PLYMOUTH, MA (PRWEB) OCTOBER 22, 2016 – 2020 will mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower and, in the first of many events leading up to that year, members of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants will gather in Plymouth on November 19 for the Plymouth 400 ‘Illuminate Thanksgiving’ program.
Led by Pilgrim William Bradford, members dressed in Pilgrim attire will walk from the Mayflower Society House to Hedge House on the waterfront where an inspirational program filled with live music, illuminated art, and more will occur. A GSMD member who is a proven descendant of Governor William Bradford will read Bradford’s famous “One Small Candle” quote during the program.
The descendants will then return to the Mayflower Society House front lawn where they will conduct a brief service of remembrance for the Mayflower passengers who traveled to the New World in 1620. The tribute will include 102 luminaries lit in commemoration of our Pilgrim ancestors and their accomplishments. General public is welcome.
“The Mayflower Society invites visitors and guests to join the procession to and from the event,” said Lea Sinclair Filson, Governor General. “Families visiting Plymouth will create lasting memories that make Thanksgiving more meaningful.”
A full day of activities in Plymouth will delight visitors and locals. A Thanksgiving parade takes place at 11am with festive shopping along Court Street throughout the day. The Mayflower Society House will be open to the public for tours from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The ‘Illuminate Thanksgiving’ event takes place at Hedge House, located at 126 Water Street. Historic Plymouth downtown will illuminate windows across the area to add a magical effect to the anniversary event.
“We welcome visitors to the Mayflower Society House at 4 Winslow Street,” said Dr. Walter Powell, Executive Director. “It is important to us that the story of the Mayflower pilgrims’ importance as founders of America is remembered by all.”
Partners in Lieden, the Netherlands and in Plymouth, England will mirror the ‘Illuminate Thanksgiving’ ceremony in those countries and will also hold commemorative events from now through 2020.
Day at a Glance: http:// America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Weekend – Saturday, November 19, 2016
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Historic Village and Demos – Brewster Gardens
10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies – DCR Pilgrim Memorial Park
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade – Main Street
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – New England Food Fest – DCR Memorial Park
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Wampanoag Education Village – DCR Memorial Park
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Mayflower Society House open for tours – 4 Winslow Street
3:00 p.m. – Gather for procession at Mayflower Society House
3:30 p.m. – Walk to Hedge House for ‘Illuminate Thanksgiving’ event – 126 Water St.
Following event – Memorial Service for Pilgrims – Mayflower Society House
6:30 p.m. – Drum and Bugle Corp Reunion Concert – Memorial Hall
For more information on America’s Hometown Thanksgiving weekend including security, parking, lodging and a detailed schedule of events in Plymouth for Nov. 18-20, visit USAThanksgiving.com
About The Mayflower Society
Founded in 1897, The Mayflower Society, or General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with national headquarters in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Membership requires proof of lineage from one of the passengers who travelled to America on the Mayflower in 1620. Its mission is two-fold: to educate the public about the importance the Pilgrims had on Western civilization; and to maintain the highest standards possible for genealogy research on the lineage of the Pilgrims. The Society operates a genealogy research library at its Plymouth headquarters and publishes the GSMD Silver Books, a series of genealogy books on lineage of the Mayflower passengers; the Mayflower Quarterly Magazine; and The Mayflower Journal. It also operates and offers tours of the historic Mayflower Society House in downtown Plymouth.
