Dare A250
How Dare County Built a Grassroots Celebration for America’s 250th Anniversary
By Betsy DiJulio
Unlike the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, a highly structured, top-down endeavor by elite delegates of the Continental Congress, the celebration of the signing of it in Dare County 250 years later developed naturally at the grassroots level.
The Dare A250 committee was formed in January of last year in response to a resolution passed by the Dare Country Board of Commissioners the November prior. A part of North Carolina’s statewide America 250 commemoration, the committee is co-chaired by Dorothy Hester, Dare County public information director, and Brenda Shore of the Virginia Dare Chapter of the of the American Revolution (DAR). Representatives from over 20 organizations serve with them on the robust committee, including surrounding town governments, schools and colleges, museums, parks, other cultural institutions, and more.
According to Shore, with no mandates, the committee of representatives from local businesses, groups, and organizations, most of whom are volunteers, generously contributed ideas with the goal of celebrating how Dare helped shape the state and the country. The result was a chain reaction that she describes as “one good deed breeding another.” We want people to “understand that this is a special place,” citing the hope that all who participate will create memories akin to those surrounding America’s bicentennial celebration 40 years ago.
The stated mission and vision of America 250, a national nonpartisan organization, is “to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America 250 will foster shared experiences that sark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.”
Funded by a range of sponsorships and grants from America 250 NC, Dare County, the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, the committee adopted the tagline “Land of Beginnings” in honor of iconic American firsts rooted in Dare County, from the first English settlement to the birthplace of powered flight.
The capstone event was the Dare A250 Faire: Liberty Legacy & Liftoff in the Land of Beginnings. On April 18, some 5,000 to 7,000 community members celebrated together on the streets of downtown Manteo during a free, full-day patriotic festival. This event was modeled after Colonial American “faires” or markets, c. 1700s, not to be confused with Renaissance Faires and their embrace of 16th century European knights, queens, and fantasy elements.
In 18th century America, these vibrant community events inspired by English fairs had both commercial and social underpinnings. They served as important mercantile centers for imported goods, local produce, and artisan crafts, while also featuring food, competitions—greased pole climbing, anyone?—and entertainment from strolling balladeers to acrobats, magicians, and puppeteers.
In Manteo, booths overflowed with food from local restaurants and arts and crafts and demonstrations provided by non-profit organizations, while storytellers captivated crowds at Pioneer Theater, costumed characters activated the streets, and a boat parade skimmed along the shore, courtesy Roanoke Island Yacht Club. Two stages were the site of more entertainment with lively competitions peppered throughout. Late in the afternoon, the focus shifted to Roanoke Island Festival Park for culminating musical performances, including a multi-media community choir concert.
The committee has met monthly—and will continue at least through July 4—to initiate and manage what American colonists might have referred to as a “muckle” of programs. Winners of a student art and essay competition were announced at the Faire, but the committee also nurtured and funded a range of creative educational initiatives in the schools such as the planting of a garden of what would have been grown in 1776. In addition, any group or organization was invited to, as Hester described, “brand their new or existing event as an A250” by submitting it to the events calendar using a simple online form.
The Dare A250 Passport Program commenced on January 5. This self-guided experience invites residents and visitors alike to visit 13 sites of historical significance in the County, scan a QR Code, and complete a brief digital form in order to earn a digital stamp on their passport. As Shore noted, this immersive approach to learning about the county’s “lasting” contributions to American history “outlasts” the immediate celebration.
Hester’s hope for the overall commemoration is that it serves as a “bright spot,” helping to illuminate a deeper appreciation of America’s history while strengthening community pride in this region’s identity, culture, and role in the narrative of our nascent nation.
For more information, including a list of events, historical photos and information, ways to share your story, and access to the Passport Program, visit DareA250.org.
Author: CoastalLife
