Fun, Food & Freedom at the “Fort” for the 4th

Renew your revolutionary spirit as we celebrate our country’s independence on July 4^th at Historic Crab Orchard Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with live music, costumed interpreters and demonstrators, games and free event admission throughout the day.  As the Museum’s oldest and possibly most anticipated event, the Independence Day Celebration at the “Old Fort” has become an annual tradition for many.

     The schedule of events includes:

10:00     Flag Raising by the Barns-Beavers VFW 7136 Singing of the National Anthem

10:30  Shelby Jewell & The Bluegrass Kinsmen, with the Virginia Squares

11:00 – 1:00  Kids’ Games

11:30  Clinton Collins Band

12:30  Charlotte Whitted Band

 1:30    Mountain Games

 2:00    Shelby Jewell & The Bluegrass Kinsmen, with the Virginia Squares

 3:00    Battle of Kings Mountain by Mike Dahl

Live music performances by regional treasures Shelby Jewell & The Bluegrass Kinsmen, folk musician Clinton Collins and country singer-songwriter Charlotte Whitted will entertain throughout the day from the front porch of the Daniel-Murray Homestead.  New CDs from Collins and Whitted will be available for purchase and autographing.  The Virginia Squares will perform during The Bluegrass Kinsmen’s sets on a dance stage in front.  Tents will be set up to provide shade.  Visitors are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets.

Event activities include demonstrations in the Pioneer Park, children’s games, and the ever-popular “Mountain Games”. Costumed interpreters will demonstrate various pioneer skills in the 1800s period cabins throughout the day.  Great food will be available from Suzie’s.  Self-guided tours of the Museum’s exhibit areas are also free to the public during this event. The Museum’s exhibit “The Battle of Kings Mountain” will be open to the public, as well as a miniature replica of an early 1900s General Store from Cedar Bluff, created by Peggy Wharton. 

A special presentation by Mike Dahl from the Overmountain Men Victory Trail Association recounting in costume and in first-person the Battle of Kings Mountain will be the event grand finale at 3 p.m.  Mr. Dahl gave this presentation last fall when the museum’s Kings Mountain exhibit opened and was so well-received he is back “by popular demand.”  He draws listeners into his vivid presentation and enlists them in the Overmountain Men militia.  “He had visitors hanging on his every word,” recalls Diane Cain, Supervisor of Visitor Services at Crab Orchard Museum.

The day promises fun for the entire family. Admission for the event is free thanks to Continental Army Sponsors, Peery & St. Clair, Inc. & Van’s and First Community Bank, Patriot Militia Sponsors,  Shrader’s, Inc., Villa Italian Bar & Grill and Dave Nichols, CPA, as well as Overmountain Men Sponsors, Pablo M. Carpio, MD & Cimarron Coach of VA, Inc.  Historic Crab Orchard Museum is a non-profit organization that encourages membership to anyone interested in promoting education and preserving the history and culture in our region. The Museums hours of operation are 9-5, Monday through Saturday, and 1-5 on Sundays through Labor Day. Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park is located 4 miles west of Tazewell, Virginia, on routes 19 and 460. For more information call 276-988-6755, or visit the Museum’s website at www.craborchardmuseum.com.

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