Music, Demonstrations and Guided Bird Walk Highlight the 26th Annual Spring Planting Festival
By Jason Duncan
SCN Reporter/Sales Rep
The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area held its 26th annual Spring Planting Festival at Bandy Creek Visitor Center on Saturday, April 25th. The festival featured a full day of activities including live entertainment, demonstrations and Appalachian traditions.
The day began with a bird walk led by ornithologist Dr. Charles Nicholson. The leisurely walk allowed participants to learn about various birds that inhabit the area. After the bird walk, the rest of the festivities began. The events of the day were centered around Appalachian culture, traditions and craftsmanship. Activities and demonstrations were available for all ages throughout the day.
There was also a full day of live music including bluegrass, traditional Appalachian, Americana and singer-songwriter genres. Featured artists were The Knoxville Dulcimer Club, Crazy Chester, Dry Creek Ramblers, Gerald Hanright and Crossroads.
There were also demonstrations at both the Oscar Blevins and Lora Blevins farms. Visitors were able to take a short hike to these sites to experience demonstrations of candle dipping, butter churning, quilting, mule plowing and other various glimpses of like years ago on the Cumberland Plateau.
