Harvest Festival, Yorktown Art Stroll, a Revolutionary War Reenactment and more events this week

James City County will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.

The popular fall-themed event includes a variety of free activities for kids, including painting, arts and crafts, trackless train rides, games and inflatables. There will also be tractor-pulled hayrides, alpacas, family photo opportunities and music by the local bluegrass band Code Blue. Scarecrow stuffing will also be back by popular demand, while supplies last.

There is no admission fee to attend the Harvest Festival, but parking is $5 per car (cash or check only). Scarecrow stuffing costs $20 per scarecrow and includes all supplies.

Yorktown will also present its 12th annual Art Stroll on Sunday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing. The event will feature 50 regional artists who will display their work along Water Street and behind the Yorktown Freight Shed. There will be a wide range of art for sale, including oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings; glass; drawings; photography; jewelry; pottery; handmade soap; woodwork and mixed media. 

The public is invited to visit the artists and learn more about their inspiration. There will be a community painting project on a blank canvas for attendees to complete. Live music will be provided by Audio Portrait on the Riverwalk Landing stage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Art Stroll is free, open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

If you’re looking for more opportunities to get outside, the National Park Service will offer a Fee-Free Day at all national parks, including Colonial National Historical Park, on Saturday, September 23. History buffs will also enjoy a two-day Road to Yorktown Revolutionary War Reenactment event at Historic Endview on Saturday and Sunday.

While the weather is starting to cool down, the live music scene is heating up again in the Historic Triangle this week. There will be several free concerts, including The Michael Clark Band performing as part of Yorktown’s Rhythms on the Riverwalk concert series; the Tidewater Concert Band at Williamsburg Library; another New Town Tunes concert featuring Blood, Sweat and Years and the kickoff of the Open Door Concert Series, featuring Gabrielle Goodman, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church.

-Christin

Events This Week

Monday, Sept. 18

Kids

• Lego Club – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Kids in grades PreK-5 are invited to stop by and build and create with Legos. 4:00 – 6:00 pm. 

Arts & Crafts

• Garden Workshop: Grapevine Wreaths – Landscape Design Studio (Colonial Williamsburg). Participants will decorate their own grapevine wreath with natural materials following a demonstration by a Colonial Williamsburg landscape designer. Tickets are $65. 3:00 – 4:30 pm. 

Film

• Cinema @ Scotland Street: “The Menu” – Williamsburg Library Theatre (Williamsburg). This film series features indie, foreign, art house and documentary films. This week’s featured film is The Menu (2022). This film is rated R. See the trailer here. Free admission. 6:00 pm. 

Yoga

• Community Yoga – Watermen’s Museum (Yorktown). Enjoy a rejuvenating yoga practice while overlooking the beautiful York River on the first and third Mondays of the month. The cost is $10 per session; $30 for a 4-session pass; $5 for students. Proceeds benefit the Watermen’s Museum. 6:00 – 6:50 pm.

Tuesday, Sept. 19

Kids

• Creation Station – Yorktown Library (Yorktown). This creative craft hour is for kids in grades K-5th grade. See the website to register. 4:00 – 5:00 pm. 
• Cena con Cuentos – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). This storytime program is in Spanish for families that speak Spanish at home with children ages 0 to 10. The program features stories, songs, activities and dinner for the whole family. Free. Contact Sarah Meldrum smeldrum@wrl.org to sign up. 5:00 – 6:30 pm. 

Writing

• Writers’ Meetup – Tabb Library (Yorktown). This monthly writers group offers writers a space to work on their projects, offer and receive critiques and connect with other local writers. No registration is needed. 6:30 – 7:45 pm.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Recycling

• Soft Plastic Recycling – James City Lions Club (Williamsburg). Recycle your soft plastic from 9:00 – 10:00 am at Colonial Towne Plaza Shopping Center, 6925 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg. Food donations for FISH and used eyeglasses/hearing aids will also be accepted. See the club’s website for acceptable items – NOT acceptable are pet food bags, mulch and other yard product bags, or candy, chip, etc. wrappers.

