2020 Events for the 400th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Mayflower

More will be published about these and other events in the upcoming issues of the Mayflower Quarterly magazine published by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.  There will be lots of chances for you to participate in family friendly activities.  See the January 2020 Mayflower Quarterly and the GSMD website https://themayflowersociety.org  for reservations and event information.  These spaces will fill up quickly (just like many hotels in Plymouth are already full for September 2020), so plan your 2020 calendar now!  This will be an excellent chance to take a family vacation to Plymouth, Massachusetts to share these once in a lifetime events with your family, children, and grandchildren.

NOTE:  See this UPDATE from May 28, 2020 with a revised schedule:
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/05/updated-mayflower-400-schedule.html 

Mayflower 400 Events

January 1^st, 2020 – The Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California will feature a float sponsored by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.  See the California Mayflower Society website for more information https://www.camayflower.org/ about special spectator seating, volunteer opportunities to help decorate the float, or donate to the project. 

April 24, 2020 – POSTPONED Opening Ceremony at the Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

May 14 - 19 - POSTPONED Mayflower Sails 2020, the Mayflower II will make her maiden voyage to the Charlestown Navy Yard following her 3 year restoration. The 6 day, 5 night maritime festival will comemorate the 400th anniversary of the historic voyage. www.sailingmayflower.org  

May 23 - POSTPONED  The Mayflower II opens to the public in her home berth at Plymouth, Massachusetts

June 27 – 28 -  CANCELLED Maritime Salute in Plymouth Harbor with a regatta of wooden ships and other boats.  There will be a lobster bake on the waterfront.  Mayflower II will be saluted.  https://www.plymouth400inc.org/event/official-maritime-salute-to-the-400th-anniversary/  

August 1 – POSTPONED TO 2021 Wampanoag Ancestors Walk – members of the Wampanoag tribes of Massachusetts will march through downtown Plymouth with placards with the names of the original 69 villages of the Wampanoag Nation.  They will stop at designated sites to pay homage to Massasoit and King Philip.  There will be a drum ceremony and reception.  https://www.plymouth400inc.org/event/wampanoag-ancestors-walk/  

September 10 – 14, the Mayflower II will visit Provincetown, Massachusetts   https://provincetown400.com/2020-events  

September 12 – Recreation of the Signing of the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown, welcome ceremony for the Mayflower II.  There will be a Mayflower Gala, and historical re-enactments.

September 13 – Memorial Service, Wreath Laying, ticketed luncheon and concert for descendants in Provincetown

September 14 – Sunrise Toast and Bon Voyage to Mayflower II as she sails from Provincetown back to Plymouth

Sept 14 – CANCELLED (Possible 2021?) The Governor of Massachusetts will hold an Official State House Salute to the 400^th Commemoration.  The GSMD members will perform a Pilgrim’s Progress from the Park Plaza Hotel to the statehouse steps. Ticketed Gala at the State House.

  https://www.plymouth400inc.org/event/official-state-house-salute-to-the-400th-anniversary/ 

Sept. 15 – 18 – CANCELLED  The GSMD Mayflower Congress in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

  https://www.themayflowersociety.org/2020/item/373-2020-commemoration-events-and-mayflower-congress

September 17, the US Post Office will release the commemorative US stamp with a picture of the Mayflower. There will be a ceremony in Plymouth, next to the Mayflower at her home berth on the waterfront. 

   

Sept. 19 – 20 –  CANCELLED - some elements moved to 2021 The Embarkation Festival – A cultural and arts festival honoring the traditions, food and music of both the original Pilgrim settlers, Wampanoag people, and the diverse immigrants who followed.   https://www.plymouth400inc.org/event/embarkation-festival/  

Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 – Indigenous History Conference and Powwow hosted by Bridgewater State University.  https://www.plymouth400inc.org/event/indigenous-history-conference-powwow/   

Thanksgiving Week 2020

Nov. 20 concerts in Plymouth, Massachusetts and Boston, Massachusetts

Nov. 21  Thanksgiving parade

Nov. 22 “One Small Candle” Ceremony at the Mayflower House, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Eve, Illuminate Thanksgiving spectacle in Plymouth, Massachusetts

2021 Events

April 23, 2021 - Remembrance Ceremony - local dignitaries and state officials will remember the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people of 1620 for their contributions and sacrifices. Details to be announced.

May 2021,  Rescheduled Wampanoag Ancestors Walk. Final date and more details to come soon.

June 25 -27, Official Maritime Salute to the 400th Anniversary.  Originally planned for June 2020. An extra day has been added to kick off the weekend.

September 7 - 12, Tentative, The 400th Anniversary of the First Thanksgiving and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants General Board of Assistants meeting in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  This will include a dedication ceremony for the bronze statue of William Bradford.  

For the Truly Curious:

The General Society of Mayflower Descendants:  https://www.themayflowersociety.org/  

Plymouth 400 website  https://www.plymouth400inc.org/

Revision to schedule:   https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/plymouth-400-announces-revised-schedule-for-anniversary-events/2131738/?fbclid=IwAR0tMSJ7mb3EcVQOCVRznrQHsp90FD_eHLIzR3x5FJ6tKJ_pNVhNpxH7UZc 

Click here for a list of events in the United Kingdom:
https://www.mayflower400uk.org/events/         

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/Plymouth-400--Mayflower-Sails-2020-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-559390461.html   

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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "2020 Events for the 400th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Mayflower", Nutfield Genealogy, posted October 8, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/10/2020-events-for-400th-anniversary-of.html: accessed [access date]).