600 re-enactors to converge on Jamestown Settlement this weekend for ‘Military through the Ages’

Military Through the Ages, a time-honored event showcasing centuries of military history, returns to Jamestown Settlement this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19. 

Hundreds of re-enactors will converge to depict armed forces from 500 B.C.E all the way to modern-day soldiers serving with the Virginia Army National Guard. The program has been held for nearly 40 years and invites visitors to see military encampments while interacting with re-enactors and discovering how uniforms, weapons and tactics have evolved throughout the centuries.

Nearly 600 re-enactors will portray soldiers and military encounters from all throughout the world, including the Greek and Roman times, the medieval period, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the wars of the 20th century and the battles of the present day. 

Patriotic music will be performed throughout the weekend, featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of the Ladies for Liberty, reminiscent of the World War II era. Ladies for Liberty is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Roaming performances will also be presented by The Federal City Brass Band and Field Musick Virginia. 

Artillery-firing demonstrations will also be held at noon Saturday and Sunday, with weapons ranging from a 17th-century swivel gun to a modern-day howitzer. A military pass-in-review will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring recognition of re-enactor units.

Jamestown Settlement is open 9 a.m to 5 p.m daily. Admission is $18 for adults, $9 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg (including William & Mary students) receive free admission with proof of residence. For a full list of scheduled events, visit Jamestown Settlement’s website.

There will also be several St. Patrick’s Day events this week, including a Shamrock Scavenger Hunt at Tabb Library and a St. Patrick’s Day Block Party in Newport News (Friday) and the St. Patrick’s Day Winter Market in Yorktown (Saturday).

Some other highlights for this week include a stargazing program at York River State Park and a free rhythm & blues community concert at the Ferguson Center (Saturday) a free concert featuring jazz quartet Presbybop and local choral ensemble Cantori in Williamsburg (Sunday) and the free CB&W Spring Open House in Grafton (Saturday & Sunday).

-Christin

Events this Week

Friday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day Events

• St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Hunt – Tabb Library (Yorktown). All ages are invited to attend a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunt sheets will be available in the lobby and at the Reference desk. Return your completed sheet for a special prize from the Pot o Gold. All day; see the library’s hours here. 
• St. Patrick’s Day Block Party – City Center at Oyster Point (Newport News). Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by heading out to a block party at the City Center at Oyster Point Market Stage. The event will feature live music by Allen Hudson and the Halfmoons, local brews, and pop-up shops to benefit Sister Cities Newport News. 5:00 – 9:00 pm. 

Nature

• Forest Explorers Friday – Freedom Park (Williamsburg). Take a walk at the park and learn about host plants for butterflies. You’ll also have the opportunity to plant some seeds and learn to grow plants at home. Weather permitting; no registration is required. Free. 5:30 – 7:00 pm. 

Live Music

• Community Concert – Community Concert – Fort Magruder Hotel (Williamsburg). Attend a FREE community concert presented by the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, Friday, March 17 at Fort Magruder Hotel, 6945 Pocahontas Trail. The choir is touring all across the U.S. and is from Liberia. This is their first ever visit to Williamsburg. Hear the Joy; See the Hope; Feel the Love. For more information on the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, visit matsiko.org/world-orphan-choir. 7:00 pm.

Saturday, March 18

Markets

• Ford’s Colony Annual Spring Yard Sale – Williamsburg Indoor Sport Complex (Williamsburg). The Ford’s Colony Annual Spring Yard Sale will feature over 35 families selling a wide variety of treasures. Michael and Dr. Melinda Lincoln-Richardson, authors of the newly published book, Beautiful Blue & You , will also sell and sign their new book at the event. Actual copies of the book are currently available, under Local Authors, at the Barnes & Noble Book Store on Main Street in New Town, Williamsburg, as well. 8:00 am – noon. 
• Spring Fling at the 757 Moose – 5429 Richmond Road (Williamsburg). Shop from local vendors and crafters while helping to raise funds for various nonprofit organizations at this fun event. 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. 
• Williamsburg Farmers Market – Merchants Square (Williamsburg). Find a variety of local products – including seasonal produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, honey, cheese, cut flowers, handmade soaps and more – offered by more than 40 vendors. The market runs from 8:00 – 12:00 pm and there will be live music from 9:00 – 11:00 am.
• Hilton Farmers Market – Historic Hilton Village (Williamsburg). Shop for goods from local farmers and bakers at Historic Hilton Village. 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. 
• Toano Open Air Market – 7891 Richmond Road (Toano). The Toano Open Air Market has returned for the season. Shop for a variety of items from local farmers, artists and artisans. 
• St. Patrick’s Day Winter Market – Riverwalk Landing (Yorktown). Attend Yorktown’s final Winter Market on Saturday, March 18 at Riverwalk Landing. This special St. Patrick’s Day-themed market will feature a variety of locally grown, produced and crafted products, including baked goods, prepared soups, gourmet chocolates, local art and more. This event is great for the whole family and will also feature the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown and a treasure hunt for kids (download the treasure hunt map here). Free. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. 

