Mayflower II
PLYMOUTH – As families and friends gather Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving, all eyes will soon be on the 2020 commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrim’s Landing in Provincetown and Plymouth.
Plymouth 400 is planning signature events and programs honoring this historic anniversary celebrating America’s story of exploration, innovation, self-governance, religious expression, and Thanksgiving.
“It is not just this one homogenized story of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, and the rest is history,” said Brian Logan, the communications manager for Plymouth 400.
“It’s something that is very deep and personal to different groups of people.”
Events and programs throughout 2020 will include historical and cultural exhibitions, live televised and web events, multi-day festivals, original arts and entertainment collaborations and educational programming and resources.
“It’s about a moment in history that changed the course of the world, which is exactly what happened,” said Michele Pecoraro, the executive director of Plymouth 400.
Provincetown kicked off its 400th anniversary celebration Wednesday night with the lighting of the Pilgrim Monument.
Dozens of Pilgrims spent their first five weeks exploring Cape Cod after landing in Provincetown.
A major attraction during the celebrations will be the Mayflower II.
The replica vessel, which is owned and maintained by Plimoth Plantation, is used as an attraction and educational resource.
A major restoration of the vessel is still being completed and the vessel will depart Mystic, Connecticut in the spring to head back to Plimouth.
The ship, which first launched in 1956, will sail to Provincetown for a week in September 2020.
Signature Plymouth 400 events for the celebration in 2020 include the Commemoration Opening Ceremony on April 24, the Official Maritime Salute to the 400th Anniversary June 27-28, the Wampanoag Ancestors Walk August 1, the State House Salute September 14, the Embarkation Festival September 19-20, the Indigenous History Conference & Powwow October 29, and Illuminate Thanksgiving 2020 November 20-25.
The Provincetown 400 Gala and General Society of Mayflower Descendants Gala are September 12, and the annual lighting of the Pilgrim Monument and fireworks is November 11.
The 400th Anniversary of the first Thanksgiving is in 2021.
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