Williamsburg Competing for 'Most Patriotic' Title

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Williamsburg's Fifes and Drums Corps will likely perform for visiting judges from Rand McNally.

The city is one of six finalists for the title in the Rand McNally/USA Today “Best of the Road” competition. As part of the contest, a “Best of the Road” Rally Team will pay a visit to the city sometime between June 24 and 27 to see how it stacks up against Clarksville, Tenn.; Emporia, Kansas; Peachtree City, Ga.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and Rapid City, S.D.

To prepare for their visit, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance is planning a special welcome, an official proclamation and guided tour intended to show why Williamsburg merits the title of “Most Patriotic Town.”

“Our message will be all those things that make us so distinctive, like our living history,” said Linda Stanier, spokesperson for the Alliance. “We bring that to life and make it relevant every single day of the year.”

The Alliance is teaming with the city of Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to roll out the red carpet for the visitors, but also are calling on citizens to decorate offices, windows, counters and homes with red, white and blue. In addition, they want a big crowd to greet the team when they arrive; the exact time and date will be announced soon, Stanier said.

To help businesses and residents prepare, the Alliance is producing a free 11 x 17 “Patriotic and Proud to be the Best of the Road” poster, available for pickup the week of June 20 at the Alliance office at 421 N. Boundary St.

Several Alliance member businesses are also offering discounts on red, white and blue display items, such as flags, bunting and banners. Visit Ace Peninsula Hardware at 1230 Richmond Road, Garden Flag at 230 Monticello Avenue and American Eagle Flag and Flagpole (click here to view promotion).

Colonial Williamsburg Director of Communications Tom Shrout said that while they are planning special events, they hope to showcase how Williamsburg is patriotic every day. “A carriage ride along the Duke of Gloucester Street in the Historic Area, attending our Revolutionary City program, talking to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Patrick Henry and following along behind Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums are possible activities to show the Rand McNally/USA Today team what we do here every day, not just for this special visit,” he said.

To review Williamsburg or see its nomination, click here.