History

• The World of 1607 Van Tour – Starts at Lee Hall Mansion (Newport News). Join historian J. Michael Moore for a journey back to 17th-century Virginia. You’ll learn about the Chesapeake voyages of English Sea Dogs, Capt. Christopher Newport, and noted adventurer, Captain John Smith. Wear comfortable shoes and expect extensive walking. $50 per person. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. 
• Women’s History Tours – Lee Hall and Lee Hall Mansion (Newport News). Commemorate Women’s History Month by learning about the women associated with both Historic Endview and Lee Hall Mansion. A takeaway craft will be offered at each site. Tours are every hour starting at 10:00 am and ending at 2:00 pm. Click here for additional details.
• Fife & Drum March – Duke of Gloucester Street (Colonial Williamsburg). Listen to stirring Revolutionary War field music by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums as they march from the Capitol to Palace Green. Open to the public. 12:30 – 12:50 pm. 
• The Art of Fifing & Drumming – Play House Stage (Colonial Williamsburg). The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums will give an in-depth demonstration of the musical tasks and ceremonies that fifers and drummers perform throughout a soldier’s day. Open to the public. 1:00 – 1:20 pm.
• Musket Demonstration – Magazine Yard (Colonial Williamsburg). Watch as a member of the Colonial Williamsburg Military Programs staff demonstrates the loading and firing of the musket using 17th-century military procedures. 4:00 – 4:15 pm. 

Nature/Outdoor

• Jump Start Your Spring Vegetable Garden – Freedom Park Interpretive Center (Williamsburg). Learn how to start and establish a great vegetable garden. Topics covered will include ssoil preparation and maintenance, plant selection, and frost dates to keep in mind. The featured speaker will be Bill Dichtel, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. This event is free but seating is limited and registration is required. 10:00 – 11:30 am. 
• Heronious Point Of View – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Experience the sights and sounds of beautiful herons as they build nests and tend to their young along the York River. Be sure to bring viewing gear like cameras or binoculars. Included with park admission. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. 
• Sensory Easter Egg Hunt – “My Place” Playground (Williamsburg). JCC Parks and Recreation will host a free sensory-friendly Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 18 at “My Place,” an inclusive playground adjacent to James City County Recreation Center. For all ages with disabilities. Free. 10:00 am – noon. 
• Stargazing – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers to view different items of our solar system in the night sky. They will provide all equipment. This event is weather-permitting and is included in park admission. 7:00 – 10:00 pm. 

Job Fair

• Summer Job Fair – James City County Government Center (Williamsburg). JCC Parks & Recreation is hosting a Summer Job Fair on Saturday, March 18. Staff will be onsite for same-day interviews. Part-time, seasonal and on-call year-round positions are available within a variety of County parks and assisting with camps or programming at the outdoor pools. Interested applicants can save time by applying online before the job fair. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. 

Music Lessons

• Intermediate and Advanced Ukulele Series – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Students will learn to play melodies and chords in a fun learning environment. This four-part class meets Saturdays, 3/18 – 4/8, and is geared toward intermediate and advanced players 13 and up. Beginners are also welcome. Registration is required. 10:30 am – 11:30 pm. 

Recreation

• Basic Bike Maintenance – James City County Recreation (Williamsburg). JCC Parks and Recreation and their partners from BikeWalkWilliamsburg and Girls in Gear will teach you to inspect and clean your bike, fix a flat and grease a chain using the right tools. Free; registration required. 9:00 – 10:30 am. 

Kids

• Bookmobile Funfest: Optical Illusions/Brain Tricks – Abram Frink Jr. Community Center (Williamsburg). Kids ages 6-12 are invited to learn about optical illusions and create their own. This event will be held at 11:00 am; but more science and craft activities will be available between 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. 

Games

• Jigsaw Puzzling Spring Competition & Puzzle Swap – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Teams of four will compete to finish a 500-piece puzzle within two hours. There will also be a puzzle swap. For ages 13 through adult; registration is required. 1:00 – 4:00 pm. 

Tweens/Teens

• No Bake Dessert – James City County Library (Williamsburg). Tweens and teens age 9-18 are invited to learn about no-bake desserts and make a few to take home. 2:00 pm. 

