Four hundred years ago today the Sea Venture was wrecked on Bermuda's reef and St. George's is throwing a party to celebrate.

Today's celebrations are being billed as the signature event of the year-long celebration of the 400th anniversary of Bermuda's settlement. And Bermudians of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend the festivities in St. George's tonight.

The Sea Venture was on its way to Jamestown in the US with crucial supplies for the newly established colony when it became separated from the other ships it sailed with on July 24 when they encountered a serious storm at "latitude 27 North and some 1000 leagues West of the Azores".

Captained by Sir George Somers they managed to survive the storm and four days later the severely leaking Sea Venture was run aground on Bermuda's eastern reefs. All the passengers and crew as well as the ship's dog made it safely to St. Catherine's Beach, which was historically known as 'Gates' Bay'.

To celebrate the milestone, a number of activities have been planned including a re-enactment of the landing of the survivors.

The day begins at 2.30 p.m. with a time capsule ceremony in the Town of St. George's. At 3.15 the Bermuda sloop, Spirit of Bermuda, will lead a flotilla of boats to the Sea Venture wreck site for a commemorative ceremony.

At 5 p.m. the World Heritage Centre will be officially opened by the St. George's Foundation. While St. George's has been a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Site since 2000, the World Heritage Centre at Queen's Warehouse will be officially opened today. The centre will offer an in-depth and interactive history of Bermuda's settlement and St. George's role on the Island.

At 6.30 p.m. there will be a re-enactment of the landing of survivors at St. Catherine's Beach. Actors will row to shore in longboats manned by Sea Cadets in period costume. A service will be held on the beach followed by the unveiling of a cross symbolising the one that was left by the survivors before they departed Bermuda for Jamestown, Virginia. There will then be a parade into the Town of St. George's for an evening of festivities

Persons who attend will have a chance to meet descendants of the Sea Venture survivors and visiting dignitaries from Lyme Regis [home of Sir George Somers] and Virginia.

There will also be music by the Bermuda Regiment Band and the Tony Bari Trio, featuring Gene Steede. Dances will be performed by numerous cultural groups including the St. David's Native Community, the Bermuda African Dance Company and persons of Filipino and Portuguese heritage.

A 'Parade of Fashion' at 9.30 p.m. will showcase period costumes. The celebrations end with fireworks, scheduled for 10 p.m., and performances by gombey troupes.