Participants
Musicians
Albemarle
Pipe and Drum Corps will perform on Friday, November 16th in the parade along
the Mall.
Howard Markham and Michael Dunn will provide period music on harpsichord and violin at the Ball Friday November
16th.
John DuRant will play and lead in singing of folk songs of the period as he portrays tavern-keeper William Michie of Michie Tavern.
Kim Doerr will provide violin music at various times of the festival.
Dancers
The Cuckoo Assembly Dancers led by Ward and Mona Harkrader will perform at the Ball on November
16th. This group specializes in English Country Dancing. In addition to performing during the ball, they will also teach dances, so come to the ball for some fun!
The Monroe-Highland Scottish Country Dancers
The Court Square Dancers
Old Michie Dancers
O'Roarke-Tighe School of Irish Dance
Military reenactors
Be sure to stop by the soldiers' encampments at Court Square Nov 16,17. See how the soldiers of the Revolutionary War lived and don't miss out on the multiple drills and musket and cannon firings. Late Saturday Nov 17 they will reenact the British attack on the city. The reenactor units scheduled to participate this year include:
 American Forces Albemarle County Battalion Seventh Virginia Regiment Brooke’s Company of the Calvert Militia |
 Crown and German Forces Convention Army Regiment Maryland Loyalist Battalion 4th Battalion of Royal Artillery |
Craftsmen and Craftswomen
A number of craftsmen and craftswomen will be displaying their works at the festival, including a blacksmith, woodworker, candlemaker, spinner and weaver, and a colonial doctor.
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
Terry Burkhalter will conduct these along the streets of historic downtown Charlottesville for a small fee. $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Nov 17th only.
Children’s games (many from the period)
Dennis McDowell and others from Grace Covenant Church will lead these Nov 17 & 18. Prizes for winners.
Actors
Professional and experienced amateur performers coming from outside the area will be found at the different venues throughout the weekend:
- James Manship will portray George Washington
- John Douglas Hall will portray James Madison
- Tom Nelson will portray Thomas Nelson
- Antoinette Brennan will portray Mildred Walker
- Dick Johnson will portray Benjamin Harrison and Henry Fry
- Darrell Bailey will portray Patrick Henry
- Jim Hendry wil portray Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe
- Shelley Hendry will portray Martha Jefferson and Dolley Madison
- Daniel Schleuter will portray a Revolutionary officer
- Francis Deane will portray a Revolutionary officer
Director, Bernard Hankins
Actors: Kevin Finnegan, Doug Webb, Stephen McDowell, Sharon Shelton, Jon Sharp, Kevin Grubbs, Brian Shelton, Matthew Maynard, Josh Yanov, Sarah Morangello, Michael Lusk, Matthew Lusk, Kim Doerr, Lindsay Quinn, Joshua Bliss, Dennis McDowell, Mary McDowell, Mark Beliles, and many other extras.
If you or your organization would like to participate to next year's Festival, please email us, or phone us at (434) 249-4032.
© 2007 Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival