The Lamplighter
Your Colonial Crossings Newsletter
Spring 2010
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Upcoming Events for
The Historic Triangle
Colonial Williamsburg’s
“The Revolutionary City”
Programs begin 10:00 a.m. daily
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Park opens at 10:00 a.m.
Water Country USA
Public Opening Day May 22, 2010
Park opens at 10:00 a.m.
The First Battle of Manassas
April 17, 2010 - 8:00 a.m.- 6:00.p.m.
Lee Hall Mansion, Newport News, VA
Visit the sites associated with the second
Confederate victory in Virginia during 1861
with historian Michael Moore. All tours leave
from Lee Hall Mansion. Plan to arrive at least
15 minutes early. Bring a bag lunch, drink, and
small cooler. You will be walking a lot. Wear
comfortable walking shoes. Sign up early;
space is limited. Payment is $50/person and is
due no later than 2 weeks before tour. Payment
guarantees your reservation. No refunds 1
week prior to tour. Make checks payable to
Lee Hall Mansion. Mail to: Lee Hall Mansion,
163 Yorktown Road, Newport News, VA
23603.
Virginia War Museum Memorial Day
Ceremony, Victory Arch at 25th Street in
Newport News. May 31, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
Special discount on museum admission
following the ceremony.
Thoroughbred Racing Season
Colonial Downs, I-64 (Exit 214)
May 29 – July 21, 2010
Join in the excitement of horse racing on the
nation’s second-longest dirt track! Don’t miss
the track’s premier event on July 17th, the
Virginia Derby. The nation’s top three year
old turf horses will compete in the 13th
running of the Derby as part of a 14-race day.
Colonial Williamsburg hosts a wide variety of
programs featuring historic re-enactors, plays,
films and concerts. Call 1-800-HISTORY and
check the Daily Schedule upon arrival. All
events noted are subject to change without
notice.
Dear Colonial Crossings Owners,
In the wake of one of the snowiest winters Virginia has ever
experienced, most of us are eagerly anticipating the first blooms
of Spring. We are longing to forget our “cabin fever” and get
out and have some fun! And if you’re looking for thrills and
excitement, look no further than just a few miles down the road
from Colonial Crossings to beautiful Busch Gardens
Williamsburg. The European-themed amusement park is a 350-
acre pristinely-manicured wonder that is a perennial favorite of
park goers and critics alike. The National Amusement Park
Historical Association has voted BGW the “Most Beautiful
Theme Park” for 19 consecutive years, a feat backed up by
Theme Park Magazine’s Reader’s Poll.
The park leads visitors through several
European countries, each with its own
distinct personality and charm. For
example, France takes visitors back
to a time of street cafes, provincial
architecture and street artisans. But
make no mistake, this park is not for
the faint of heart, as rustic charm
meets 21st century technology in
every country. France features Griffon,
a twisting, 205-foot thrill ride that claims the title of the world’s
tallest floorless rollercoaster. It’s just one of the many
adrenaline-junkie experiences awaiting park guests. Other
favorites include Germany’s Curse of DarKastle (loaded with
stunning special effects) and Italy’s Apollo’s Chariot, a
hypercoaster that plummets guests 825 feet, more than any
other steel rollercoaster in the world! BGW is always looking
for ways to improve its guests’ experience,
and 2010 debuts Europe in the Air, a high-
tech simulator that transports guests across
the terrain and seas of Europe. The park
also hosts a full schedule of special events
and concerts such as Glory at the Gardens,
a June series showcasing the finest in
Contemporary Christian music, and the
wildly popular summer concert series in
July and August. BGW will host the ASA
Action Sports World Tour in May; guests
will thrill to the skills of the world’s best
in BMX, in - line skating and skateboard.
And don’t forget October’s blood curdling, heart-pounding
main event Howl-o-Scream! The season will wrap up with
Christmas Town: a Busch Gardens Celebration in November.
It may just be warming up in Virginia’s historic Tidewater area,
but Busch Gardens is ready to provide your family a great day’s
entertainment in a world-class setting. This is just part of what
makes the Historic Triangle a unique place; where else can you
spend your day on thrill rides, then have dinner with a Founding
Father before settling into a comfortable night’s rest?
 Why Colonial Crossings of Williamsburg?
Everyone wants value for their vacation dollar and a sense of satisfaction that they made a wise choice.
