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Jamestown celebrates its 400th birthday
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A shallop, center, is rowed to shore off of First Landing State Park Thursday during a re-enactment of the settlers’ first landing at Virginia Beach, which is part of Jamestown’s 400th anniversary celebration. In the background are two ships from the Jamestown replica fleet, the Godspeed, left, and the Discovery, right.
In 1607, 108 British pilgrims settled a tiny spit of land near the mouth of the James River after a five-month voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Their settlement became Jamestown and, in a sense, the birthplace of the United States.
The pioneers named their colony after King James I, who ruled England from 1603 to 1625.
The three-day party, which is the main event of an 18-month-long celebration, begins Friday morning and lasts until Sunday evening. There will be historical displays, re-enactments and musical performances throughout the weekend.
Gov. Tim Kaine and other dignitaries will formally kick off the festivities during two opening ceremonies Friday, and President Bush will deliver a speech Sunday. Queen Elizabeth II last week honored the anniversary when she visited Jamestown.
“With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that, in that event, the origins of a singular endeavor, the building of a great nation, founded on the eternal values of democracy and equality, based on the rule of law and the promotion of freedom,” the queen said in a speech to the Virginia General Assembly.
Many of the weekend activities will focus on the experiences of American Indians and African slaves in the 17th century, people who were overlooked in past celebrations. The Williamsburg-based Suwabi African Ballet will perform traditional African dances depicting the Africans’ experience in the colonial era and the Virginia Beach-based Red Crooked Sky Troupe will perform traditional Indian dances.
“A new Jamestown story is being unveiled during Anniversary Weekend that brings the lives of the English, Indian and African presence to life in a way that has never been done before,” anniversary celebration spokesman Kevin Crossett said. “Jamestown’s legacies of cultural diversity, representative government and free enterprise touch the lives of everyone in America. Now Americans have a chance to discover the roots of this great nation.”
Partygoers can purchase tickets for the festivities at www.americas400thanniversary.com, by calling 866-400-1607 or at the celebration site this weekend. Tickets cost $30 a day for adults, $15 for children ages 6 to 12 and children under age 6 are free. No more than 30,000 tickets will be sold for each day.
The National Weather Service forecast temperatures between 69 and 81 for this weekend with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms each day.
jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:42 AM MST on Thu., May. 17, 2007 re: "Jamestown Celebrates 400th Anniversary"
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Examiner Reader said:
where were the Native Americans? How can you have a true representation without the tribes being present? not actors .. the real thing.. what a bunch of materialism.. all for show and money.. This should have been for reconciliation with the tribes.. This could have resulted in healing for our country.. The Queen of England has already met the Chief of the Chickhominy tribe , and other Chiefs as well.in England!. and has already moved to reconcile with them and yet our own country doesn't even federally recongize the same chief.. ?something is very wrong..At the Vitals pow wow, people from England were there and saying Chief Atkins is our Chief now.... Did you know that you can see pictures in the Native American museum in D.C. of chiefs and and yet our federal goverment doesn't recongize them ? America wake up! the wrongs that were done 400 years ago to the Native Americans must be healed , If we don't heal them.. England will ! and has already started! Debbie Wade
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