Revolutionary Rhetoric
Virginia’s Premier Speech & Debate Tournament
November 6-8, 2026
The American Revolution was inspired by discussions and debates that took place in Colonial Williamsburg 250 years ago. The memories of those formative times remain alive today to inspire new generations and encourage new debates about how best to strive for a more perfect union. This fall, Colonial Williamsburg, in partnership with the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative, will host promising high school students to debate as our founders did, fulfilling our promise that the future will learn from the past.
“It made me feel like I was literally living in colonial times. It felt like I was debating in the House of Burgesses. It felt like I was a person who actually made an impact on history.”
– Dillon Kao, 2024 Participant
Events
Debate
- Student Congress (flagship event)
- Lincoln Douglas Debate
- Public Forum Debate
Speech
- Dramatic Interpretation
- Extemporaneous Speaking
- Humorous Interpretation
- Original Oratory
- Poetry Interpretation
- Duo Interpretation
- Impromptu Speaking
- Informative Speaking
- Prose Interpretation
- Program Oral Interpretation
- Storytelling
Schedule
Friday, November 6
- 3:00-5:00 pm — Tournament Registration
- 5:30-7:30 pm — Opening Ceremony
- 8:30 pm — Optional Ghost Tour
Saturday, November 7
- 8:00 am – 5:00 pm — Competition Rounds
Sunday, November 8
- 7:30 am – 4:00 pm — Competition Rounds
- 4:30 pm — Awards Ceremony
The invitational is generously sponsored by
contact us
General Information
Sandra Wheeler
Director of Student Programs
sandra(at)richmondforum.org
Media Inquiries
Maggie McVicar
Director of Communications
maggie(at)richmondforum.org
Team Resources
Lucretia M. Anderson
Speech & Debate Initiative Manager
lucretia(at)richmondforum.org