Upcoming events

Plan ahead with fun happenings across Carter County

All these events take place at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park & Roan Mountain State Park.

Covid-19 has had effects on our events. Please note that all programs, events and tours require masks for all participants.

Saturday, October 3

Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - ? - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Friday, October 9 -11

Women’s Rock Climbing Workshop - 7 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Price is $60.00 - ***NOTE*** THIS PROGRAM IS BASED OUT OF CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, CROSSVILLE, TN. ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME.

Event Description: - Friday we will start with a meet and greet at the Rec Lodge around 7:00 pm CST. We will cover outdoor climbing basics, including knot tying and belay technique. - Saturday we will meet at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 am CST to carpool to the Black Mountain climbing area. Once we get to Black Mountain, there is a short hike to the climbing location from the trailhead (1/2 mile). A number of top rope climbs and a 40 ft. rappel will be set up for the day. Climbs range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate/advanced. - Sunday morning we will meet back at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 am CST to carpool to the Black Mountain for another day of climbing. The day ends around 3:00 pm CST, but you are free to leave earlier as needed (please let one of the staff know if you plan to leave early).**The Black Mountain Climbing area does not have restroom facilities, please be prepared for each day. We will be practicing Leave No Trace.

Age restrictions: 18 Years of Age and Older

Price: $60 - instruction and gear for the weekend

Accommodations for Cumberland Mountain State Park:Camping/Cabin reservations - make them online at https:// tnstateparks.com/parks/cumberlandmountain

Please make your camping/cabin reservations ahead of time.Food will not be provided during the course of this workshop. Pack your breakfast, lunch, and snacks for each day. For dinner, we encourage you to bring your own or plan to eat at the Homestead Harvest Restaurant on the park.

Cancellation Deadline/Refund Policy:Participants may cancel no later than Thursday, October 1st, 5:00 PM with a 50% refund. After October 1st, 5:00 PM there will be no refunds for participant cancellation.

Weather Cancellation Policy: There is no alternate date. In the event of a weather related cancellation 10/9/20 or prior we will offer a full refund. In the event of a weather related cancellation 10/9/20 or later, we will consider refunds on a case-by-case basis.

Saturday, October 10

Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - ? - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park . Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Autumn Harvest Festival - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Step back in time with us on Saturday, October 10th at the Miller Farmstead from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Our Autumn Harvest Festival brings guests back into the mid 1800s with historical tours of the Farm, house, and land surrounding the area. The farmstead will be packed with historical demonstrations, games, traditional music, food, crafts, and more! Come out and support these local artists and re-enactors, or join in the fun by calling us to sign up as a vendor or re-enactor today. Vendors and artists may email their interest to Philip.Hylen@ tn.gov or contact (423)547-3947. In case of bad weather, the festival will be moved to the Visitor’s Center. If the festival will be moved, we will post it on our park Facebook page and have a sign re-directing guests from the Farmstead entrance. Meet at: Miller Farmstead

Saturday, October 17

Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - ? - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Gardening Seminar Series: Winterizing Your Garden Beds - 9:00am - 12:00pm - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Meet at: Park Visitor Center. The final session in our gardening seminar series will focus on winterizing your garden beds and getting ready for spring. Gardener extraordinaire, Ben Hunter, will be joining us to share his experiences & techniques for growing the garden of your dreams! Free admission!

Sunday, October 18 - November 1

Small Works Art Show - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Visitor Center Operating Hours. Meet at: Park Visitor Center. Reception: Sunday, October 18, 1:30 pm. Displays of 8 x 10 or smaller works by members of the Watauga Valley Art League are featured during this art event.

Irish Traditional Music Session - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. - An Irish “session” is an informal gathering of musicians who play Irish Traditional Music. It’s like a music jam, but with a set repertoire of tunes and a very specific style. Experienced Irish Traditional Musicians (melody instruments only) are welcome to join. Due to COVID-19, this event is limited to 10 total participants (Irish Musicians) and advance registration is required. CDC recommendations apply. To register, contact the program leader. The price is Free.

Saturday, October 24

Bird Walk - 8 a.m. - ? - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Meet at: Visitor Center Parking Area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Thursday, October 29

Scary Stories at Fort Watauga - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park - 7:30 p.m. - ?. Meet at Fort Watauga. Strange things happen around All Hallows Eve, especially at an old fort by the river. Bring the family and join us for tales of woe and terror, the weird and macabre, with a touch of wit thrown in for good measure. Don’t be afraid, we don’t think Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals is haunted... or is it ?!?!

Saturday-Sunday, November 14-15

Autumn Heritage Living History Weekend - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Meet at: Fort Watauga. Join the festivities at Fort Watauga as the Washington County Militia gather to celebrate recent victories in the War for Independence and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Enjoy demonstrations of 18th century life and living history presentations.

Friday, December 4 - Saturday, December 5

Christmas at the Carter Mansion - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Meet at: Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad St. Elizabethton, TN 37643 Spend a candlelit evening in the oldest frame house in Tennessee, decorated with bright greenery for the holidays. Enjoy music, refreshments and historic interpreters acting out scenes from an 18th century Christmas. This Christmas celebration is by reservation only and space is limited. Registration will open later in the year. Please contact the park during regular operating hours for more information.

Sunday, December 6 - December 16

Winterfest Art Show - Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park - Visitor Center Operating Hours. Meet at: Park Visitor Center. Opening Reception: Sunday, December 6, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Kick off the holidays at Sycamore Shoals! The Watauga Valley Art League exhibition and sale begins with a reception on December 6 with great opportunities for holiday shopping! Artwork from the Watauga Valley Art League will remain on display during regular park hours through December 16.