Crafts

• Makerspace: Glowforge 101 – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Learn the basics of how Glowforge works and design items with the software. For ages 18+. 2:00 – 3:00 pm. 

Nutrition

• Let Food Be Thy Medicine: Focus on Carbohydrates – Stryker Center & Virtual. Dr. Vera, a Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine physician, will discuss the importance of nutrition in terms of our health – with a focus on carbohydrates – during this informational talk. There will also be a Question & Answer session. Join in-person or on Zoom. 12:00 pm.  

Live Music

• St. Patrick’s Day continues at Alewerks – Alewerks Brewing Company (Williamsburg). Enjoy a live performance by Fiddler’s Green from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Rhodes Academy of Irish Dance will also perform at 5:30 pm. 
• Ryan Shaw: Masters of R&B – Ferguson Center for the Arts (Newport News). Enjoy a soulful performance by three-time Grammy-nominated Ryan Shaw accompanied by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. This is a free community concert. 8:00 pm. 
• Harpsichord Recital: Patrick Kyle Collins – Bruton Parish Church (Williamsburg). Enjoy a recital featuring Patrick Kyle Collins, Harpsichordist at Colonial Williamsburg. 8:00 – 9:00 pm. 

Sunday, March 19

Writing

• Open Mic with Chesapeake Bay Writers – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Join this event to read or hear local authors share their stories. Audiences are welcome, even if you’re not reading. 1:00 – 3:00 pm. 

History

• The Songs of Suffragists: Music and Stories of the American Suffrage Movement – Gallery at York Hall (Yorktown). In honor of Women’s History Month, songstress Deborah Soderholm will bring the Women’s Suffrage movement alive through the words and music of the people that lived it. These songs were rarely recorded until after the cause was won and have never been heard until now. Free. 3:00 – 4:00 pm. 

Live Music

• Open Door Concert Series: Presbybop/Cantori – Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (Williamsburg). All are welcome at the next Open Door Concert on March 19 at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg. This unique concert features jazz quartet Presbybop and local choral ensemble Cantori. The major musical piece of this concert memorializes those who have gone before us with a jazz requiem written by Presbybop’s renowned jazz pianist Bill Carter. Free. 4:00 pm.

Multi-Day

Special Events

• Military Through the Ages – Jamestown Settlement (Williamsburg). Enjoy a celebration of centuries of military history during Jamestown Settlement’s time-honored Military Ages event on Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19. The event will feature hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from 500 B.C.E all the way to modern-day soldiers serving in Virginia’s Army National Guard. There will also be patriotic music and other special events. Museum admission is $18 for adults; $9 for kids ages 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg (including William & Mary students) receive free admission with proof of residency. 
• CB&W Spring Open House – Dare Road (Grafton). The local Chesapeake Bay & Western Model Railroaders Club will host a Spring Open House on Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Mar. 19 from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free and events are family-friendly. The Club is located just east of Route 17 on Dare Road, Grafton, Va.  Club signs will mark the directions and location. Call (757) 898-0717 for information or visit the website.
• Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra Events – Multiple Locations. The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra will host a series of special events during the month of March, including a special lunch at Le Yaca featuring GRAMMY-winning guitarist virtuoso Jason Vieaux on Tuesday, March 14 at 11:30 am. This event will be followed by Masterworks Concert #4 on Thursday, March 16, which will feature Jason Vieaux, and will be held at the Williamsburg Community Chapel (pre-concert lecture 6:30 pm; concert, 7:30 pm) and will also be available to livestream. Visit WSO’s website for a full list of upcoming events.
• Reptile and Amphibian Weekend – Virginia Living Museum (Newport News). See a wide variety of native and exotic reptiles in live animal programs. There will also be crafts, activities, and reptile-related planetarium shows throughout the weekend. March 17-19, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. 

Dining

• Hampton Restaurant Week – Hampton. Hampton Restaurant Week returns March 5-19. Support local restaurants and savor a variety of local faire. Specials include $10 and $15 lunches and $25 and $35 dinners. See the website for a full list of participating restaurants.

History

• Women’s History Month @ CW – Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg will offer a variety of special programs in honor of Women’s History Month throughout March. See a list of those events here. 

Tax Help

• Free Tax Prep Help – Multiple Locations. Free tax preparation services are available for those who qualify through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, now through mid-April. To find a free tax preparation service near you, visit this website and enter your zip code. In Williamsburg, AARP Tax Aide is also available at the Williamsburg Library and at Fire Station #1, Feb. 1 – April 15. VITA tax preparation services are available Tuesday and Thursday (1-5:30 pm) and Saturdays (9 am – 1:30 pm) at Colonial Williamsburg’s Kids Club Building 17 Near the Visitors Center. Click here for additional details.