Our goal at Colonial Crossings is to provide that value to our owners, along with the little touches that make
each vacation special. Please peruse the following benefits, special offers and events to help you plan your
next return to your home away from home in America’s Hometown:
* Busch Gardens and Water Country USA tickets may be purchased at the reservations desk at a discount
for CCW Owners staying in-house.
*Odd /Even Owners... "Temporarily transfer" your week from one year to the next for a small administrative
fee. If you can't vacation in your "fixed year" you won't lose your vacation week.
* CCW owners may rent one night or more at a 50% discount of the nightly room rate. You can either use it
or trade it (7 night min) thru 2011 and have up to 2 years to travel.
* Several merchant discounts are now available to CCW owners in the Williamsburg area. An almost
endless variety of shopping, dining and sight seeing options are yours while saving $100's on your
vacation.
* Private Motor Coach Tours to the Williamsburg Winery complete with guided tour and lunch. Visit
Virginia’s largest winery and rustic old – world village for a tasting of internationally-acclaimed vintages.
* Private Motor Coach Tours to the Norfolk waterfront and its showpiece, the battleship Wisconsin. This
huge ship was commissioned during World War II and served in every conflict through the Persian Gulf.
Visitors are amazed at the size of the vessel and enjoy visiting neighboring Nauticus, an interactive
maritime museum.
* Internal exchanges: spend 8 days and 7 nights at Club Land’or in the sunny Bahamas for only $99, plus a
$100 food credit.
Upcoming special events include (all events TBA on our website www.ColonialCrossings.com ):
* Bring a Friend Casino Weekend
* Owners Jubilee Weekend- great dining, door prizes & other gifts
* Owners Golf Extravaganza Weekend
*Western Weekend with pony rides, Bar-B-Q cookout and door prizes

Upcoming Tidewater Events

March 1 -31 Women’s History Month Colonial Williamsburg
March 20-21 Military Through the Ages Jamestown Settlement
April 1-30 Religion Month Celebration Colonial Williamsburg
April 11-12 64th Annual Garden Symposium Colonial Williamsburg
May 1 9th Annual Spring Antique Show Colonial Williamsburg
May 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 ASA Action Sports World Tour Busch Gardens Williamsburg
May 15 Jamestown 403rd Anniversary Day Jamestown Settlement
May 15 Armed Forces Day Toy Show-VA War Museum Newport News
May 29-July 21 Colonial Downs Thoroughbred Racing Season New Kent
May 29-30 Civil War Weekend Yorktown
May 31 Memorial Day: Honoring Veterans Colonial Williamsburg
May 31 Memorial Day Ceremony Yorktown
June 4,11,18,25 Shagging on the Riverwalk Beach Music Series Yorktown
June 6,13,20,27 Glory at the Gardens Christian Music Festival Busch Gardens Williamsburg
June 11-13 34th Annual Harborfest Norfolk
June 12 8th Annual Sumer Celebration Wine Festival Lee Hall Plantation, Newport News
June 26 Virginia Indian Heritage Day Jamestown Settlement
June 28-July 1 Civil War Children’s Camp Endview Plantation, Newport News
July 3-4 Yorktown Victory Center Liberty Celebration Yorktown
July 4 Independence Day Celebration Colonial Williamsburg
July 9-11 11th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival Hampton
July 10-11, 17-18, Summer Concert Series at Busch Gardens Busch Gardens Williamsburg
24-25, 31-Aug 1 (scheduled performers TBA)
July 16,23,30, Aug 6 Shagging on the Riverwalk Beach Music Series Yorktown
July 23-24 28th Annual Norfolk Jazz Festival Norfolk
August 7 9th Annual Classics Car Show Lee Hall Plantation, Newport News
 Breaking News From The Historic Triangle
Springtime is a beautiful time in America’s hometown, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Daily special
programs abound as the streets of the Colonial capital come alive with walking tours, chance meetings with
Founding Fathers and ordinary 18th century citizens going about their lives.
This year, Easter falls on April 4. Make Colonial Williamsburg a part of your family’s Easter holiday with
special programs. Check the Colonial Williamsburg “This Week” weekly program schedule when you arrive
for specific programs and times.
On Memorial Day (May 31) a modern service will honor military veterans who died serving their country.
