Cape Charles Schedule of Events
As an official affiliate port for OpSail 2012 Virginia™, Cape Charles and her sister towns on Virginia’s Eastern Shore present an unprecedented boutique visitor experience commemorating the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.
For the first time, Eastern Shore communities of Cape Charles, Onancock and Tangier Island are participating in this type of event. Visitors of all ages will be treated to a rich panoply of events encompassing nearly 50 miles of our pristine coastline.
Beginning June 8, 2012 and continuing through June 12th, Cape Charles, our deep water “Harbor To Hospitality” presents a rare opportunity to get up close and personal as you explore the decks of the LYNX and the SULTANA and meet the crews of these magnificent Tall Ships. Each will be open for public visitation free of charge. In addition, you may book day-sails on each of the vessels at specified times throughout the long weekend.
The Tall Ships will be surrounded and welcomed by a bevy of other craft of every conceivable kind and shape: buy boats, sloops, skipjacks, Navy and Coast Guard vessels, private yachts, kayaks, dinghies and even paddleboards!
This is small town America the way it used to be. Explore our historic villages, watch fireworks “by the dawn’s early light”, join professional musicians singing sea chanteys and other rollicking tunes; view historical re-enactments, art shows, and plays. Kids may make and sail a model boat, go on pony rides, or try their hand at hauling the yard-arm. Everywhere savor our succulent seafood and revel in our spectacular sunsets.
For more information, visit http://tallshipscapecharles.com
TUESDAY JUNE 12, 2012
Parade of Sail Up the Chesapeake- A new event for OpSail 2012 Virginia™! As the fleet of tall ships depart, they will proceed in formation out of the Elizabeth River, past Fort Monroe in Hampton and turn northward in the Chesapeake Bay towards their next port of call in Baltimore, MD. The fleet will maintain a speed of six knots, passing Smith Point at the mouth of the Potomac River around sunset (about 9PM) on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Recreational boaters, yacht clubs and charter vessels are encouraged to participate in the Parade by sailing alongside the fleet as they make their way northward. This will offer a unique opportunity to see the tall ships in their natural environment - at sea. Boaters are encouraged to check this website regularly to learn more about the Parade and look for informational brochures on small boat safety and navigational restrictions specific to OpSail 2012 Virginia™. Viewing locations in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck, Eastern Shore. For more information, visit Parade of Sail Information.
Eastville’s Star Spangled Day set for Saturday, June 9, 2012
Eastville Joins Tall Ships At Cape Charles’County-Wide Celebration In Association With OpSail 2012 Virginia ™
MAP OF EASTVILLE EVENTS
Eastville boasts one of the most vibrant histories of any town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore having been the home to the Oldest Continuous Court Records in the Nation, since 1632. During the Civil War Richmond called for all the County records to be sent to Richmond for safe keeping. Northampton refused. Richmond burned. The town’s history also boasts a rebellion of taxation without representation a full century before the Boston Tea Party and the public reading of The Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Old Courthouse on August 13, 1776. The Court Green is one of the oldest intact court greens in the nation. The Old Courthouse dates from 1731, the Old Clerk’s Office c.1800, and the Old Debtor’s Prison c.1815.
On Eastville’s Star Spangled Day, the historic buildings will be open to the public with costumed docents being members of the Preservation Virginia Association (PVA) to give the tours. Visitors will be invited to enjoy A Walk Thru Eastville-A Walk Thru History, a self-guided walking tour with an accompanying brochure of Eastville. Also open for visitors that day will be the historic Christ Episcopal Church c.1828.
A rare opportunity will be available for historians and genealogists as the Circuit Court with our original court records will be open for research between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Also, while the Circuit Court is open, the Clerk will be happy to issue marriage license, since June is the wedding month. The marriage licenses are available with the payment of $30.00 cash with both the bride and groom present and each must have a valid state-issued picture ID with a control number, such as a driver’s license. At 3:00 PM at the Town Park Traci Johnson, Clerk of Court, will be delighted to marry anyone licensed and wishing to be married or to renew their vows on this special day. Tack into Eastville and Tie the Knot!
The historic Eastville Inn will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yuk-Yuk and Joe’s will be offering boxed lunches at the event and will be open for lunch and dinner at their place of business, also.
