Historic Yorktown Kicks Off Summer with Events

With the onset of warm weather, Historic Yorktown is the place to be for popular events such as Shagging on the Riverwalk, Fourth of July, and Yorktown Market Days.

June is packed with fun for the whole family. The Schooners Alliance and Serenity continue to offer two-hour sails and a sunset sail daily on the beautiful York River. Bring the kids to Captain Mayhem’s School of Piracy aboard the Yorktown schooners and let the kids set the sails, steer the schooner, and learn to tie knots on the Pirate Adventure Cruises at Riverwalk Landing

Yorktown Market Days, the weekly farmers markets, occur every Saturday through October 29 (excluding October 1) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring fresh produce, meat and seafood, cut flowers, gourmet herbs, cheeses, baked goods, quality art, chef demonstrations, and entertainment.

A local favorite has returns on Thursdays, June 2-23 and July 7-21with the annual “Shagging on the Riverwalk” Beach Music Concert Series from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the many Fifes and Drums of York Town performances to be held in various locations including the Victory Monument, Yorktown Battlefield, and the Yorktown Waterfront.

Enjoy your evenings with great food and live music at Water Street Grille on most Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings on the Yorktown waterfront throughout June and July.

Water Street Grille will host “Steal the Pint Night” on Wednesday, June 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring Founder’s Brewing. Call 757-369-5644 for more information.

The Celebrate Yorktown Committee kicks off its Summer Concert Series in the Grace Churchyard beginning Sunday, July 3, with a performance by Stephen Bennett. Other line-ups for the series include Peninsula Concert Band, The Mullins Sisters, Something Different Duo, Lou Vangieri/LCV Project, Runaway String Band, Lana Puckett & Kim Person, The Magic of Harmony Show Chorus, and Poisoned Dwarf.

July 4^th will feature the annual Yorktown 4^th of July Celebration full of entertainment, a 9 a.m. patriotic parade on Water and Main Streets, and evening activities featuring a bell-ringing ceremony at 7 p.m., live musical entertainment at 8 p.m., and spectacular fireworks at 9:15 p.m. The Liberty Celebration held at the Yorktown Victory Center is a must-see July 3-4 and includes military drills, role-playing demonstrations and artillery to salute the anniversary of America’s independence.

The Bastille Day Wine Dinner returns on Thursday, July 14, offering a five-course French dinner paired with acclaimed wines from France. Contact Riverwalk Restaurant at 875-1522 for ticket pricing and information.

Join the crew of the Watermen’s Museum for an evening of music and song with the York River Floating Folk Jam series held on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and the Music Jamboree on Fridays in June from 6 to 9 p.m.

Auntie M’s American Cottage offers a June workshop series on Saturdays at select times and On the Hill Gallery continues to offer Wednesday art classes in June as well as their summer relief children’s art classes on Mondays from June 27 through August 22.

Patriot Tours & Provisions offers guided Segway tours and bicycle, kayak and paddle board rentals in historic Yorktown. Visit the store for a great selection of kites, flags, beach supplies, and sundries.

Operating from the beautiful York River, York River Charters offers guests both fishing and sightseeing on Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay. Or, you can take a private sail with Let’s Go Sail on a 32-foot modern sloop departing daily from Riverwalk and perfect for couples, families or small groups up to 6.

While in Yorktown, don’t miss the opportunity to take a ride on our free air-conditioned Yorktown trolley. The trolley is a great way to tour the entire town at no cost. The trolleys are equipped with modern amenities including air conditioning, televisions and more. The trolleys are also ADA compliant, featuring wheelchair access and a talking bus stop announcement system that accommodates both the hearing and visually impaired. The trolley is a great convenience during peak times and the route begins at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and makes stops at the Victory Monument, Historic Main Street, Riverwalk Landing and the Watermen’s Museum, among others, on its way to the Yorktown Victory Center on the other side of town.

Event parking is available at Riverwalk Landing in the two-level parking terrace. Additional parking is available in Yorktown at York Hall, the County Administration Building and the Courthouse/Finance Building Complex, which are all within two blocks of the waterfront.

For more information on these activities or any other events in YorkCounty, visit www.visityorktown.org.