Apple Day At Douthat A Celebration Of Appalachian Heritage
Douthat State Park will host Apple Day: A Celebration of Appalachian Heritage on Saturday, October 9, 2010, from 8 am to 5 pm at the beach complex.
Enjoy the crisp mountain air and changing leaves and celebrate the fruits of fall. Spend a day at the park enjoying apple butter making, traditional Appalachian artisan and craft demonstrations, stories of Appalachia, hay rides, bluegrass music, clogging, great food, and much more.
Enjoy old-fashioned apple butter making. The Simmons family will spend the day spinning apple folk tales and cooking up some delicious homemade apple butter. Stop by with your family to take a turn stirring the kettle.
Visit with traditional artisans and crafters as they work. Some of the demonstrations will include apple farming by Bryant Orchards, beekeeping by Shawn Loudermilk, white oak basket weaving by Alan Miller, blacksmithing by Glen Bryant, soap making by Chuck Bartocci, quilting by Elizabeth Locher, and knitting by Frances Von Schilling. Many demonstrators will offer items for sale.
Helen Groves Hedrick is the author of five children’s books including Baas on the Bus, Sis and the Singing Hens, Rattlesnake Riddle: A Dolly Sods West Virginia Adventure, Flying Moments and Tails, Trails, & Pies: An Appalachian Cattle Drive. She will present readings at 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm.
Take a journey back in time with Daniel “Firehawk” Abbott of the Nanticoke Tribe of the eastern shore of Maryland. You will be spellbound as you listen and watch live demonstrations of ancient life skills, such as friction fire making, stone tool making, and cordage making from natural fibers.
Have you ever wondered how to milk a cow, how to churn that cream into butter, how to get the cider from the apple and how to get the corn off the cob? Guests will have the chance to practice milking, churning, pressing, and shelling skills.
Come watch as tasty treats are whipped up over the flame at Campfire Cookery. Delicious apple treats will be cooking throughout the day. Learn some of the tricks to cooking in a Dutch oven. Sample some of the chef’s creations. A small serving is only $1 and a large serving in a souvenir mug is only $5.
Come and find out why It Takes Brains to Tan a Hide. Hides and bones will be on display and some traditional processes for hide tanning will be shared.
Come play the part of a child from long ago as you test your skill at some frontier games during Appalachian Antics. Play the games children were playing years ago in the Highlands and see how they were able to have fun before the days of TV and video games.
Sit back and relax in a hay wagon pulled through the cabin area and up the mountain around the lodge as the history of Douthat State Park is shared. Rides will be departing from the lower beach parking area, and guests can join in the fun for only $3 per person.
Forrest Gladden will be demonstrating techniques used by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the construction of Douthat’s facilities. The CCC was responsible for the construction of 25 cabins, 40 miles of trails, the guest lodge, the spillway, the restaurant and more at the park. The program will include hand-hewing of logs and shingle making using antique tools.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy entertainment throughout the day. Bluegrass and clogging will be highlighted. Performances include Steve Largo Band at 11 am, Rebels of Rhythm at 12:05 pm, The Honey Dew Drops at 12:30 pm Tri-County Cloggers at 1:35 pm, Against the Grain at 2 pm, Rhinestone Rockers at 3:05 pm, and Corbin Hayslett at 3:30 pm.
Douthat State Park will be providing concessions throughout the day for your convenience. Souvenirs and fun food will be available to purchase.
The community sponsors for Apple Day include Alleghany Regional Hospital, Dixie Gas & Oil Corporation, First National Bank, Highlands Community Bank, Jenfab Inc., Kroger, Owen’s Pharmacy, Seibel Heavy Equipment Repair Inc., State Farm Insurance and Vic’s Family Restaurant.
For additional information on Douthat’s programs, visit virginiastateparks.gov