The town’s festival lineup includes the following events and times:
10:00 Music-Native American Flute Instruction and Performance by Alan Stanz who is the Visitor Services Manager at the ES National Wildlife Service at Kiptopeake. He is also a professional musician and has performed all over the world. He was a member of the U.S. Navy Band in a previous life. (Location C)
10:30 Opening Ceremonies with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner on the Court Green with Alan Stanz on solo saxophone and welcome greetings by Jim Sturgis, Mayor and Katie Nunez,County Administrator. SFC. ALVY POWELL, bass-baritone of the U.S. Army Chorus will then sing the National Anthem as he has for Presidents. (Location B)
12:00 Speaker Series-DR. PAUL EWELL-19th Century Chesapeake Bay Workboats – 1899 Courthouse, upstairs (handicapped accessible)-Dr. Paul L. Ewell will narrate a presentation chronicling the types of sailing vessels used for commercial fishing and transport purposes on the Chesapeake Bay and the seaside of the Eastern Shore of Virginia during and after the War of 1812. Included will be a discussion of skipjacks, bugeyes, pungies, schooners, rams, sailing scows, log canoes, brogans, and sailing skiffs. Numerous photos and artifacts will be available for viewing. An outdoor exhibit will offer visitors the opportunity to see a modern vessel and its associated equipment used in commercial industry. (Location D)
12:00-1:00 Music- “3 SHEETS” is Owen Hooks, Thom Nolan and Bill Troxler. The trio delivers a mix of Celtic, nautical, traditional and contemporary music to audiences. Owen sings tenor harmony and plays guitar and mandolin. He is a veteran of several recordings and groups including RED LETTER DAY and SALT GRASS. Thom sings lead baritone and plays percussion. Thom was a mainstay in the California based, Irish music recording and touring group CLADDAGH. Bill plays hammer dulcimer, cittern, guitar, banjo, concertina and other instruments. He toured and recorded with the Maryland based duo FULCRUM BRIDGE. (Location C)
12:30 Demonstration- MIKE “FIERCE ARROW” HINMAN- Vice-Council of the Accoohannock Indian Tribe- he will provide an Eastern Woodland Indian Primitive Weapon demonstration (Location E)
1:00 Music-THE MESSAGE CHOIR-the Multi-ethnic Eastern Shore Spirituals and Group Ensemble. MESSAGE is a volunteer youth choir based in Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The choir convenes to learn Negro spirituals such as Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Amen. (Location C)
1:30 Speaker Series-DOUGLAS ARVIDSON-The Secrets of the Ancient Pacific Navigators and The War of 1812: The Star Connection- Speaker-author & mariner -1899 Courthouse, upstairs (handicapped accessible) (Location D)
2:00-3:00-music-“3 SHEETS”-see above (Location C)
3:00 Speaker Series with Mike “Fierce Arrow” Hinman, Tribal Historian and Vice Council of the Accohnnocks Indian Tribe will speak on the history of the local tribes and clarify the history of their culture. He will be happy to take questions. (Location D)
3:00- The Heavenly Wings Over Jordan Gospel Group which include Jerome Custis, George Christion, Edward Tucker, Elijah Corbin, and Kevin Starchley.(Location C)
3:00 TACK INTO EASTVILLE and TIE THE KNOT-Weddings at the Eastville Town Park-anyone wishing to get married on this special day, who has the proper marriage license, or any couples who would like to renew their vows need to be at the town park for their wedding ceremony at the gazebo.(Location F)
4:00 & 5:15- DEAN SHOSTAK’S CRYSTAL CONCERT is a multi-media concert that introduces audiences to glass instruments. A special part of the concert will be with the Grande Glass Harmonicon invented by Benjamin Franklin and similar to the one on display in the Chrysler Museum which is from Eastville. Mr. Shostak has been featured on All Things Considered, The Early Show, CNN and HGTV, to name a few. The concert will be held at the historic Christ Episcopal Church. (Location G)
Also participating at Eastville’s Star Spangled Day are several of our own local stars:
The Island Creamery -Best homemade ice cream on the Eastern Shore
Pungo Creek Mills-Bill and Laurel Savage grow, cure, grind and market cornmeal made from an heirloom variety of Indian corn that has been grown locally since at least 1870 (DNA tested back to 1840)
Local Artists
Face painting
Hair weaving with feathers, metallic highlights, sparkle and color
Activities for Children
A lot is happening between now and the event. We are adding vendors and fun things to do every week, so please check back and see what we have to offer at eastville.esva.net.
We are the small town with the BIG records!
For more information and a continually updated listing of the Eastville events and participants, please visit www.eastville.esva.net. For more information about Tall Ships at Cape Charles, visit www.tallshipscapecharles.com.
