UPDATE: In the wake of the federal government shutdown, the annual Yorktown Day Parade on Main Street and Patriotic Exercises, traditionally held at the Yorktown Victory Monument, administered by Colonial National Historical Park Yorktown Battlefield, have been cancelled. The Yorktown Day Association will hold a private ceremony on Oct. 19 honoring Yorktown Day at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Wreath-laying ceremonies honoring American and French soldiers, as well as British and Loyalist soldiers, will be held on Oct. 18-19 at various locations in Historic Yorktown.
YORKTOWN — The Commemoration of Yorktown Day returns on Oct. 19 and will feature free activities and events for all ages.
Yorktown Day, celebrated annually on Oct. 19, commemorates the American Revolutionary War victory at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. The battle marked the end of fighting in America and paved the way for independence.
Co-sponsored by the Yorktown Day Association and the National Park Service, events will take place around the waterfront area, kicking off at 10 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at the French Memorial in honor of the French and American Alliance. Following the 10 a.m. ceremony, wreath layings will also take place at the home of Gov. Thomas Nelson Jr. at 10:15 and the French Cemetery at Yorktown Battlefield at 10:45 a.m.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Gallery at York Hall will be open and host book signings by local authors. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., The Custom House will be open to the public.
The annual Yorktown Day Parade has been cancelled.
The day will conclude at 2:15 p.m. with a final wreath-laying ceremony and patriotic exercises at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
The Fifes and Drums of York Town will also play at various times throughout the day.
As Yorktown Day falls on a Sunday, York County government offices will observe the holiday on Monday, Oct. 20. County offices will be closed, as well as York-Poquoson Social Services, York County Libraries, Voter Registration Offices, and the Waste Management Center Offices.
To learn more about Yorktown Day, go to visityorktown.org.