We’ve definitely ‘hit the ground running’ this year. We’ve already had a wedding on site, supported a meeting of the Rotary Club of Yorktown, and were blessed by a volunteer work day from the Tabb Kiwanians. We’ve had a Folk Jam and the monthly Swing dance and Storytellers meeting are just upon the horizon. And, our new Dry Ship is now operational, needing only a few minor actions taken to make it totally complete. This museum kiosk replaces the older, much smaller ‘ship’, enabling us to better support our children’s camps and other educational programs, as well as our arts programs, including re-enactors, theater, music and dance events.
We hosted the Tartans and Tie-Dye event supporting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life last weekend. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. Attendance was very low…possible caused by the arctic cold blast, blustery winds, and snow flurries that so viciously attacked our region. We do have to say that our bands, Shanty Grass, Muddy Gems, The Hark, and Blind and Dirty were real troopers. Despite numb guitar and banjo playing fingers and bone-chilling winds, they all provided really great music. We hope our next event supporting Relay for Life turns is favored with much better weather so more people can support this great cause and enjoy another great day at the Museum.
Yesterday, we conducted the first York River Craft Beer Festival. If you didn’t make it out to see us, you missed one of the biggest events in York County. This was our inaugural festival and it exceeded all of our expectations. We had over 1,000 attendees. The event included 20 breweries and cideries, four food vendors, and specialty and artisan vendors. Our two bands, ‘Anthony Rosano and The Conqueroos’ and ‘Roosterfoot’ played amazing sets of music. We had a drone and multiple land-based photographers present. So standby for some amazing pictures. Everyone we talked with had a great time and is looking forward to our second annual event. We hope you’ll join us.
Looking slightly into the future, in addition to our Swing Dance event on Monday April 18 and the Story Tellers on the following Monday, the annual Yorktown Pirate Invasion is coming up on April 30th and May 1st. This free event is jointly hosted by the Riverwalk Merchants, York County, and the Watermen’s Museum. You’ll see pirates, representing seafaring life in the late 17th and 18th-centuries, invade Yorktown. you can visit an encampment, watch the cannon firing demonstrations, learn about the life of a pirate, and even sing some sea shanties with pirates.
And, for you parents…this is just the first of many reminders that our summer camp series is back again this year. Beginning in mid June and running through late August, we will be offering Pirate Camp for children in or rising to grades K-5. and we will be offering three other camps for children in or rising to grades 3-8. These three camps are Archeology, Boatbuilding, and Nature Explorer. And, remember, if you family signs up for any combination of two or more enrollments, you will receive a discount of $20 on every camp enrollment for your family. See the Summer Fun pages of our web site for more information and for enrollment forms
