The 87th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony commemorates the 437thbirthday of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World to colonist Eleanor Dare on August 18th, 1587. The Lost Colony continues its long-celebrated tradition of using real babies during the performance on Virginia Dare’s birthday. As The Lost Colony is closed on Sundays, the Virginia Dare Night Celebration in 2024 will take place on Saturday, August 17th, 2024.
![](https://www.thelostcolony.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Va-Dare-Babies-2-1.jpeg)
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 Night only, the prop baby swaddled in blankets, is replaced with these special guests. Virginia Dare Night is generously sponsored by First National Bank.
To be considered for the honor of appearing on stage, all babies must attend an audition meeting on Saturday, July 27th at 9:30 AM in The Lost Colony Admin Building located beside the Elizabethan Gardens within Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The address for The Lost Colony admin building is 1409 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27949.
The casting is open to all cheerful boys and girls that are 15 pounds or less. All Virginia Dare babies must be available for several hours on the evening of August 17th for pre-show preparation and for The Lost Colony performance. All selected Virginia Dare babies will be introduced from the stage prior to the performance at 8:30 PM.
For more information, contact Matt Gabbard, 252-473-2127 or mgabbard@thelostcolony.org.