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Preparations complete for Revolutionary Days celebration
"Everyone should come out and participate in the Revolutionary Days - Kettle Creek Celebration weekend February 8, 9, and 10. Have some fun while learning about how Georgia played an important part in the forming of our own great nation," said Washington-Wilkes Tourism Director Ashley Barnett. "It is essential that each year we take time to remember and show our appreciation for our Patriot ancestors who put everything on the line for us in order to gain our freedom," said George Thurmond, South Atlantic Regional Vice-President of the Sons of the American Revolution. This is best done, he said, "by attending funfilledand dignified programs in Washington and at the Kettle Creek Battleground during Revolutionary Days."
The weekend's activities begin at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon at the Mary Willis Library with a presentation by Dr. Christine Swager, Revolutionary War author, entitled "Georgia Militia after Kettle Creek." Also on Friday afternoon, entries in the Kettle Creek Poster Contest will be displayed at the Mary Willis Library. Washington- Wilkes Middle School eighth grade students created the posters during their social studies classes. "We provided reference material about the Battle of Kettle Creek which the students used to illustrate their interpretation of the battle and Wilkes County during the Revolution," said Lillie Crowe, Library Director.
A full day of Saturday activities for young and old begins at 8:30 a.m. with a showing of the Kettle Creek video at the Mary Willis Library. U.S. Army Historians from Fort Gordon, Dr. Walt Andrae and Steven Rauch, will provide a brief summary of the battle and answer questions. The Army-produced video will be available at the Library for "on demand" showing throughout the day. At 10 a.m., members of the Children, Daughters, and Sons of the American Revolution organizations, including SAR Color Guards in Continental Army uniforms and militia attire, Revolutionary War re-enactors, and local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other youth organizations will participate in a parade.
A ceremony in front of the courthouse will acknowledge the naming of the City of Washington as a result of an act of the Georgia Legislature on January 23, 1780. Then, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Nancy Hart, and many others will perform in living history demonstrations on The Square. The theme for the living history activities will be "Imagine Living in Wilkes County During the Revolutionary War." There will be about 10 activities for children on The Square, including learning to play Colonial games and learning how to march with muskets. One exhibit will feature Colonial ladies and children's clothing and another exhibit will include a demonstration of Colonial spinning techniques. When children have completed at least fiveactivities, they can "report" to the Militia who will help them sign an oath of allegiance and receive their reward. Black tricorn hats ($3) and white mob caps ($2) will be available for the participants to purchase. One of the planned participants, Ted Smith from Cornelia, Georgia, said, "Living history activities are a way to have fun while learning about history and our ancestors, including their hardships and sacrifices during the American Revolution." Throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. an open house will be held at the Washington Historical Museum. Stephanie Macchia, Museum Curator said, "the exhibit will include our interpretation of the Battle of Kettle Creek with information about Colonels Elijah Clarke, Andrew Pickens, and John Dooly." The exhibit will include several artifacts, including a chair previ- ously owned by Andrew Pickens, a note signed by Elijah Clarke, a first edition printing of "Hero of the Hornets Nest, A Biography of Elijah Clarke," and George Washington items including his map book. Out at the Kettle Creek Battleground, located ten miles from Washington off SR 44, Saturday activities start with walking tours. U.S. Army historians will conduct walking tours from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., tracing the steps of the Loyalists and the Patriots as they fought for three hours on February 14, 1779. Army historian Dr. Walt Andrae said, "The tour will orient visitors to the directions and options open to the opposing forces. It covers the events that led up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath. The walking tour of the actual battle site, along with a discussion of the conditions and environmental factors, provides a sense of the battle that can only be achieved by covering the ground much as the combatants once did." Saturday's highlight will be the pageantry at the 2 p.m. battleground memorial ceremony at the Kettle Creek Monument on the top of War Hill. Wreath presentations by the various organizations and descendants will honor the memory of the Patriots who fought. The Kettle Creek DAR Chapter will decorate the commemorative markers that list the names of the battle participants. Participants in the on-going battlefield archaeological study will discuss early study findings. Mayor Willie Burns said prior ceremonies had a positive impact on the award of the archeological study. He said, "An archeological survey at the Kettle Creek Battle- ground has been a dream for over 35 years. The close cooperation between the DAR, SAR, City of Washington and Wilkes County enabled us to secure federal funding for this important undertaking." Burns added, "The study will give us the scientific foundation to develop educational materials for our children and to enhance living history presentations that will preserve the sacrifice of those who fought to give us our country." Sunday will begin with a Colonial Church Service held at the Bethel United Methodist Church at 9 a.m., and sponsored by the Georgia Society SAR Chaplaincy Corps. Bethel Church is located on Skull Shoals Road, about seven miles from Washington off SR 44. Representatives of the Children, Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution organizations will gather at 11:30 a.m. at the gravesite of Elijah Clarke for a ceremony to recognize his part in the successful Battle of Kettle Creek. Additional living history activities are scheduled at the Elijah Clark State Park near Lincolnton on Sunday. "Citizens of Wilkes County played an important part in the American Revolution," said Sam Moore, Chairman of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners. "Many families in our area have ancestors who fought in the Battle of Kettle Creek. We appreciate the efforts of the DAR and SAR to sponsor this event and give these Patriots the recognition which they deserve. We look forward to another outstanding Revolutionary Days Celebration this year."
Most Revolutionary Days activities are free and the public is encouraged toattend. For further info call the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce at706-678-2013.
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