Yorktown Day Association cancels Yorktown Day Parade and Patriotic Exercises on October 19 in wake of Federal Government Shutdown

YORKTOWN, Va., October 14, 2025 — Yorktown Day events at Historic Yorktown and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19 will celebrate America’s decisive 1781 Revolutionary War victory.

On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, townwide events mark the occasion with artillery salutes, interpretive programs, special exhibitions and experiential events.

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 October 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 October 18-19 at various locations in Historic Yorktown.

HONORING YORKTOWN DAY

The annual Yorktown Day commemoration honors the October 19, 1781, victory by allied American and French armies under the command of General George Washington at the Siege of Yorktown. After a nine-day bombardment, British forces under Lt. General Charles Cornwallis requested a cease-fire and then surrendered more than 8,000 soldiers and sailors. As the last major military action of the American Revolution, the victory at Yorktown effectively secured independence for the American colonies following a six-and-a-half-year military struggle.

The modern-day observance of Yorktown Day traces its roots to 1922, when the Daughters of the American Revolution began an annual wreath-laying ceremony, which set the tradition upon which the current Yorktown Day is based. Today, Yorktown Day commemorative events are co-sponsored by the Yorktown Day Association, comprised of 13 civic, patriotic and government organizations.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN

At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, stories of citizens and soldiers during the Revolutionary period unfold daily at the expansive history museum through immersive films, artifact-filled exhibition galleries and living-history interpretation in outdoor re-creations of a Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm.

On October 18-19, Yorktown Victory Celebration interpretive programs will feature artillery demonstrations, military drills and hands-on experiences for visitors to examine cloth dyeing, 18th-century cooking and gardening, surveying and military tactics on land and sea during the Siege at Yorktown. Visitors can enjoy performances by the Fifes and Drums of York Town, encounter a first-person portrayal by Michael Halbert as the Comte de Rochambeau, a French nobleman and general who led the French forces during the Siege of Yorktown, and a talk by Sean Heuvel, Ph.D., author of “Virginia Militia Commanders at Yorktown,” followed by a book signing.

“Fresh Views of the American Revolution” Special Exhibition, debuting October 18, commemorates America’s 250th anniversary through new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial and engaging community art programs. A special exhibition tour will take place at 12 p.m. October 18.

The special event and exhibition are included with general admission, and residents of York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency. On October 19, free admission will be offered to active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and up to three direct family members with military identification. Event activities are presented in part by the York County Arts Commission and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. Annual Fund.

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, its museum shop and café, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and located on 200 Water Street in Yorktown. It is administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a partner of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. For more information, Call (757) 253-4838 or visit jyfmuseums.org/yorktown-victory-celebration.

HISTORIC YORKTOWN

Throughout the weekend, Historic Yorktown will commemorate America’s triumph over Britain with a variety of programs and activities, including opportunities to sail aboard the Schooner Alliance II at the Riverwalk Landing Piers.

At Yorktown Market Days' Victory Market, October 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., red, white and blue will be on full display with a morning of shopping, entertainment and family fun. Browse handcrafted works from local artisans, including glassware, paintings, woodwork and more, and enjoy an all-American lineup of market favorites, including apples, cookies, meats, oysters and other local delicacies. Event highlights include live music by Corey Pavlovsky, a quilt-making activity for Visit Williamsburg's Great American Birthday Quilt Project, Continental Army photo opportunities, a storytime with George Washington's dog and spy games.

On Saturday, October 18, the U.S. Coast Guard Tracen Ceremonial Band will perform at 2 p.m. at Yorktown & Co. Stage, offering an afternoon of patriotic sounds and powerful performances. Visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, relax in the scenic yard along Main Street, soak in the charm of Historic Yorktown and enjoy gourmet coffee, wine, beer and mouthwatering sweets next door from Mobjack Coffee Roasters and Little York Confectionery. Free and open to the public.

Visitors are encouraged to take the free ADA accessible Yorktown Trolley, with stops throughout town and download the new Visit Yorktown Widget to discover unique restaurants, attractions, events and experiences. For more information, call (757) 890-5900 or visit visityorktown.org.

COLONIAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK YORKTOWN BATTLEFIELD

Programs initially planned for the Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown Battlefield on October 18-19 are on hold during the federal government shutdown. For more information and updates, call (757) 898-2410 or visit nps.gov/colo, call (757) 898-2410 or on social media @ColonialNPS.

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Image Captions/Credits (shown from left to right)

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will present artillery firings and interpretive programs on Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19, during its “Yorktown Victory Celebration” event. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation photo.

A new special exhibition, “Fresh Views of the American Revolution,” will debut on October 18 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, honors America’s 250th anniversary through new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial and engaging community art programs. Shown is “British Surrender at Yorktown, 1781, Oscar de Mejo, 1974,” Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation YG86.3.12.

At Yorktown Market Days' Victory Market on October 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., visitors can enjoy shopping, entertainment and family fun and purchase a commemorative “Huzzah!” T-shirt for America’s 250th anniversary. York County Tourism photo.

Media Contacts

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation)
Tracy Perkins, (757) 253-4114 or tracy.perkins@jyf.virginia.gov

Visit Yorktown (York County Economic &Tourism Development)
Deirdre Roesch, (757) 890-3386 or deirdre.roesch@yorkcounty.gov

Yorktown Battlefield (Colonial National Historical Park)
Sandra Tennyson, (757) 897-4598 or sandra_tennyson@nps.gov