Celebrate Virginia Dare's 425th Birthday this Saturday in Manteo
August 18, 2012 marks the 425th birthday of the Outer Banks’ most famous native and the first English child born in America, Virginia Dare, and there are numerous family friendly events planned to the celebrate the occasion in Manteo this Saturday.
In addition to the historical progams and presentations happening all day at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island, The Lost Colony will present its annual birthday performances featuring live local born babies portraying Virginia Dare on Saturday and Monday night at 8:30pm.
Three-month-old Ozzie Artz of Kill Devil Hills starred as “Baby Virginia Dare” in the christening scene in ‘The Lost Colony’ on August 18, 2007. (photo: Artz Music & Photography)
This year’s “Baby Virginia” actors are Taylor Johnson, Lola Khirikhan, Edgar Wyatt Martin, Jack Gray, John Neal Pritchard and Lillian Grace Binkley on Saturday night, and Gracie Gallop, Lacy Elizabeth Seawell, Marc “Crew” Basnight-Moran, Laila Rose Adger, Annabelle Bowman and Angel M. Tobiasz on Monday, August 20.
Read on the for the full schedule of events happening this Saturday, August 18.
At Fort Raleigh National Historic Site:
10 a.m. & 1 p.m. The Birth and Baptism of Virginia Dare at the Earthen Fort.
11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Aug.18, 1590: The Governor & Grandfather Returns. John White returned to Roanoke Island three years to the day of the birth of his granddaughter Virginia Dare. What did he find when he arrived? Why did he leave so quickly? This event takes place at the visitor center auditorium.
12 p.m. & 3 p.m. – What Happened to Virginia Dare? There are multiple theories on the fate of Virginia Dare. Join the discussion at the visitor center auditorium.
Children are invited to participate in the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Junior Ranger Program. By completing a booklet and attending programs, they can earn a Junior Ranger badge. Junior Ranger booklets are free and available at the visitor center.
A 17-minute video about the Roanoke Voyages will also be shown throughout the day.
At The Elizabethan Gardens:
9 a.m. – Gardens opens, special admission $4.25, plant sale begins
10 a.m. – Marjorie Hudson, author of “Accidental Birds of North Carolina” will join in the celebrations with a presentation on Virginia Dare.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Docents Recount History at Virginia Dare Statue
11 a.m. – The Legend of White Doe – story read by Nancy Harvey
12 p.m. – Mint activities for children
1 p.m. – Cake and ice cream with the Queen
2 p.m. – Plant sale ends
2 p.m. – Self guided scavenger hunt
3 p.m. – SCENTsational garden fun
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