Want to stump guests at Thanksgiving dinner this year? Ask them where the 102 Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed when they arrived in the New World in 1620. Chances are, unless your guests are from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, they won’t know the answer.

The Pilgrims first landed and spent an estimated five weeks in what is now Provincetown, MA, where they created one of the most famous documents to frame American Democracy. With their ship anchored in the town’s harbor, the Pilgrims drafted and unanimously adopted the Mayflower Compact, America’s first declaration of equality and justice for everyone. Today, that same spirit of freedom and independence is the hallmark of the town known as America’s first destination.

To commemorate this historic event, The Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association chose a design submitted by Willard T. Sears of North Carolina, himself a descendant of the Mayflower Pilgrims.

Construction of the monument Sears envisioned began in 1907, and President Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the cornerstone ceremony after arriving in Ptown (as the locals call it) in his presidential yacht, aptly named the Mayflower. Workers at the time used stone exclusively from Stonington, Maine for construction, and President William Howard Taft dedicated the 252-foot tower nearly three years later. Believed still to be the tallest all-granite structure in the United States, the monument marked its 100-year anniversary in a special ceremony on August 5, 2010.

The Pilgrim Monument can be seen from nearly everywhere in Ptown, reminding residents and visitors alike that they are walking in the footsteps of the country’s forefathers. Today the eclectic shops along historic Commercial Street, the towering sand dunes and beautiful beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore, the intimate art galleries of America’s longest continuous artist colony, and Ptown’s eclectic and fine dining, quiet inns and popular events attract a diverse and loyal visitor base. Vacationers often decide to extend their stays thanks to the town’s relaxed, friendly and vibrant atmosphere.

The Pilgrim Monument itself continues to be a popular attraction. It encourages visitors to take the 10 minute climb up its 116 steps and 60 ramps, pausing along the way to have a look at the 175 plaques adorning the inside of the structure, which mark the contributions of several towns formerly composing Plymouth Colony that donated stones for the monument’s construction.

The annual “Lighting of the Monument” is a free ceremony that takes place Wednesday, November 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. The lights are considered “Landing Lights,” and they will remain shining until January 6, 2014, symbolizing the approximate amount of time the Pilgrims stayed in Provincetown before moving on to Plymouth, MA. Admission is free, and the Provincetown Business Guild will provide refreshments, while entertainment by Peter Donnelly and John Thomas will be offered. For a small donation, you can help support the traditional lighting of the Pilgrim Monument. More information is available at www.pilgrim-monument.org.

Another special lighting ceremony takes place Saturday, November 30 in what is known as “Lighting the Provincetown Lobster Pot Tree 2013” ceremony, now in its 9th year. Provincetown artist Julian Popko and family build a unique lobster pot tree right in the heart of Provincetown’s Lopes Square. Stacked with over 100 real lobster pots borrowed from local lobstermen, the tree rises up over 2 stories and is lit with thousands of holiday lights. Come be a part of the lighting, where cookies and hot cocoa will be served at 5:30p.m. There will be a big crowd counting down as the giant tree topper is lifted and then lowered onto the tall ‘tree’ in the center of town.

History buffs will appreciate another of the town’s famous monuments to American Democracy. Ptown is home to a bas-relief of the writing and signing of the Mayflower Compact sculpted by Cyrus Dallin, who is famous for many bronze sculptures commemorating the important moments and individuals in American History.

Between attending ceremonies and soaking up American lore, visitors can get a little action in on the tables by attending a Casino Night benefit for the Provincetown Business Guild on November 29. The event takes place 8 p.m. until midnight, and there is no cover charge. The Provincetown Business Guild has a list of places, events, specials and more that will be a part of Thanksgiving 2013. Visit http://www.ptown.org/Thanksgiving.asp for more information.