History

• Quackery, Snake Oil and Patent Medicines – Warwick Courthouse 1884 (Newport News). Hear the fun-filled but unbelievable history of medical cures and treatments over the years. 11:30 am.  

Books

• How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most: An Author Talk with Adam Alter – Virtual (hosted by WRL). Adam Alter, author of How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most, will host a live author talk and Q&A. Viewers will be able to ask questions directly to the author. See the website to register. 2:00 pm. 

Teens

• Teen Gaming – Yorktown Library (Yorktown). This event brings together teens from the community to play games, socialize and interact in a safe and happy environment. For ages 11 and up. 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

Music

• New Town Tunes: Blood, Sweat and Years – Sullivan Square (New Town). New Town’s fall concert series returns with another concert on Wednesday, September 20. The featured band will be Blood, Sweat and Years (tribute to Blood, Sweat and Tears). Lawn chairs or blankets for recommended for seating. Dogs are welcome. Free. Gates open at 5 pm; shows start at 5:30 pm. 

Lecture

• Director’s Series: David M. Givens – Jamestown Settlement (Williamsburg). David M. Givens, Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation’s director of archaeology at Historic Jamestowne, will address the climate challenges Jamestown faces and his team’s efforts to protect the site. Admission is limited and tickets ($10 each) must be purchased in advance. This program will also be livestreamed. To purchase tickets, click here. 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Special Event

• Wayfinding: How Humans Navigate the World – The Mariners’ Museum and Park (Newport News). Science journalist and author M.R. O’Connor will discuss her fascinating travels to the Arctic, Australia and the South Pacific in which she learned how master navigators find their way using environmental cues. O’Connor’s stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Foreign Policy, Slate, The Atlantic, and Nautilus. In-person tickets are $10 per guest and include one drink ticket. Virtual admission is free. All attendees must pre-register whether attending in-person or virtually. Doors open at 6:00 pm, and the program will be held from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. 

Arts & Crafts

• DIY Craft: Quilting – Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg). Hear the story of quilter Arlonzia Pettway and enjoy a mini DIY quilting project. Requires Art Museum admission or a Good Neighbor pass and a $5 program ticket. 10:30 – 11:30 am. 

Film

• Throwback Thursday Film Series: “Macbeth” – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). This film series features a variety of contemporary and classic movies for an adult audience. This week’s featured film is Macbeth (2015; R). See the website for a description. 2:00 – 4:00 pm. 

Virtual Reality

• Virtual Reality Experience: Notre Dame – James City County Library (Williamsburg). This virtual reality tour will explore the Notre Dame reconstruction effort using the library’s Virtual Reality headsets. For ages 13+. 2:00 pm. 

Yoga

• Sunset Yoga Flow on the James – Jamestown Beach Event Park (Williamsburg). Thursdays, September 21 & 28. Attend a sunset yoga class in a beautiful setting, where you’ll be able to connect with nature. All levels welcome; registration required. $8/session. 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
• Evening Yoga – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Attend an evening of yoga and breathing exercises led by a certified instructor. This program is held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month. For ages 18+; all skill levels. 6:30 – 7:30 pm. 

Kids

• STEM Storytime – Yorktown Library (Yorktown). This program for kids ages 2-10 features a different STEM concept every month. There will be a storytime and craft, experiment or demonstration. 7:00 – 7:30 pm. 

