Sycamore Shoals Fiber Fair

 

Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 10 am – 4 pm

 Have you ever watched the skillful hands of an expert spinner and marveled at how the fiber flowed so swiftly through those fingers to become thread?  Has a weaver ever mesmerized you by the rhythmic passing of the shuttle back and forth, back and forth, creating beautiful cloth?   

Have you ever wanted to experience spinning or weaving for yourself?  Maybe you need some tips on knitting or crocheting? Perhaps you want to buy some beautiful yarn. 

If so, come to the 11^th annual Fiber Fair on March 15 at Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton, TN. and meet these amazing artisans.  The Fair is open from 10:00 to 4:00 and is hosted by The OverMountain Weaver’s Guild. 

Guild members will be on hand all day to answer questions or provide helpful hints for all fiber lovers. Educational exhibits will show native dyes, fiber made from native plants, and the “Baatny Goat” project from Roan Mountain. Demonstrations will be given on floor looms and inkle looms, on drop spindling and spinning on a wheel, and on the art of Japanese braiding known as Kumihimo. 

A wide assortment of vendors will offer hand-made items including scarves, placemats, table runners, quilts, mittens, jewelry and more. Fleeces, yarn and equipment will also be available.  Live alpacas will greet visitors at the door! 

Once again Powers’ Coffee will provide delicious hot food and beverages for breakfast, lunch or snacks.  

Fiber Fair is a wonderful, free event for the entire family.  Come and join the OverMountain Weavers for a fun, educational day.

Final Liberty! Audition kicks off 36th July season

Saturday, March 1 at 4:30 pm

This year, “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals,” Tennessee’s Official Outdoor Drama, will be hosting its 36^th year of performances in the Fort Watauga amphitheater at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton!                

We would love to have you and your families join us as cast members for our performances this July!    

You will have the opportunity to audition for speaking parts on Saturday, March 1 at 4:30 pm –in the “Gathering Room” in the Sycamore Shoals Visitors Center.   When you arrive, you will be given a short section of last year’s script to read for your audition, so you won’t need to worry about preparing something in advance. 

We will also be taking signups for cast members interested in participating in non-speaking roles.    If you do not have the appropriate clothing, Sycamore Shoals will loan it to you for the month of July!  

“Liberty!” shares the incredible stories of the events that took place at Sycamore Shoals, during the late 18^th century, as settlers began moving into this area and beginning new lives.    Throughout the intriguing scenes in the drama, our guests have the opportunity to not only discover events of historic importance, but also experience the traditions of the times. 

These stories are your stories!   We hope you will consider becoming a part of our “Liberty!” family this year at Sycamore Shoals! 

“Liberty!” will be performed the last 3 weekends in July, Thursday through Saturday, July 10 – 12; 17 – 19; and 24 – 26.   Each show begins at 7:30 pm.  

For additional information, please call the park at 423-543-5808

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area      1651 W. Elk Avenue     Elizabethton, Tennessee  37643 

                                 www.sycamoreshoalstn.org                            

  www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals

www.friendsofsycamoreshoals.org

            Directed by Joe Greene               

Produced and Sponsored by

Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

Colonial Skills and Trades Militia Muster February 15 & 16!

On February 15 and 16 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, TN will present a weekend of 18^th century living history. The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, the park’s host living history organization, will be encamped in and around Fort Watauga providing visitors with a glimpse into our Revolutionary past. Walk among settlers and native peoples who share stories of our history through talks, presentations and demonstrations of 18^th century life.

The Washington County Militia provides many historic programs throughout the year at Sycamore Shoals. This particular event will focus mainly on the daily tasks and trades that made a frontier settlement thrive. The Watauga settlement, in the 18^th century, was a remote backwoods community. The early settlers relied on each other as well as their Native Cherokee neighbors for specialized items and knowledge such as woodworking, weaving, rope making, blacksmithing, sewing and hunting techniques.

Join the reenactors of the Washington County Militia at Fort Watauga as they present a myriad of programs on these skills and trades of the 18^th century. Also witness the militia as they present flintlock musket firing demonstrations, 18^th century artillery demonstrations, and military drill. Bring out the entire family for this free event, and enjoy an exciting, entertaining, and informative day at the beautiful and historic Sycamore Shoals State Park. The event takes place on Saturday, February 15^th from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and Sunday, February 16^th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area is located at 1651 W. Elk Avenue in Elizabethton, TN. For more information about this and other exciting events at Sycamore Shoals please call 423-543-5808 or visit the park websites at http://www.sycamoreshoalstn.org and http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals. This event is sponsored by The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia. You may visit their website at washingtoncountyregiment.wordpress.com.

Schedule of Events 

Saturday, February 15^th                                                                        

10:00 – Militia Inspection & Raising the Colors

12:00 – Artillery Demonstration

2:00 – Militia Drill

4:00 – Retiring the Colors. Event Closes for the day.

Sunday, February 16^th   

10:00 – Raising the Colors

11:00 – Worship Service

1:00 – Artillery Demonstration

2:30 – Militia Drill

3:00 – Retiring the Colors   

 

Activities Throughout the Weekend Include…

Open Hearth Cooking – Salt Rendering – Maple Syrup Making –  Leatherwork

Leather-bound Journal Making –Wool Processing – Hand Sewing – Pine Needle Baskets – Native Skills – Woodsman Skills – Flintlock Rifle & Musket Firing

Trapping & Animal Pelts Display – Tavern Life – Daily Frontier Life