|
|
|
|
NOTE: If you have reached this page from a search engine, be sure to click here to discover resources about thousands of wonderful family-friendly places! Updates to Kids Love Virginia - 2006 Edition Changes: NW – Scottsville. BATTEAU NIGHT. Please DO NOT phone the number listed. This is a private residence and not an information number. Just go to the festival’s website: www.batteaufestival.com - listed. The Scottsville City Council number is: (434) 286-9267. NW –
Lexington, LIME KILN THEATRE (pg. 39) no longer produces the wonderful musical
“Stonewall Country”. Additional Information: AMERICA’S 400TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – INSPIRATION AND FUN IN WILLIAMSBURG SE – Williamsburg. (800) 368-6511 or www.VisitWilliamsburg.com. Virginia’s Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown offers adventure at every turn in the place where America began and independence was won. This year at Williamsburg, living history takes a radical spin with the introduction of Revolutionary City. The 2 hour “moving” drama is conversational gossip and emotional dialog in the climate leading up to and during the American Revolution. An area about the size of a city block is closed for two hours (Spring/Fall 2:30-4:30pm; Summer 10:30am-12:30pm) for the interactive program focused on the crucial transition from subjects to citizens. Staged as a play, improvising a bit as they walk among the audience, re-enactors eventually ask observers whether they want to break free from England and cheer! Huzzah! 35 actors portray people who lived in Williamsburg, from Lord Dunmore, who announces that he has dismissed the House of Burgesses to a slave, named Hannah, who can’t understand liberty when her master took her son from her. A horseman may deliver news of battles or the kids may get to march down the street in a drill with militia. Would you become a rebel? (Note: the beginning and ending parts of the drama are interesting for kids – otherwise, its long and the kids can’t see or hear clearly. Also, there is no seating – this is a walk along tour). Maybe halfway thru, grab a bite at Chawnings Tavern – even an old-fashioned root beer and pretzel roll (to feel Colonial, my boy). We have pictures! By the way, the best time to visit with kids (and pay admission) is mid-June thru summer. That’s when the hands-on fun is beefed up and the interactive characters abundant. Any other time of year, check ahead (online) and be sure there’s a festival or at least three kids interactives going on the day you plan to visit. Parents will enjoy the park any time of year but your kids may become weary unless activity engages them throughout the day. At Historic Jamestowne, the Archaearium (literally, “a place for archaeology”) has just opened. The new facility showcases artifacts and findings of the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological excavation that has uncovered the site of the original 1607 James Fort. Under unique glass structures, visitors are able to see excavated areas of Jamestown’s last Statehouse underneath their feet, and view re-created 17th century landscapes through virtual viewers overlooking the site. The skeleton room is really interesting. See what detective work goes into new “finds.” Try to figure out clues to determine JR’s death (a skeleton named the Jamestown Recovery dude). A new Visitor Center is also being readied at Historic Jamestowne for the celebration in 2007. The facility includes museum exhibits, audio-visual programs, and personal interpretive services. Interactive museum exhibits will tell the story of Jamestown’s 92 years as capital of Virginia, including the arrival and melding of three cultures – the Virginia Indians, English and Africans. An audio-visual “immersion” experience will provide a multi-media overview of Jamestown’s rich history and personalities in a 180-degree theater setting. Any time you visit, we highly recommend the ranger led tours. It’s a quick study of the fascinating and true stories about John Smith and Pocahontas. Afterwards, observe the excavations going on and maybe do a cartwheel in the fort yard, just like Pocahontas used to do. All the ground you walk on is historic dirt formed from the earth and artifacts left behind… As the commemorations surrounding the 400th anniversary of Jamestown nears, the Jamestown Settlement living history museum will unveil the new exhibition galleries (including 3D life-size structures) and a new introductory film to tell the story of 17th-century Virginia in the context of Powhatan Indian, English and western central African cultures. At Yorktown Battlefield, visitors will find enhanced interpretive programming in time for the celebration of the 