Image courtesy of Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Upstate (SC) Revolutionary War Weekend: October 5-7, 2012

To celebrate South Carolina’s vital role in the independence of our country, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Cowpens National Battlefield, the Overmountain Victory Trail, and Walnut Grove Plantation are teaming up to present An Upstate Revolutionary War Weekend from Friday, October 5 to Sunday, October 7, 2012.

An Upstate Revolutionary War Weekend begins with the 20th Annual FestiFall at Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck, SC.  Relive America’s struggle for independence and be transported back to colonial days at this living history festival that features 200 reenactors and artisans who camp for the weekend and present military reenactments and dozens of demonstrations of colonial era crafts and trades.  FestiFall begins at 6:00pm on Friday, October 5, with a family-friendly lantern tour to the plantation’s cemetery past vignettes telling different stories of the Revolutionary period.  Lantern tours cost $5 per person.  The family fun continues from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, October 6, with the re-enactment of a Revolutionary War skirmish taking place at Noon and a general 18th century battle demonstration taking place at 2:00pm.  Admission to FestiFall on Saturday is $9 for adults, $5 for ages 6-17, and free for ages 5 and under.

At 6:00pm on Saturday, October 6, the action moves to Cowpens National Battlefield near Chesnee, SC for “The Night before Kings Mountain.”  The Overmountain Victory Trail Association, which annually retraces the 330-mile march that patriot militia took from East Tennessee to join the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780, will present a special program about the events that took place in the days leading up to the battle.  Learn about the exploits of backcountry heroes such as John Sevier, Isaac Shelby, and Benjamin Cleveland.  “The Night before Kings Mountain” is a free program.

Then, to wrap up An Upstate Revolutionary War Weekend, Kings Mountain National Military Park in Blacksburg, SC, will present a day of activities and commemorative events on Sunday, October 7, to mark the 232nd anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain.  Considered by many to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War in the South, a commemorative wreath laying ceremony will be held at 11:00am.  Overmountain Victory Trail Marchers will arrive at 3:00pm followed by a keynote address.  A variety of activities will be held throughout the day, including musket and rifle demonstrations along with children's militia drills.  All activities at Kings Mountain are free.

For more information about any of the activities during An Upstate Revolutionary War Weekend, visit
http://www.nps.gov/cowp/specialevents.htm or contact Zac Cunningham at 864-576-6546 or walnutgrove@spartanburghistory.org.

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