PLYMOUTH, MA— Plymouth 400, Inc. will host its first Illuminate event this November 21 at 4pm in downtown Plymouth to launch the 6-year countdown to the historic 400th anniversary commemoration of the 1620 Mayflower voyage, the landing of the Pilgrims, their relationship with the Native Wampanoag people and the founding of Plymouth Colony; events that significantly shaped the building of America. Illuminate 2014 will “illuminate” the inspirational message of thanks and gratitude that accompanies Thanksgiving, a holiday that highlights the unique relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. This year’s inaugural Illuminate event will kick off America’s Hometown Thanksgiving events at the base of Cole’s Hill with a candle lighting ceremony with musical performances and motivational speakers, and continue on Main Street and Court Street with an evening street festival from 5pm-7pm.
“We are excited to kick off our journey to the 400th anniversary of Plymouth Colony in 2020 with the first annual Illuminate event,” said Michele Pecoraro, Executive Director of Plymouth 400, Inc. “Illuminate 2014 will not only be an evening of family-friendly entertainment in downtown Plymouth, but will also be educational and inspirational, highlighting the importance of gratitude and the spirit of giving. We want to inspire the community to illuminate their lives as well as the lives of others. With our local partners, America’s Hometown Thanksgiving, and our international partners in Plymouth, England, we are excited to bring this universal event to life this year in our community and beyond.”
Communities across the US and beyond are being invited to join virtually using the new Plymouth 400 Illuminate app to create their own Illuminate 2014 moment. This mobile app, sponsored by PartyLite, will engage participants in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Plymouth, England, and across the globe by encouraging them to connect with others through the app’s social media photo-sharing feature. The app will also give users the ability to light a virtual candle to illuminate their own community, wherever they may be.
Plymouth, Massachusetts’ Illuminate 2014 will begin at 4PM with the candle-lighting ceremony at the base of Cole’s Hill. The ceremony will include words from Senate President Therese Murray and acclaimed speaker, author and international stress management and humorist Loretta LaRoche; and performances by the United States Air Force’s touring performance ensemble Tops in Blue and Plymouth North High School’s a cappella group Northern Lights.
Illuminate 2014 will continue with a street festival on Main and Court Streets from 5pm—7pm where visitors and locals can enjoy live art and music, special offers at shops and restaurants, and more. The street festival will be a celebration of arts, music, culture, and history and will add another free, family-friendly component to Plymouth’s Thanksgiving celebrations.
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the historic 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage, the landing of the Pilgrims, their relationship with the Native Wampanoag people and the founding of Plymouth Colony; events that significantly shaped the building of America. The Plymouth 400 commemoration will honor America’s story of exploration, innovation, self-governance and thanksgiving, the legacies sparked by these historic events that continue today as cornerstones of our nation. The events and programs to be produced by Plymouth 400, Inc. will engage audiences in the US and beyond with participation in the millions across communities, and include participation by global leaders, international musical and stage artists, veterans, descendants, and youth. These world-class programs and events will include live televised events, festivals, historical and cultural exhibitions, and educational programming. Events and programs will be funded by public funds for education and tourism and private partnerships with select national sponsors and corporate leaders and leave a legacy that will live beyond the commemoration dates.
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