225th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Victory at Yorktown October 19-22, 2006. New enhancements include an interpretive trail around Surrender Field, with signage, an audio recording and artwork of the surrender. “The Legacy of Yorktown: Virginia Beckons,” a new long-term exhibition opening in October at the Yorktown Victory Center, will examine how people from many different cultures – those in Virginia before the 1607 founding of Jamestown and those who arrived later – shaped a new society. With an emphasis on 1607 to 1830, the exhibit will explore economic, political and religious motivations for immigration and how people from Europe, Africa, Asia and other places in America were changed by and shaped their new environment. A new emphasis on the Declaration of Independence as a radical document that inspired decisive action and links the theme of choosing a path – siding with the Americans or British or remaining neutral – with stories told in the museum’s “Witnesses to Revolution” Gallery. Just finished studying American Presidents in school? You’ve got to schedule a visit to PRESIDENTS PARK – where learning is larger than life. It looks bizarre from the road but wait til you’re inside the park! This was a wonderful surprise and all the kids touring were engaged. An excellent reinforcement of American History Presidents and Time Periods described as National Defining Moments. If you’re looking for additional ways to jump start engagement, look no further than the Trivia Test found in the park’s brochure. By the way, school tours always include a Trivia Quest Scavenger Hunt sheet to complete. (admission discounts found in local tourism booklets). In greater Williamsburg, after history, fun can take many forms. Forecast predicting rain or cool temps? Who cares? WE’re staying at GREAT WOLF LODGE. Great Wolf Lodge is a full-service resort designed to capture the atmosphere and adventure of the northwoods. Serving as Virginia’s year-round Family Resort includes over 300 family-sized suites, a 75,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, a spacious outdoor pool, a spa, a huge Camping themed restaurant, a confectionery café, and a huge arcade with ticket redemption (only if you get water-logged and need to stay on land!). What you’ll notice as parents is the casual resort layout that is all clean, cozy and all family. Although they do have a hot tub area for adults only, everything else is about the kids (or the kid in you)! Our kids especially loved the Gigantic indoor wave pool and water toy areas. Both had comfortable water temps. We liked the family tube slide but it was scary being in total darkness the whole time – best for the adventuresome craving an edge to normal water rides. The Cub Club activity sheet is given to each patron upon check-in. Many of the all day activities are really fun for the young ones and the evening storytime by the giant fireplace is something to look forward to. Want a real treat and lots of space? Try the Loft Fireplace Suite. It sleeps 6-8 and the loft offers parents some privacy. If it’s nice outside, try Williamsburg’s world-class adventure park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Debuting at the park in 2006 is Emerald Beat, an all-new, powerful dance production celebrating Irish heritage. In addition, the European-themed adventure park is taking Curse of DarKastle to a new intensity (maybe for a daring Dad – too intense for kids). Pirates 4D is another favorite show. Outdoor waterplay is on a large scale at Water Country USA – it’s the largest outdoor waterpark in the mid-Atlantic. Our favorites there: the Wave Pool and Lazy River encouragement life jackets vs. traditional tubes for floating. Both rides were huge and the life jackets really work wonderfully! The water and grounds are super clean and the staff very friendly, too. Seasonal & Special Events: SE – AMERICA’S ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND. Historic Jamestowne. The 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown is observed with proposed events to include: visits of the President of the United States, the Royal Family of Great Britain and other world leaders. Commemorative legislative session (VA General Assembly, Members of Congress, Members of Parliament, Governors and legislators of the original 13 colonies, Governors and legislators of states that were once part of Virginia). Major concert featuring commissioned symphony plus European, Native American and African American music. Virginia Arts Festival at Jamestown, Williamsburg and other Hampton Roads Cities.
|
|
|
Send mail to
info@kidslovepublications.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
.htm_cmp_blank110_vbtn.gif){kind=small}
