Plough: St. George’s Celebrates Its Birthday
The town of St. George’s is getting set to celebrate its 402nd birthday on Friday, July 11 from 6.00pm to 10.00pm, with an evening of tours, music, reenactments, and film, along with an evening tattoo by the Bermuda Regiment Band at 9.00pm.
Titled “Plough: A Summer’s Evening in the Olde Towne,” the event is supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Corporation of St. George’s, and St. George’s Business and Heritage Partners.
Volunteer organiser Kristin White said, “We often acknowledge 1609 as the year Bermuda began, and definitely the stories of the survivors of Sea Venture shipwreck who were able to thrive in Bermuda until their departure in 1610 was a catalyst.
“And so, in July 1612, a community of people arrived on a ship called The Plough and settled in St. George’s. Four hundred and two years later, here we are.”
Ms. White says that the goal is to celebrate all that makes Bermuda’s UNESCO World Heritage Town unique and special; St. George’s is the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the New World.
“The night will include special reenactments and tours at museums and other historical sites, including Globe Hotel, Mitchell House, and State House, plus events in stores, actors roaming about the town in period dress, and a closing performance by the Bermuda Regiment Band and the Bermuda Island Pipe Band at 9.00pm. A $10 wristband will get you access to the entire event.”
“Earlier this year, we visited Colonial Williamsburg and saw that, while folks could walk throughout the town freely, they needed a purchased pass to visit special exhibits and performances. And, because we need to raise money for the museums in St. George’s and cover some of the Plough costs, we decided we’d do a similar thing.
“Everyone should feel free to come and walk around the town, go into the stores, and see the performances that will be on the street. But to access the museums, you will need the $10 wristband. And the net proceeds from the wristbands will be split between all the museums.”
The wristbands will be for sale in St. George’s at the World Heritage Centre, Mitchell House, and at the St. George’s Visitor Information Centre on King Square. They can also be purchased in Hamilton at the Visitor Information Centre at Albouy’s Point ferry terminal.
“People talk about St. George’s being ‘dead’, and definitely the changes to the tourism sector have affected us here in the East End. But we are staying optimistic. Entrepreneurs, museums, the Corporation of St. George’s, The Bermuda Tourism Authority, and community groups are banding together to create events and programmes to bring residents and visitors to the town.
“So for Plough, we are celebrating our town, and our ‘never die’ spirit that has kept us going for over 400 years.”
For more information, visit their Facebook page or call Kristin White at 705.1838.
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