Stay an extra weekend or come back to Provincetown to take part in Holly Folly 2013, which runs Dec. 6-8. This LGBT holiday festival features a Santa Speedo Run, Drag Bingo, a Shop Hop, Drag Brunch, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus Concert plus Ptown’s clubs and dance halls. Support your special cause at the annual Snow Ball. More information about the celebration may be found at ptown.org/HollyFolly.asp.

Provincetown for the holidays is a perfect place for solitude or bringing in the New Year with a roar!

The pilgrims first set foot in the New World in Provincetown, MA, in 1620, and they drafted the Mayflower Compact in what is now the town’s harbor. Nearly four remarkable centuries later, Provincetown can tell its story for the enrichment of generations to come.

The Mass. Memories Road Show stops in Provincetown Saturday, September 28, 2013, from 10am to 2pm, at the Veterans Memorial Community Center on 2 Mayflower Street.

The Road Show represents a digital time capsule that is being developed to archive the history of the State of Massachusetts, one town at a time, in the most democratic of fashions. On Saturday the 28th, all residents of Provincetown – locals, part-time and regular visitors – are encouraged to bring three photographs, documents or objects that represent the importance of the Provincetown community to them personally. Participants will be recorded for the project, explaining their objects’ significance.

So far the project has documented 22 of the 351 towns and cities in Massachusetts in the span of a decade. Four times a year the group sets out to different communities, archiving and recording folks talking about their items. These stories become part of an online exhibition from which to learn and enjoy the unique stories of this storied place steeped in American history.

Local station PTV is planning to screen completed videos from the project as a series and the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum will be enlarging many of the photographs for a future exhibition. The Provincetown Library will also place the event online, as well as produce DVDs that will be entered as reference material for Provincetown’s next generation to enjoy.

This event celebrates Provincetown locals’ sense of community, ensuring a memorable experience for all who take part and those who will enjoy the memories captured by the exhibition. The event is free to the public and further information is available by contacting Rebecca Levin at the Provincetown Library (rlevin@provincetown-ma.gov), or by calling 508-487-7094, extension 214.

Transportation to the event is available by calling 508-487-7080 by noon, September 27th, to schedule. The Mass. Memories Road Show is based in the University Archives & Special Collections Department at the Joseph P. Healey Library, UMass Boston, and is co-sponsored by the Patricia C. Flaherty ’81 Endowed Fund.

America’s First Destination announces its lineup of September & October events

While most vacation destinations are shuttering their windows and packing away the patio furniture, Provincetown, Mass., is rolling out a fresh season of diverse events that can only be found in this idyllic haven at the tip of Cape Cod.

Locals cherish this time of year, as warm sunshine mixes with cool ocean breezes, and long sunsets unfurl slowly into the sea. The town’s quaint shops, charming restaurants and renowned art galleries open their doors to the sidewalks, and the award-winning beaches remain a picturesque spot for fun and relaxation.

Second Summer begins on Labor Day weekend. There is great music at the Sundays at Five Concert Series at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House on Sunday, September 1st, featuring an “I Heard it at the Movies” theme. Or you can opt for the Aids Support Group of Cape Cod Annual Silent & Live Auction.

September 2-6 is The Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta & Yacht Race, a five-day sailing event that’s both fun and educational for young and old alike. The event helps to encourage public awareness of the vital role that maritime history played in this country’s cultural and economic evolution.

On Saturday 9/7, Ptown visitors can participate in the Provincetown Harbor Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla, a benefit for AIDS, Women’s Health and the Provincetown community. The event is considered one of the town’s quintessential traditions.

From 9/9 – 9/15, there’s The Afterglow Festival, an entire week of performance art by emerging as well as renowned artists who are sure to create sights and sounds you’ve never before experienced. The following week brings to town the Kate Clinton Classic Women’s Flag Football Tournament, in which national & international women’s teams compete in 8 on 8, semi-contact flag football. It’s definitely a sight to behold. September 13 – 22 is Ptown’s 10 Days of Art at the Provincetown Town Hall Auditorium, where local artists Zehra Khan and Tim Winn’s work will be featured along with many others. Special programming, theater, music and video presentations will all be offered as well. Rounding out the end of the month is September 22’s Pilgrim Monument Historic House Tour, in which participants will be granted admission to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, in addition to a tour of the homes in the far East End of the town. Of special note is the tour’s featuring of The Norman Mailer House.

