Yorktown Victory Weekend

With Colonial Williamsburg as an added bonus!!!

Friday, October 18^th - Sunday October 20^th

This is going to be the highlight of 2024 my friends.  This weekend is jam packed with fun and meaningful activities including fireworks and a flyover by the French Airforce.  There are parades and Franco-American ceremonies.

Not only will we be celebrating the 243rd anniversary of the victory at Yorktown (and Lafayette's presence there), but also the Bicentennial of Lafayette's return there on October 19, 1824.

Even better is the fact that the American Friends of Lafayette are the official hosts of this year's celebrations.  Lafayette will be front and center.   Lafayette will be everywhere.  The parade and ceremonies will be Franco-American.  Everything will be all about LAFAYETTE!!!  We expect the public events to attract thousands of attendees.

• Friday, October 18th, (2:30 pm in Yorktown) Lafayette arrives by boat in Yorktown (just as he did 200 years before !!).   There will be a grand celebration as Lafayette disembarks at the York River docks.  Dignitaries (and you) will be on hand to welcome the hero of two worlds.  Significant pomp and circumstance will be on full display with music and speeches.  Open and free to the public.

• Saturday, October 19th (8:30am in Yorktown).  The commemorations start at the French Cemetery, then on to the French Memorial.  There will be a flyover by the French Military, followed by a not to be missed parade.  The morning activities end with our annual Patriotic Exercises with Lafayette as our keynote speaker.  Open and free to the public.

• Saturday, October 19th (3:00pm in Yorktown) a concert by Williamsburg Youth Symphony.  This will take place right on Main Street in Yorktown.  They will play period music fit for Lafayette.  Open and free to the public.

• Saturday, October 19th (5:00pm in Yorktown) the WORLD-FAMOUS AFL Cocktail Party.  This year (due to increased popularity) the dinner party will take place at the Historic Freight Shed situated on the bank of the York River.  This party is a not-to-be-missed event! register here.

• Sunday, October 20th, (11:00am in Colonial Williamsburg)

Sir Christopher Wren Building, The College of William & Mary

A Commemoration of Lafayette’s W&M Honorary Degree

This program will mark the “homecoming” of an illustrious alumnus in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Lafayette receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Welcome by President Rowe or Representative
• Reading of the Honorary Degree of Law
• Remarks by the Lafayette

• Ringing of the Wren Building Bell

NOTE: Planning is underway for the original honorary degree document, now housed in a French museum, to be on public display on the campus of W&M.

Open and free to the public. 

• Sunday, October 20th, (1:00pm in Colonial Williamsburg)

Capitol Circle to Market Square, CW Historic Area

A Community Procession & Welcome Ceremony

The procession will begin at the Capitol Circle. Lafayette will ride in the Wythe Carriage,

accompanied by the CW Fifes & Drums and VA State Garrison Regiment and others to be

announced. The Market Square program, staged on the Colonial Courthouse steps and surrounding environs, will incorporate salutes from the 18th, 19th and 21st century.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Welcome by current City and Community Officials

• Musical selections (2 french, 1 patriotic) by the Walsingham Academy Madrigals

• Toasts to Lafayette - as originally presented at the Raleigh Tavern in 1824.

• Remarks by Lafayette

• A 1781 “flashback” with 18th century Williamsburg residents associated with Lafayette

• A cannon salute to the nations of France & The United States of America 

• Sunday, October 20th, (3:00pm in Colonial Williamsburg)

Kimball Theatre, Merchants Square

Lafayette in Williamsburg: A Dramatic Presentation 

 

 In this dramatic presentation, Lafayette returns to Williamsburg on October 20, 1824, and reflects upon the people and events that he experienced in his life. This program will be held in the gorgeous Kimball Theatre.  Details and ticketing will be sent out soon.

• Sunday, October 20th, (6:00pm in Williamsburg)

Vive Lafayette! Beer Release and Wine Dinner

We are planning a Virginia themed dinner at the gorgeous Williamsburg Winery where we will enjoy Lafayette Bicentennial Wine and a Bicentennial beer, Vive Lafayette! produced by Virginia Beer Company.  This is a full dinner event!!!  More to come.