America’s Anniversary Weekend (www.americas400thanniversary.com), the premier event of America’s 400th, takes place May 11-13 in and around Jamestown, and it’s jam-packed with events.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and actor James Earl Jones are among the dignitaries who are scheduled to participate.
Other events are slated throughout the year for Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, Anniversary Park, and other Hampton Roads sites.
Sail Virginia 2007 (800.487.8778; www.festeventsva.org) will take place June 7-12 and feature 22 ships on parade from around the world. Fort Monroe in Hampton will offer outstanding perspectives, as well as reserved group dining and viewing arrangements.
Survivor: Jamestown at the Virginia Living Museum (757.595.1900; www.thevlm.org) in Newport News puts a contemporary spin on what it was like to be a 1607 colonist in the New World. Rock climbing, zip lining and searching for gold are part of the interactive, educational challenge that runs through Nov. 25.
The American Indian Intertribal Cultural Festival at the Hampton Coliseum (757.838.5650; www.hamptoncoliseum.org) will be held July 20-22. Virginia tribes will showcase the various cultures and contributions of Native Americans through dances, storytelling, arts and crafts, and demonstrations.
The Magna Carta and Four Foundations of Freedom exhibition runs through June 18 at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia (757.425.0000; www.cacv.org) in Virginia Beach. The exhibition features the Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta, the founding document of free democracy and the American government and legal system. It’s one of only four surviving original copies of the circa-1215 document.
Godspeed docks in Newport News (757.926.1400; www.newsport-news.org) May 4-5, and Capt. Christopher Newport will make an appearance. Tours of the replica ship, which brought the original colonists to Virginia; a concert with fireworks; and historic reenactments will be part of the event.
Battle of Great Bridge (757.382.6411; www.cityofchesapeake.net), scheduled for Dec. 1-2 in Chesapeake, will commemorate the Revolutionary War victory at Great Bridge during a living history event complete with costumed reenactors and demonstrations.
