Travel local trails this weekend, either on pedals or paws. There’s also the chance to dance the night away overlooking the York River, or scope out some art in downtown Williamsburg.
Want to see your event included in What You’ll Do? We pull these ideas from our community calendar, which you can find on the right side of WYDaily.com. Submitting to the calendar is free and easy, so make sure to add upcoming events for your group or organization.
Song and Dance
Shagging on the Riverwalk, a beach music concert series centered on a form of dancing similar to swing, kicks off this Thursday at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, as well as their dancing shoes, for this free event. The music starts at 6:30 p.m.
The Williamsburg Players opens their musical “Into the Woods” this weekend, with shows at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. With music by Stephen Sondheim, the story follows favorite storybook characters in dark comedy. All performances will be at the Williamsburg Players playhouse on Hubbard Lane.
Get Moving Outside
The Rotary Club of the Historic Triangle will hold a golf outing Friday to benefit local organizations. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. at Kiskiack Golf Club, with a hole in one contest and many prizes. See the Hometown section to learn more about the history of the event and who it benefits.
Pack the Track on Saturday morning for the grand opening of the John Blair Mountain Bike Trail. The Friends of York River State Park and the Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association will be leading a group ride suitable for beginners on the final 6.5 miles of the trail, and there will also be rides and food. The official opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m. at York River State Park.
Take the pup for the kickoff event of Tails on the Trail with the Heritage Humane Society and James City County Parks and Recreation. Two new dog-friendly trails were added this year at Freedom Park, and starting at 9 a.m. residents can register for free human and dog gear, and an itinerary for all eight self-guided trail treks.
For fun on wheels, James City County Parks and Recreation is hosting two competitions at the skate park adjacent to the JCC Recreation Center: skateboarding on Saturday and a BMX contest Sunday. Both events start at 10 a.m., with all ages and experience levels welcome to compete for prizes. The event is free and open to guests, and there will also be food and live local music.
Art and Literature
Lafayette Jones Jr. will be giving a presentation and singing his book “My Great, Great Grandfather’s Journey to an Island of Freedom” at 3 p.m. Saturday at Freedom Park. Jones is a descendent of those who lived on the Free Black Settlement in that area, and the book records the evolution of slavery from its early years in the U.S. to life in the settlement. Read more about Jones’ inspiration and his work here.
2nd Sunday Art and Street festival will be on the 400 block of Prince George Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event features more than 60 artists in various disciplines, as well two stages of live music and a living history demonstration. One of the local authors presenting their work will be Ed Engle, author of “To North Vietnam and Back Again,” from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Look to the Past
The Williamsburg Reunion celebrates the history of the community this weekend, with events Saturday and Sunday throughout town. This year’s reunion is open to those who lived in or around Williamsburg, James City County and York County’s Bruton District in the year 1974 or earlier.