A procession with Fife and Drum support will begin at the Palace and proceed to Bruton Parish Church and
the French gravesite. Prayers will be given, wreaths will be placed and musket volleys will be fired at the
Palace and churchyard. A brief commemorative service with musket and cannon volleys will take place at
the French gravesite.
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Along the James River on Route 5 lies stately Shirley Plantation, founded in 1613 and home to the Carter
family. Virginia’s oldest plantation hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt (Saturday, April 3rd at 2:30 pm) as a
nod to the arrival of Spring. Families have the opportunity to start their own Easter traditions on the grounds
of America’s oldest family-run business (begun in 1638). The Carters note that this event is BYOB (Bring
Your Own Basket)! The top three egg finders will receive a prize from the children’s section of the Shirley
Gift Shop. The hunt is open to children ages 3 – 10 and is included with the regular price of admission
($11/adults, $7.50/children). Admission includes a guided house tour and all children must be accompanied
by an adult.

May is a musical month in Virginia Beach, Virginia. May 7 – 8 brings the PANorama Caribbean Music
Fest, a musical adventure set to the soothing sounds of steel pan music. The festival’s casual atmosphere
appeals to the island community and people of all ages who are intrigued by the unique sounds and style of
steel drum music, and gives patrons the opportunity to savor some of the most flavorful food imaginable.
The festival features a steel drum band competition with over 20 high school, college and community bands
from throughout the United States participating. The American Bus Association ranks the event in its Top
100. Admission is free to the public.
Beach Music Weekend follows on May 13 - 16 and brings back dancing under the stars to the “oldies” with
a series of free concerts! Featured performers include The Embers and Band of Oz ; the event will be held
along the beach at 30th Street.
The World Music Drum Festival will be held on Saturday, May 22 at 17th Street Park and features
amazing percussion ensembles and performers. Co-produced by the Virginia Arts Festival and BeachEvents,
the World Music Drum Festival features virtuoso international percussion ensembles showcasing a range of
cultural genres including jazz, rock, world (Afro-Cuban), African, Kodo, American Indian and classical.
Hardee's Latin Fest hits the beach on the weekend of June 11-12. 24th Street Park will come alive with the
high intensity of Latin rhythms, sure to have you dancing under the stars to Salsa, Meringue and Jazz.
Additional activities include the Zumba Dance Competition, in which individuals and couples compete in a
variety of Latin dance styles, and the Domino Competition in the Park. Both of these events take place on
Saturday, and are open to public participation. The event is free and open to the public.
 Land’or Williamsburg, LLC
200 English Garden Way
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Captain John Smith
Colonial Crossings of Williamsburg
A Land’or Resort:
200 English Garden Way
Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 941-1540
www.colonialcrossings.com
Think YOU’RE Happy to See Spring Coming?
The original colonists of Jamestown, Virginia came to America for a
variety of reasons, chief among them the quest for gold and religious
freedom. The colony was established in 1607 and became the first
permanent English settlement in the New World (earlier than the
“Pilgrims” of Plymouth Colony fame, who were actually trying to
come to Virginia). Since the settlement was established as a
commercial venture, many of the original all-male colonists were
gentlemen who knew nothing of surviving in the harsh, mosquito-
ridden swampland and preferred looking for gold instead of storing
food for the upcoming winter. The unfortunate result was that most
of the original Englishmen died the first brutal winter from disease
and starvation. Not learning from their mistakes, the colony suffered
so badly during the Starving Time of 1609-1610 that only 61 of the
500 or so settlers survived the winter. The loss of their leader Captain
John Smith to injury, wars with the surrounding Powhatan Indian
Confederacy (remember Pocahontas?) and plain ineptitude led the
survivors to abandon the colony in the spring of 1610. Incredibly, a
few miles downriver they met a supply ship commanded by Lord De
La Warr (as in, “the state of Delaware”) and turned around. They
began working the soil in earnest and one settler, John Rolfe, married
Pocahontas and sold tobacco as a cash crop. Jamestown survived
many more setbacks to eventually became a thriving commercial
center until Williamsburg came into prominence. Today’s recreated
Jamestown Settlement is a fascinating look into our nation’s infancy
and is just a short drive from Colonial Crossings. Your family will
love exploring the Indian village, interactive museum, costumed re-
enactors, fort and three replica sailing ships. And yes, there is a cafe!