Music

• Rhythms on the Riverwalk: Michael Clark Band – Riverwalk Landing (Yorktown). Enjoy a concert by the Michael Clark Band as part of the Rhythms on the Riverwalk fall concert series in Yorktown. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Coolers are permitted in designated areas. Rotating food trucks will also be on-site, and many Historic Yorktown restaurants will also be open for dine-in and take-out options. Free. 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
• Bela Fleck & Gershwin – Ferguson Center for the Arts (Newport News). Banjo superstar Bela Fleck will perform his new arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue on Banjo. See the website for additional details or to purchase tickets. 7:30 pm. 
• Organ Recital: Tribute to Dr. James Kibbie – Bruton Parish Church (Williamsburg). Enjoy a special retirement tribute to organist and teacher Dr. James Kibbie. This performance is presented by Dr. JanEl Will, organist at Bruton Parish. Parking near the Historic Area is suggested. 8:00 – 9:00 pm.

Friday, Sept. 22

History

• Tour: Custis Square Archaeology – Custis Square (Colonial Williamsburg). Stop by Colonial Williamsburg for a guided tour through Custis Square, where archaeologists are in the process of excavating the four-acre property of John Custis IV. You’ll have the chance to talk to archaeologists in the field about the current excavation project and what they’ve learned so far. Tours meet at the corner of Francis and Nassau Streets and last for approximately one hour. Included with CW Admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. Tour times are 9:30 – 10:30 am, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 – 2:00 pm and 2:30 – 3:30 pm. 

Tweens & Teens

• Movie Night: “Monsters vs. Aliens” – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Tweens and teens ages 11-18 are invited to enjoy a movie with pizza and popcorn. The featured film will be Monsters vs. Aliens (PG; 2009). 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

Outdoor Recreation

• Friday Evening Canoe Adventure – Lee Hall Reservoir (Newport News). Park rangers will guide this family-fun canoe program. It features a short canoe safety presentation, basic canoe techniques and nature and history-related stops on the water. See the website for registration information. $8 per person. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Special Events

• National Park Fee-Free Day. The National Park Service will host an Entrance Fee-Free Day on Saturday, September 26, in honor of National Public Lands Day. Entrance fees will be waived at Colonial National Historical Park. Note: Preservation Virginia may charge a separate fee for entrance to a jointly managed portion of Jamestown (including New Towne, James Fort Site and Archaearium). 
• WISC Fit(ness) Fest– Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (Williamsburg). This free event is for all ages. It features a variety of fitness activities – including a sample size portion of Les Mills BodyPump & BodyCombat, HIIT, Power Hour, Total Body Row, Bounce & Burn, and Barre! PLUS(!) – and a Power Performance obstacle course for kids 8+. There will also be activities for younger kids. Snacks, raffles, discounts, samples and discounts will also be available. 9:00 – 11:00 am. 
• Harvest Festival – Chickahominy Riverfront Park (Williamsburg). James City County’s annual fall family tradition, the Harvest Festival, returns on Saturday, September 23. The event will include free activities for kids, including painting, arts and crafts, inflatables, games, family photo opportunities, trackless train rides and alpacas. There will also be tractor-pulled hayrides and music by local bluegrass band Code Blue. Food trucks will be on site. Admission is free, though parking is $5 per car (cash or check only). Scarecrow stuffing will be also available while supplies last ($20 per scarecrow). 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 
• National Public Lands Day (Estuaries Day) – York River State Park (Williamsburg). Celebrate National Public Lands Day by exploring exhibits from various organizations highlighting York River State Park’s unique ecosystem. Staff and volunteers will lead hiking and paddling excursions, and self-guided adventures are also welcome.  This event will also feature a special Capt. John Smith Getaways Exhibit. 12:00 – 4:00 pm. 

Markets

• 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. Timothy Seaman will perform live music from 9:00 – 11:00 am. The market runs from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
• Yorktown Market Days – Riverwalk Landing (Yorktown). Enjoy spectacular views of the York River while shopping for seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, meats, beautiful artwork and more. Acoustical harmonist Winsome will perform on the Riverwalk Landing Stage. 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. 
• Hilton Village Farmers Market – Historic Hilton Village (Newport News). Shop for goods from local farmers and bakers at this NEW year-round market at Historic Hilton Village. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. 
• Toano Open Air Market – 7891 Richmond Road (Toano). Shop for a variety of items from local farmers, artists and artisans. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
• Buckroe Beach Farmers Market – Buckroe Beach (Hampton). Shop for fresh produce, baked goods, dog treats, gift items and much more from 30+ local vendors. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. 

