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Upcoming events
Friday, May 1 Morning Bird Walk 8 a.m. - ? - Meet Larry McDaniel of the Friends of Roan Mountain at Picnic Shelter 1 at 8:00 a.m. for an easy walk looking for migrating and resident birds in the park. This is a great time of year to find warblers, tanagers, thrushes and many other species. We will walk around the area and optionally drive to another location in the park if time permits. Bring binoculars if you have them or I can lend some for those who don’t. Wear sturdy enough shoes for easy off pavement walking. This is a free program with no registration required. Meet at: Picnic Shelter #1
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Saturday, May 9 Bird Walk 8:00 a.m. - ? - Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.
Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area
Saturday, June 6 Outdoor Photography Workshop Adventure 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Join David Duplessis of Tennessee Photographs and a Park Ranger for an amazing ALLDAY photography workshop through Roan Mountain State Park! The photographic opportunities are almost endless from the gorgeous arboreal forests, trails and rivers, to the mountain views and idyllic valleys there’s beautiful scenery every where you look.
After the workshop is over (around 1 p.m.), an optional caravan trip is available up to the top of Roan Mountain to enjoy the Cloudland Trail & Rhododendron Garden.
Plan to meet at the Gristmill Visitors Center at 7:45 a.m. the workshop will start promptly at 8 a.m. We will caravan & hike around the park to different points of interest through out the day, like: - Peg Leg Mine & Trail - Cloudland Trail - The Doe River - Miller Homestead (where we’ll picnic) - Chestnut Ridge Overlook - Riverside Trail - And more!
Please bring your DSLR & lenses*. There will be hiking involved (some short but strenuous bursts in places) so please bear that in mind and wear appropriate clothing & shoes**. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water/fluids as well as your own snacks & lunch. *All you really need to bring with you is your favorite camera and a sense of adventure. But...you are also encouraged to bring a tripod/monopod, shutter release, your collection of lenses, filters, etc., Basically, bring what YOU want to use and are comfortable with! **The top of Roan Mountain can be significantly cooler and wetter then the valley below, it’s fun and unpredictable that way. So there is a possibility you and your gear might get wet. So please be aware of that, and pack accordingly.
Meet at: Visitor Center Porch
Saturday-Sunday, June 20-21 Rhododendron Festival 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Since 1947, the community of Roan Mountain has celebrated each June to herald in the blooming of the famous Catawba Rhododendron along the highlands of the Roan. Join us at Roan Mountain State Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for a true mountain celebration. Aside from the natural beauty of the blooming Rhododendron, people from all over the world come to enjoy the flavors of local cuisine, browse local crafts and arts, and take in the music of the region.
The Festival will be held around the Roan Mountain State Park amphitheater and pool. Parking is by donation to local civic groups in the park fields along-side Hwy 143. For more information about this event, visit the Roan Mountain Citizen’s Club website at http://www. roanmountain.com/rhododendronfestival/.Meet at: Park Amphitheater
Saturday, June 27 Independence Day Celebration
Join Roan Mountain State Park on Saturday, June 27th for a 4th of July Weekend celebration! The park will be hosting a line-up of fun activities for kids and adults alike. Times to be determined The actual Saturday of the 4th of July will offer various firework shows and events in the surrounding communities.
Our Field Game line-up and times will be announced closer to the event date, but expect the following: 4th July Bicycle Parade and Contest, Tug-O’-War, Corn Hole Tournament, Various Relay Races
Meet at: Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground
TN Promise Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Attention TN Promise Students! Roan Mountain State Park will be hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, June 27th alongside various other parks and agencies across the state. TN Promise students will meet at the Park Headquarters starting at 8 a.m. and assist the park with trail work and conservation projects ending at 4 p.m. Students will be able to earn their 8 hours for TN Promise requirements or work a portion of the day. Work details will be announced closer to the workday so check back often. Workers are encouraged to wear proper outdoor work gear (close-toed shoes, work clothes, etc.) and bring plenty of water.
