August 18th, 2025 Marks the 438th Birthday of Virginia Dare
August 18th and August 19th, 2025 The Lost Colony will celebrate Virginia Dare Nights
The Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA)is proud to announce the annual Virginia Dare Nights on Monday August 18th and Tuesday, August 19th, 2025. Virginia Dare Nights commemorate the 438th anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World to colonist Eleanor Dare.
The Lost Colony continues its long-celebrated tradition of using real babies during the August 18th and August 19th performances. Being a “Virginia Dare Baby” is a coveted role in the community that many local citizens have had the opportunity of being a part of. For Virginia Dare Nights only, the prop baby swaddled in blankets, is replaced with these special guests. Virginia Dare Nights are generously sponsored by First National Bank.
“One of the things that makes The Lost Colony truly distinctive is our celebration of Virginia Dare’s birthday. It’s a tradition that predates The Lost Colony and one of the things that helped inspire the creation of the play. It was a big festival for Roanoke Island. I would like to think Baby Night continues that festival tradition. It’s definitely a big night every year for The Lost Colony,” Chuck Still, Executive Director.
The 2025 Virginia Dare babies:
Aug 18: Lillie Curles (Mom and Dad Jordie & Tasha Curles), Isla Mitchell (Mom and Dad Ted Mitchell & Laura Pettit), Beckham Tate Hart (Mom & Dad Laurel & Matt Hart).
Aug 19: Tex Thompson (Mom and Dad Mitzy & Austin Thompson), Ava James Russ (Mom and Dad Dale & Hannah Russ), Warren Beau Meekins (Mom and Dad McKayla & Aaron Meekins), Robbie Foglia).
There will be an awards ceremony starting at 8:20, which will begin with the presentation of the 2025 Virginia Dare babies and their families. The Lost Colony performance will begin shortly after the awards ceremony concludes.