Nature

• Bird Walk – New Quarter Park (Williamsburg). Attend a bird walk at New Quarter Park, led by the Williamsburg Bird Club. Meet at the parking lot near the park office. Free and open to the public. 8:00 – 10:00 am.

Outdoor Recreation

• Walk This Way: Williamsburg Walking Club – James City County Recreation Center outdoor walking trail (Williamsburg). Walking coaches will guide participants through the trails of James City County. There will be a new trail start location each month, and this month’s featured trail location is the James City County Recreation Center outdoor walking trail. Registration is required. 9:00 – 10:00 am. 

Arts & Crafts

• Maker: 3D Printing 101 – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Learn the basics of 3D printing as well as the ways it’s being used in different industries. For ages 13 through adult. Registration is not required. 11:00 am. 
• Crafternoon – Yorktown Library (Yorktown). Attend a relaxing afternoon of crafting and community. This program focuses on crocheting, knitting, needlepoint and related crafts. 3:00 – 5:00 pm. 

Photography

• Wildlife and Nature Photography with Rick Hopson – Yorktown Library (Yorktown). Rich Hopson, a wildlife and nature photographer, will offer tips for aspiring digital photographers and share his experiences. For adults and teens. 2:00 – 3:00 pm. 

Dancing

• Country Line Dance Lesson – James City County Library (Williamsburg). Don’t miss this country line dance lesson. See the website for registration details. 2:00 – 3:30 pm. 

Music

• Bobby Thomas – Spoke & Art Provisions Co. (Williamsburg). Enjoy live music by Bobby Thomas. 12:00 – 4:00 pm. 
• Dewey Decibel Concert Series: Tidewater Concert Band – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Enjoy a concert by The Tidewater Concert Band. The band provides high-quality musical entertainment ranging from Sousa Style Marches, Big Band, to Swing, Blues, and even Broadway Musicals. It consists of volunteer musicians from every occupation including, local band directors, students, as well as former and current military musicians. Free admission; no tickets required. 2:00 pm. 
• Early Music Chamber Recital – Bruton Parish Church (Williamsburg). Enjoy an Early Music Chamber Recital featuring Sophie Genevieve Lowe on baroque violin, Ryan Lowe on baroque cello, and Rebecca Davy on harpsichord. 8:00 – 9:00 pm.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Special Events

• The Arts and Mysteries of Brewing – Historic Trade: Cook (Colonial Williamsburg). This demonstration will delve into the brewing practice as it was practiced in the 18th century. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. 10:00 am – 3:45 pm. 
• Yorktown Art Stroll – 331 Water Street (Yorktown). Don’t miss the Yorktown Art Stroll on Sunday, September 24 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. There will be a wide range of art for sale, including oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings; glass; drawings; photography; jewelry; pottery; fiber art; handmade soap; and woodwork. See the website for a full list of participating artists as well as parking information. Free and open to the public.

Gaming

• Tabletop Gaming (18+) – Tabb Library (Yorktown). This program features three hours of tabletop gaming. For ages 18+ and all levels of gaming experience. Teens may also attend with an accompanying adult. 1:30 – 4:30 pm. 

Tweens/teens

• Teen Arts & Crafts – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Tweens and teens in grades 6-12 will learn a new craft or create something unique. 2:00 – 3:00 pm. 

