutes will be fired by the militia artillery crew.

The Memorial Day service is free and open to the public. During Memorial Day Weekend, Friday through Monday, May 23-26, Colonial Williamsburg offers weekend-long admission passes to active duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans and their families.

Learn More in the Events Calendar

June 24, 2008

Masonic Procession – The Feast of St. John the Baptist is a day of solemn observance for the Mason’s historic Williamsburg Lodge No. 6. Colonial Williamsburg interpreters and current lodge members annually collaborate to reenact this procession and sermon.

Learn More in the Events Calendar

June 27 – 29, 2008

Under the Redcoat – Witness the arrival of the British Army as they seize Williamsburg, raise the British flag over the Capitol, and commence occupation of the town. Meet with the enslaved community and decide what to do in light of the British arrival. Will you take up the British offer of freedom? Meet with the women of Williamsburg and see the war from their perspective. How has this war affected the women of the city? Through these and other programs, learn how life in 18th-century Williamsburg changed under Redcoat control.

Learn More in the Events Calendar

July 4, 2008

Independence Day – The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Virginian Thomas Jefferson, was adopted July 4th, 1776. Celebrate the nation's birthday with Fifes and Drums, militia parades, and Colonial Williamsburg's famous Historic Area fireworks.

Learn More in the Events Calendar

July 4-6, 2008

Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums Turn 50 - Colonial Williamsburg's Junior and Senior Fifes and Drums are joined by the alumni of the corps in performances celebrating the unit's 50th anniversary. Visit the Fifes and Drums page.

Learn More in the Events Calendar

September 19– 21, 2008

Spinning Stories/Spanning Time – "Now, let me tell you a story…" Throughout human history, listeners have been ready to listen to a skilled storyteller. Come to Colonial Williamsburg's Fourth Annual Storytelling Festival and be transported to distant times and exotic places by some of our nation's best storytellers.

Visit the Storytelling Festival page for program and ticket information.

Learn More in the Events Calendar