St George’s might be old, but it’s certainly not dead. That’s the message behind the next weekend’s celebration in the old town.

The Town of St George’s is celebrating its 402nd birthday on July 11, from 6 to 10pm with Plough, A Summer’s Evening in the Olde Towne.

The event marks July 1612 when people arrived on a ship called The Plough, and settled in St George’s.

“Four hundred and two years later, here we are,” said volunteer organiser Kristin White. “People talk about St George’s being ‘dead’, and definitely the changes to the tourism sector have affected us here in the East End but we are staying optimistic.

Entrepreneurs, museums, the Corporation of St George’s, The Bermuda Tourism Authority and community groups are banding together to create events and programmes to bring residents and visitors to the town.

“So for Plough we are celebrating our town, and our ‘never-die’ spirit that has kept us going for over four hundred years.”

She said that the goal is to celebrate all that makes Bermuda’s UNESCO World Heritage Town unique and special. St George’s is the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the New World.

This is the third Plough weekend, but the first held in the evening.

“The past two events were daytime events, with mixed results,” said Ms White. “It’s quite hot, and last year was abysmally hot. Walking all around the town is just punishment, so we’ve adapted it to be an evening event. Back in 2006 to 2008, there was an evening event (hosted by the St George’s Foundation) called A Somers Eve, and it was quite successful but discontinued because of the amount of money and work. So we are combining the best of Plough, with the best of A Somers Eve to create this evening event, which we hope will soon grow to be like the winter walkabout.”

She said people from all over the Island come to the Plough event, and seem to most enjoy the re-enactments.

“They bring history to life in a really accessible way,” she said.

On the evening, events will be special re-enactments and tours of the museums, and other historical sites, including Globe Hotel, Mitchell House, and State House, plus events in stores, actors roaming about the town in period dress, and a closing performance by the Bermuda Regiment Band and the Bermuda Island Pipe Band at 9pm. A $10 wristband will get you access to the entire event.

The wristbands were inspired by practices in Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

“Earlier this year we visited Colonial Williamsburg and saw that, while folks could walk throughout the town freely, they needed a purchased pass to visit special exhibits and performances,” said Ms White. “And, because we need to raise money for the museums in St George’s and cover some of the Plough event costs, we decided we’d do a similar thing. Everyone should feel free to come and walk around the town, go into the stores, and see the performances that will be on the street. But to access the museums, you will need the $10 wristband. And the net proceeds from the wristbands will be split between all the museums.”

The wristbands will be for sale in St George’s at the World Heritage Centre, Mitchell House and at the St George’s Visitor Information Centre on King Square. People can also purchase wristbands in Hamilton at the Visitor Information Centre at Albouy’s Point ferry terminal.

This event is sponsored by Bermuda Department of Tourism, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, TOPS Limited and Orasi Group and supported by the entire town of St George’s.

The event will be held on July 11 from 6pm to 10pm in the town of St George’s. For more information, see www.facebook.com/stgeorges.bermuda.revitalise and click on events, or call Ms White at 705-1838.