Meet at: Park Headquarters.
Miller Farmstead
Butterfly Walk 1 p.m. - ? - Meet Larry McDaniel with the Friends of Roan Mountain at the Miller Farmstead at 1:00 p.m. for an easy walk looking for butterflies and other insects. We should see swallowtails, whites, sulphurs, hair streaks, blues, fritillaries, ladies and more. We will walk around the grounds of the farmstead enjoying vast views of the 6.8 acre certified Monarch Waystation. Binoculars are helpful and wear sturdy enough shoes for easy off pavement walking.
Meet at: Miller Farmstead Parking Lot
Independence on the Frontier: Militia Muster 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Experience the 4th of July, 18th century-style! What did colonists think about a new nation? Be a guest in Fort Watauga as news of Independence arrives to the colonial frontier. Walk among historical characters and hear their varied reactions to the Declaration, from fear of war to the hope of a brighter future.
Meet at: Fort Watauga
TN Promise Volunteer Day 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - It is that time of year again! Come join in the glorious cause of liberty by helping us protect and preserve our beautiful park grounds. Sycamore Shoals State Park has teamed up with NeTREP (Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership) along with the Tennessee Master Gardeners to make this year’s annual Tennessee Promise Saturday a unique experience. Volunteers will be able to help prevent the spread of invasive species as well as gain a better understanding of how to properly plan, implement, and maintain a butterfly garden. Tennessee Promise Hours will be awarded to volunteers upon completion of their service. Most time will be spent working in and around the garden, so we ask participants to wear closed toe shoes and dress properly for outdoor work. If possible, please come prepared with gloves, water, and snacks. This is the season we start seeing the emergence once again of poison ivy so being prepared is vital. Proper methods of identification will be given. Tools and proper work equipment will be provided. This event beings at 10 a.m. and ends at noon. Time and weather permit-
ted. Be prepared to do other light labor task on the park grounds or on the trail. **Registration is required**
Monday - Friday, July 6-10 2020 Junior Ranger Camp
Roan Mountain State Park proudly offers our 2020 Junior Ranger Camp to 30 individual youth ages 8-12. Junior Rangers at Roan Mountain will take part in outdoor classes focusing on safety, wildlife, plants, astronomy, water, and history. Each day, Junior Rangers will set off on adventures around Roan Mountain State park learning and playing in the outdoors. Camp this year will take part this year from Monday, July 6th through Friday, July 10th. Activity details and times will be available soon and a schedule will be posted for download. This camp is limited to 30 and Registration will begin on May 1st and end May 16th. Registration details will be posted on our Facebook Page and this page soon.
Thursday, July 9 — Saturday, July 25 Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday on July 9-11, July 16-18 and July 23-25.
Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men. These settlers formed an independent government, made treaties with the Cherokee, defended their homes, and fought a British army at the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The concession stand opens at 6:30 p.m.
For ticket pricing, purchasing, and discount information, please visit www. thelibertydrama.com
Meet at: Fort Watauga Amphitheater
Thursday, July 9 — Sunday, July 26 Summer Art Show
Visitor Center Operating Hours
Meet-the-Artist Awards Reception: Sunday, July 12, 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - This multi-media exhibit is two art shows in one: “17th Annual Judged show” and the “25th Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member show”. Please join us for this popular summer event!
Meet at: Park Visitor Center
Saturday, July 18
Morning Light Moth Party 6 a.m. - 8 a.m. - Stop by Conference Center between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. on July 18th (early is better) to meet Larry McDaniel of the Friends of Roan Mountain and see what moths and other night flying insects were attracted to the moth lights. The lights will be set up and left on Friday night so to attract all sorts of unique insect visitors. We should see many species of moths including silkworms, sphinx and tigers. This is a good way to photograph moths. Smart phone cameras work great. Stop by any time for this free, no-registration activity.
Meet at: Park Headquarters winged adventure across town. The morning is spent at Sycamore Shoals and the afternoon in other areas of Elizabethton. Come for all or part of the day! (There is a small fee if you wish to have your name included on the official count list.) Sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association & Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. (Rain Date to be announced).
Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area
Saturday, August 1 17th Annual Elizabethton Butterfly Count 9:00am - ? - Meet naturalist Don Holt at Sycamore Shoals for this day-long
Gardening Seminar Series: Fall Gardening 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - The third session in our gardening seminar series will focus on fall gardening. Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining us to share his experiences & techniques for growing the garden of your dreams! Free admission!
Meet at: Park Visitor Center
Saturday, September 12 — Sunday, September 13 23rd Annual Fort Watauga Knap-In 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Knapping—with a “K”—has nothing to do with sleep! Knapping is the art of making stone tools, and the Knap-In at Fort Watauga is our celebration of Tennessee Archaeology Week. Watch primitive skills craftsmen make arrowheads, spear points and other survival tools. There will be demonstrations of primitive tools such as the bow, arrow and atlatl throughout the day.
Meet at: Fort Watauga
Friday, September 25 OVTA Watauga River Crossing
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association have recreated the historic march to King’s Mountain since 1975. On September 25, marchers will cross the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals, just as the Overmountain militia crossed 240 years ago.
Meet at: Watauga River Crossing Site on the Park Trail
Saturday, September 26 The Overmountain Men and the
Battle of Kings Mountain 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. - The Overmountain Victory Trail Association will present the story of the Overmountain Men and their journey to the Battle of Kings Mountain in September 1780. Join historical interpreters in period dress at the Roan Mountain State Park Amphitheater for an interesting and informative program. Program begins at 6:00 PM. There is no admission charge for this event. For more information, please contact: Steve Ricker, OVTA Director of Interpretation Primitivetrails@gmail. com. Meet at Park Amphitheater
Saturday, September 26 —
Sunday, September 27
Overmountain Victory Trail
Celebration & Militia Muster
Sat. 10:00-4:00, Sun. 10:00-3:00
Join us for an encampment by the Overmountain militia before the Battle of King’s Mountain in 1780. Enjoy historical demonstrations and presentations, and live some of the most crucial days of the American Revolution!
Meet at: Fort Watauga
Friday, October 2 — Sunday, October 4 25th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show
Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - This threeday exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.
Meet at: Park Visitor Center
Manager Anthony Carpenter
Why Carter County - Farmers Home
1. What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton for your services and business? With more than 230 stores spanning seven states, we have the benefit of strong buying power to provide low prices without losing our hometown quality and service. Our in-house financing plan has helped the residents of communities across the Southeast purchase their dream furnishings for over half a century.
2. What is your purpose as a business? What do you do?
Farmers Home Furniture, a leading provider of affordable home furnishings and exceptional customer service. We offer home furnishing products and services that exceed customer expectations and our products can be purchased for a reasonable price on a financing plan that allows for a same-day sale.
3. How long have you been in business?
Farmers Home Furniture opened its first store in Soperton, Ga., in 1949 with fairness, trust, quality and value in mind for the customer. The company is equally committed to those same ideals today.
4. What makes you different from others in the industry? A member of our friendly and knowledgeable staff, whose top priority
is to provide excellent customer service, will greet you. This location is decorated with the latest styles and trends in the furniture industry, promoting a comfortable and inviting atmosphere to treat you, the customer, to the perfect shopping experience.
5. Are you part of a franchise or are you independent?
Farmers Home Furniture has become one of the largest and one of the most successful furniture retailers in the Southeast with more than 230 locations in the states of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Since 1949, Farmers Home Furniture has focused on providing quality home furnishings to our neighbors in local communities across the Southeast.
6. What impact do you think your services/business will have on the Carter County community?
Farmers Home Furniture is committed to being a part of the positive and progressive ideals of this community and is humbly grateful to be able to contribute to Elizabethton’s area growth. For more information, please give us a call at 423-543-0307.
The Farmers Home Furniture store is located at 1729 Highway 19E in the Betsytowne Shopping Center.
