The Rogersville Heritage Association has released the schedule for the festival, which as usual kicks off the second Friday in October with the Children’s Parade, Chili Cookoff and classic car Cruise-In.
The theme of the Children’s Parade is “Celebrating the People of Our Heritage.”
Registration for the children’s costume contest and parade will begin at 4:15 p.m. in the parking lot in front of First Baptist Church. Judging will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the parade at 5:30.
The parade is sponsored by US Bank, the Rogersville Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce and Walmart.
The First Community Bank Great Chili Cookoff will be held in conjunction with the Cruise-In. Cooking begins at 3 p.m. in the courtyard of the Hale Springs Inn, with judging at 5:30, and visitors are invited to enjoy live entertainment with a beer garden in the Gazebo beginning at 5 p.m.
Other events on Friday, Oct. 12
The Heritage Days food court on South Depot Street will be open from 5-9 p.m.
Rogersville Main Street and Random Rods Car Club will host the final Cruise-In of the season with a parade of more than 100 vintage automobiles (pre 1980) from 6-9 p.m.
During the Cruise-In, Ivy Road will perform at the Main Stage on the Town Square beginning at 6 p.m.
Events on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14
On Saturday, the festival’s opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on the courthouse lawn. Uniformed representatives of the Sons of the American Revolution accompanied by the Cherokee High School drum line will conduct a flag ceremony.
The national anthem will be sung by the Cherokee High School Chorale and the invocation conducted by Rev. Sheldon Livesay from One Accord Ministries.
The festival opens immediately after the ceremony with dozens of demonstrations highlighting heritage skills including toy making, whittling, blacksmithing, needlework, basket weaving, apple butter stirring, master gardening, chair caning, handmade turkey calls, broom making, long hunting, beekeeping, living history and others.
The Davis Grist Mill and Antique Farm Equipment exhibit will be on display on South Depot Street.
Artisan craft booths will line four blocks of Main and Church streets. The Young’uns Yard, sponsored by Farm Bureau at the corner of Depot and Washington, offers old-fashioned games, inflatables, balloon art and face painting.
The Dance Stage on Washington Street, featuring the award-winning Tennessee Hoedowners, will offer nonstop entertainment throughout the festival.
Saturday’s music on the Main Stage highlights bluegrass, country and pop, while Sunday will showcase gospel music. Visitors should bring a lawn chair and plan on spending the day.
The 12th Tennessee Calvary Battalion, B Company, Civil War re-enactment will return to Crockett Springs Park on Saturday only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Events for all three days
The Art and Photography Show, sponsored by Holston Electric, offers categories for children, youth and adults.
Seven categories of art will be judged, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, needlework, photographs, enhanced photographs, and other three-dimensional art. The Art Show will be exhibited in the community room of US Bank on Main Street.
The Quilt Show, sponsored by Hawkins County Gas Utility, will be exhibited in the Hawkins County Courthouse on Main Street.
Entry forms for the Art and Photography Show, Quilt Show and Great Chili CookOff are available online at www.rogersvilleheritage.org.
For more information, contact the Rogersville Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce office at (423) 272-2186.
Heritage Days schedule:
Friday, October 12
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. — First Community Bank Great Chili Cookoff, Hale Springs Inn Courtyard
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. — Mary’s Spirit and Fine Wines moonshine tasting, 212 Washington St.
5 p.m. – 6 p.m. — Live music in the Gazebo, Hale Springs Inn
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. — Swift Museum Soul Food Dinner. Reservations required. Call (423) 921-3888
4:15 p.m. — Registration, Children’s Parade, First Baptist Church parking lot, West Main Street
5:00 p.m. — Costume judging
5:30 p.m. — Children’s Parade, Main Street
6 p.m. — Cruise-In on the Square, historic district
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. — Ivy Road, Main Stage beside Hale Springs Inn
Saturday, October 13
9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Civil War re-enactment, Crockett Springs Park
10 a.m. — Opening ceremony, Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, Cherokee High School Drum Corps, national anthem by the CHS Chorale and invocation by Sheldon Livesay
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Craft booths, food court, Demonstrators Yard, Young’uns’ Yard, Quilt Show, Antique Farm Equipment Show, Mixed Media Art Show, Dance Stage and Music on the Main Stage
12 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Mary’s Spirit and Fine Wines moonshine tasting, 212 Washington St.
12:00 p.m. — Antique Tractor Parade
Sunday, October 14
12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. — Craft booths, food court, Demonstrators Yard, Young’uns Yard, Quilt Show, Antique Farm Equipment Show, Mixed Media Art Show, Dance Stage, and Music on the Main Stage
12 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Mary’s Spirit and Fine Wines moonshine tasting at 212 Washington St.
2 p.m. – Antique Tractor Parade
2 p.m. – Historical Fashion Show, Hale Springs Inn Courtyard, sponsored by Hawkins County 4-H Sewing Club
More news about 2018 Rogersville Heritage Days:
Rogersville Heritage Days: Entertainment lineup includes 16 musical acts and 14 dance groups
Rogersville Heritage Days: Deadline for art show entries is Thursday
Rogersville Heritage Days: Fun for kids begins Friday with costume contest, parade
Rogersville Heritage Days: Everything you need to know about the quilting show
Rogersville Heritage Days kicks off Oct. 12 with 'Great Chili Cookoff'