Still not enough fun for you? The month concludes with a bang in the form of the annual Tennessee Williams Theater Festival from 9/26 – 9/29. This year celebrates the woman. Eight productions will be presented that explore Williams’ renowned classics as well as some lesser-known experiments, in conjunction with works by Gertrude Stein and Jane Bowles. Theater enthusiasts and novices alike will not want to miss it.

As many options as September in Ptown provides, that’s only one half of its “Second Summer” season:

OCTOBER 2013

Oct. 3-6: Mates Leather Weekend – Leather/fetish community events and music with a portion of proceeds benefitting the AIDS support group.

Oct. 4-6: Provincetown Food and Wine Festival – Participants can enjoy the beautiful Ptown landscapes while sampling an array of fine wines and delicious cuisine from local establishments, all benefitting the Provincetown Soup Kitchen and the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. Culinary writer and comedian Cheril Vendetti will be the special guest for the event.

Oct. 11: Provincetown Art Association & Museum Gala – An elegant benefit for PAAM’s curatorial projects.

Oct. 11-13: Townwide Yard Sale – Bargains and fun as shopkeepers’ wares spill out onto the sidewalk.

Oct. 14-20: Women’s Week. A week of events, shows, exhibits and fun all geared toward women.

Oct. 20-27: Fantasia Fair. The longest-running annual event in the transgender world with shows, workshops, and food.

Oct. 25-27: The Provincetown Business Guild 50/50 Raffle, haunted houses, cemetery walking tours, food, and more. Be prepared to be scared!

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Ghost Town – Visit this haunted attraction for a spine-tingling scare!

Oct. 31-Nov. 3: Halloween @ The Crown

Provincetown & the Arts America’s oldest art colony Provincetown’s celebrated reputation as the nation’s oldest art colony began when painter Charles Webster Hawthorne arrived in Provincetown in 1899. Shortly thereafter, he founded the Cape Cod School of Art, where he taught painting for the following 30 summers.

Prominent art students and teachers were also drawn to Provincetown for the beautiful light, natural landscapes and rustic scenes. They followed Hawthorne to Provincetown, eventually establishing their own schools. The new art schools and art movements spawned a year-round arts community of young, aspiring artists working under the watchful eyes of established mentors and teachers. In 1916, The Boston Globe ran a frontpage story titled, “Biggest Art Colony in the World in Provincetown.” Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Blanche Lazzell, Milton Avery, Jack Tworkov and Edward Hopper were simply a handful of well-known artists with ties to Provincetown. Provincetown is also associated with the birth of modern American theater. Eugene O’Neill, considered the father of modern American theater, mounted his first play on an East End Provincetown wharf in 1915. Today, the tradition is carried on at Provincetown Theater, the well-known venue featuring The New Provincetown Players Theater Company. Writers like John Dos Passos, Weldon Kees, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Norman Mailer and Michael Cunningham found inspiration in Provincetown. Many actors and musicians, including Billie Holiday, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Richard Gere, Julius Monk, and Barbra Streisand, spent their early years performing on Provincetown stages. 

Today, Provincetown remains a haven for artists in every medium – painting, sculpting, theatre, writing, and music. The vibrant arts community, atmosphere of experimentation, vast teaching and learning opportunities, and palpable energy draw artists year after year to share and deepen their talents.

No visit to Provincetown is complete without seeing the town’s historic and beautiful library. A replica of the famous schooner, The Rose Dorothea, is exhibited in the library, which offers gorgeous views of the harbor. It also contains a great children’s section, is open on Sundays, and offers free internet access. (www.ptownlib.com)