Music

• Rob Torgler of Raw Beets – Spoke & Art Provisions Co. (Williamsburg). Enjoy a performance by Rob Torgler from the band Raw Beets. 12:00 – 4:00 pm.
• Open Door Concert Series: Gabrielle Goodman – Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (Williamsburg). Williamsburg Presbyterian Church’s Open Door Concert Series will kick off for the season on Sunday, September 24 with a concert by Gabrielle Goodman. Goodman – a professor at the Berklee College of Music who has sung alongside numerous jazz, classical and gospel music ensembles – will present a tribute to Duke Ellington. Free. 4:00 pm.

Multi-Day

Special Events

• The Road to Yorktown! Revolutionary War Reenactment – Historic Endview (Newport News). Experience the events that led to the Battle of Yorktown in the American Revolution. American and British troops will gather at their camps. Guests will learn how and why the soldiers fought, meet people who supported them and perhaps decide to join them. Highlights will include daily battles, weapon and artillery demonstrations, historic house tours, military drills and more. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family. Kids under age 7 are free. Cash is preferred. The event will be held on Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and on Sunday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 
• 97th Annual Hampton Regatta – Fort Monroe Outlook Beach (Hampton). Attend the 97th Hampton Cup Regatta, the East Coast’s premier inboard hydroplane race. Spectating areas are on the Mercury Blvd. bridge that leads to Fort Monroe and the grassy area on Stilwell Drive. Attendees should bring their own seating. Free and open to the public. September 23 & 24, 2023, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Homeschool Days 2023 – Colonial Williamsburg. CW’s fall Homeschool Days will be held September 9-24, 2023. During these special days, homeschoolers and their families can explore the world’s largest U.S. history museum at a discounted rate. Tickets must be booked online to secure the special rate. Click here for additional details, including a full schedule of upcoming events. 

Theatre

• Brighton Beach Memoirs – James-York Playhouse (Williamsburg). The Williamsburg Players will present the Brighton Beach Memoirs, September 8-24. See the website for a description or to purchase tickets. Tickets are $22 for adults; $12 for students. 

Nature

• Butterfly Haven Exhibit – Virginia Living Museum (Newport News). Over 450  butterflies and moths and dozens of chrysalis are now part of the Butterfly Haven exhibit at the Virginia Living Museum. The exhibit will be open July 29 – September 24. Click here for details.

Future Events to Note

• 2nd Annual Pints and Paws 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and “Pup Strut” – 2070 Jamestown Road (Williamsburg). Registration is now open for a 5K running and walking event with a 1 Mile Fun Run Walk and Pup Strut to benefit 4Paws Animal Rescue. The event will be held on Sunday, October 1 and is co-sponsored by Colonial Sports. One beer and one slice of pizza will be included in the registration; non-drinkers will receive a root beer. Awards will be given out to humans and canines. See the website for pricing information or to register. 
• Sine Nomine Presents . . . Kevin Kwan in Concert – St. Mark Lutheran Church (Yorktown). Sine Nomine Presents… and St. Mark Lutheran Church are delighted to present organist Kevin Kwan in concert on Sunday, October 1. Mr. Kwan is the Organist and Director of Music at Christ and St. Luke Episcopal Church in Norfolk. As a recitalist, Mr. Kwan has performed solo recitals in many prestigious venues, including Lichfield, Truro, Bristol, Westminster and Gloucester Cathedrals, as well as Bath Abbey and Westminster Abbey. In the summer of 2010, he played before a capacity audience at Passau Cathedral, Germany. Free and open to the public. 5:00 pm.
• NAMI Family to Family Education Program – Williamsburg House of Mercy (Williamsburg). NAMI will hold a series of 8 free weekly classes structured to help family members, partners and significant others understand and support those living with mental illness while maintaining their own wellbeing. The program will be offered Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:30 pm, October 4 – November 29. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. If you have questions, call (757) 220-8535 or email info@namiwilliamsburg.org.
• Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival – Port Warwick (Newport News). Don’t miss the 19th Annual Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival, October 14 – 15, 2023. The event will feature beautiful artisans, live entertainment and fund and educational programs for children and families. There will also be food trucks and a beer and wine garden.