York County outlines VA250 schedule: Dunmore commemoration this weekend, larger Yorktown 'Sail' festival in 2026

York County tourism and cultural staff told supervisors on June 3 that the county will host multiple signature events as part of the VA250 statewide commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

City and tourism staff highlighted three near-term items: a recent statewide participation moment (the "Two Lights for Tomorrow" event) in which Yorktown had very high per-capita participation; a Lord Dunmore commemoration this coming weekend with reenactments and a mobile museum display at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown; and a planned "Before the Siege" program and larger events tied to the national 250th timeline.

Major upcoming highlight: a multi-day Sail (tall-ship and naval vessel) festival in June 2026, anchored by Yorktown as an affiliate harbor. Tourism staff said they expect naval, military and tall-ship participation, free deck tours, sail parades and land-based programming across Yorktown’s historic sites and waterfront. The county will coordinate with the National Park Service, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Colonial Seaport Foundation and other partners.

Why it matters: staff framed the VA250 program as a multi-year tourism and civic-engagement effort that will bring national and international vessels and visitors to Yorktown and generate hotel, restaurant and visitor-economy activity. Staff asked supervisors to note event dates and indicated further details (ship confirmations, schedules) will be posted as they are finalized.

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Staff will continue coordination with federal and nonprofit partners and update the board and public as event confirmations are secured.