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Sycamore Shoals Autumn Heritage Celebration
An event every day that begins at 10:00 am, repeating until November 6, 2016
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park to host Autumn Heritage Celebration: Military Timeline, Colonial Harvest Home, Fibers and Art Show
November 5th & 6th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fall is in full swing and what better time to celebrate our rich cultural, historical and military heritage. On November 5th and 6th, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park will host several events showcasing these very characteristics of our region’s legacy. There will certainly be something for everyone to enjoy, so make plans to bring the entire family and spend the whole day!
In celebration of Veteran’s Day Week, step back in time for A Walk In Their Boots: A Timeline of American Military History . Experience life on the front lines as an American military soldier and follow his footsteps through the earliest frontier days, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, America’s Civil War, World War I, World War II and beyond. See firsthand, how the uniforms, equipment and weapons developed over the years. Follow the path of America’s proudest tradition, that of its military veterans.
As a timeline event, re-enactors and historical interpreters will walk you through each period, displaying artifacts and conducting interactive demonstrations that will show you how these men and women contributed to securing American freedom and how they have protected it to this day. Tour the period encampments, and see how soldiers lived in the field and what resources they used to survive!
Battle demonstrations and reenactments from several different eras in American history will be presented each day to showcase the different tactics used throughout our military past. Do not miss this opportunity to see period equipment and weapons in action!
This event is designed to not only honor the past but also recognize our present military heroes. Everyone is encouraged to attend especially our veterans. A new facet of this year’s event will be a Veteran Recollection Program which will afford veterans the opportunity to share their story with others. This program will take place in the Fort Watauga amphitheater immediately following the 11:00 am activities. If you are a veteran and would like to participate in this special event please call 412-726-6665 for more information.
Also, in conjunction with the event, the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, host living history organization for Sycamore Shoals, will present a Colonial Harvest Celebration inside Fort Watauga. In Colonial America, before Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday, each colony or community observed days of thanksgiving usually after the harvest had been brought in or after a significant military victory. Join the Washington County Militia for their annual Harvest Home Activities. Harvest events throughout the weekend will include; a reading of colonial governor Richard Caswell’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, open hearth cooking, flintlock musket and rifle demonstrations, militia drill and training, and many more aspects and demonstrations of daily life on the colonial American frontier.
New this year to the Autumn Heritage Celebration will be a Fall Fibers Show held in and around the park visitor’s center from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, Nov. 5th and 10am – 3pm on Sunday, Nov. 6th. Fall is the time we plan our winter projects and our handmade holiday gifts! Spend the day visiting our regions’ finest fiber producers and artists! The day will include workshops, vendors with handmade items for sale, raw fibers, and demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and more. Also, be sure to enjoy the amazing and graceful sheep herding demonstrations adjacent to Fort Watauga presented by Mr. Phil Lakin! We also welcome this year Tom Hudgin of Limestone Creek Llamas who will be offering Llama Cart rides each day.
Finally, to round out the packed weekend of activities, be sure to visit the 2016 Tennessee Watercolor Traveling Exhibition inside the Gathering Place of the Sycamore Shoals State Park Visitors Center.
The Tennessee Watercolor Society is a statewide organization showcasing works of Tennessee residents, and offering opportunities to experience and learn about watermedia on paper. A biannual exhibition and events surrounding it are held in different locations across the state. Internationally known watercolor painter, John Salminen, will choose 30 paintings from the exhibition to tour the state. The paintings on display will range from abstracts to realism, watercolor and acrylic media, and an array of subjects. The show will run November 1st until November 23rd with an opening reception on Sunday, November 6 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
This is a perfect opportunity for the entire family to visit one of Tennessee’s finest state parks and enjoy a day immersed in history, culture, and fun. Admission is free so don’t miss this unique event showcasing Tennessee’s rich heritage. There will definitely be something for everyone to enjoy. During your time at the park be sure to experience the award winning museum and interpretive exhibits as well as our Eastern National Book and Gift Shop to make your visit complete.
MILITARY TIMELINE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, November 5th
10:00 – Event Opens
10:15 – Opening Ceremony (Flag Raising and Salute inside Fort Watauga)
11:00 – Weapons Demonstration (Outdoor Amphitheater)
Followed by – Veteran Recollections (Outdoor Amphitheater)
1:00 – Revolutionary War era Tactical Demonstration*
2:00 – Civil War era Battle (Demonstration Field)*
3:00 – World War II era Battle (Demonstration Field)*
Sunday, November 6th
10:00 – Event Opens
10:15 – Flag Raising and Salute (Inside Fort Watauga)
11:00 – All Era Church Service (Outdoor Amphitheater)
11:30 – Veteran Recollections (Outdoor Amphitheater)
1:00 – Revolutionary War era Tactical Demonstration*
2:00 – Civil War era Battle (Demonstration Field)*
3:00 – World War II era Battle (Demonstration Field)*
*tactical and battle demonstrations will last approximately 30 minutes
For more information contact:
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area
1651 West Elk Avenue Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 543-5808
www.sycamoreshoalstn.org
www.militarywalk.us
https://www.facebook.com/sycamoreshoals
www.friendsofsycamoreshoals.org
https://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals
Visitors Center Hours:
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM Sunday
Closed Mondays
Our Visitors Center is closed on most State holidays. Park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset.
