T.O. Fuller hosts Fullerfest on Aug. 4
(West) Join us on August 4 as we celebrate Tennessee State Park's 75th Anniversary. Enjoy a day filled with interpretive programs relating to the history of Tennessee State Parks and T.O.Fuller. This family-friendly event includes a car show, arts & crafts, music (live DJ) and food. For more information call 901-543-7581.
Red Clay hosts 30th Annual Cherokee Days of Recognition on Aug. 4 & 5
(East) This event honors the Cherokee people, their history, culture and craftsmanship. Featured programs include Cherokee traditional and fancy dances, storytellers, music, living history demonstrators, native foods and more. Parking $5 donation. For more information call 423-478-0339.
Sycamore Shoals hosts 10th Annual Elizabethton Butterfly Count on Aug. 5
(East) 9 a.m. & 1 p.m. ET. Meet naturalist Don Holt at Sycamore Shoals for this day-long winged adventure across town. Come for all or part of the day. Sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association & Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. (Rain Date to be announced). For more information contact the park at (423)543-5808.
August 12-14 events
Edgar Evins hosts 75th Birthday Party for TN State Parks on Aug. 9
(Middle) Join Edgar Evins staff, the Friends of Edgar Evins and special guests from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. CT for a 75th birthday party for Tennessee State Parks. Opening ceremony includes special guest speaker, former State Senator and 13th Judicial District Chancellor for 26 years, The Honorable Vernon Neal of Cookeville TN. Senator Neal was instrumental in the development of Edgar Evins State Park. Additional special guests who were instrumental in the development of DeKalb County, Center Hill Lake and Edgar Evins State Park will also be attending. Birthday cake and refreshments will be served (while they last!) in the camper registration building after the opening ceremonies. Shuttle vans will be available for guests to tour the park and immediate area. For more information call 931-858-2446.
David Crockett hosts David Crockett Days on Aug. 10 & 11
(Middle) Living history event to celebrate Crockett's Birthday. Black powder shooting matches, tomahawks throwing competition, traders, food and more! For more information call 931-762-9408.
Frozen Head hosts Heritage Day and 75th Anniversary on Aug. 11
(Plateau) Join us for a celebration of the folk music and crafts of traditional Appalachian and Cumberland Plateau culture. Activities include craftspeople, musicians, and primitive and traditional weapon demonstrations throughout the day. There are plenty of activities geared for the younger crowd - kids will enjoy a variety of games, storytelling, and making corn husk dolls. Food vendors will be on site with delicious plate lunches, funnel cakes, and more. This family-friendly event is free to all. In addition to celebrating our annual Heritage Day, Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area will be honoring our 75th Anniversary. For more information please contact Ranger Michael Hodge at 423-346-3318 or email at michael.e.hodge@tn.gov.
Cumberland Mountain hosts CCC Hike on Aug. 11
(Plateau) Meet at the park office at 10 a.m. CT for a hike along Byrd Creek a trail built by the CCC. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for appropriate weather, & bring water. For more information call 931-484-6138.
Fort Loudoun hosts Cherokee Victory on Aug. 11 & 12
(East) This living history event commemorates the Cherokee victory over the British at Fort Loudoun in 1760. Event hours are 10 a.m. ET until 5 p.m. ET. For more information call 423-884-6217.
August 19-21 events
Big Ridge hosts Bluegrass 75th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 17
(East) We are celebrating 75 years of Tennessee State Parks and 30 years of Bluegrass at Big Ridge! In addition to our 30th annual Big Ridge Bluegrass Festival, we will have cultural demonstrations and activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our State Park System. Please join us! Music starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. For more information call 865-992-5523.
Fall Creek Falls hosts Astronomy Weekends on Aug. 17 & 18
(Plateau) Join us at the Inn for discussions regarding constellations, lunar lore, and our brightest star, the Sun. Telescope viewing will also be offered, weather permitting. For more information, email Lloyd Watkins at watkinslk@comcast.net, or visit www.CumberlandAstronomicalSociety.org.
Davy Crockett Birthplace hosts Crockett Days on Aug. 17-19
(East) Join park staff, and local historical interpreters for a 3-day event celebrating the birth of David Crockett, pioneer, political leader, and one of Tennessee and Greene County's most famous sons. Explore living history demonstrations depicting life on the frontier, activities, workshops, kid's games, crafts, period food and music.all activities will highlight early Pioneer life in Tennessee. Event begins at 12 p.m. ET on Friday and includes a special Tennessee State Parks 75th Anniversary tribute at 4 p.m. ET at the visitor center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on Saturday; and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. There is no fee for this event but donations to the Pioneer Friends Group are greatly appreciated. For more information call 423-257-2167 or contact: Mark.Halback@tn.gov.
Frozen Head hosts Volunteer Trail Day on Aug. 18
(Plateau) 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET. The public is invited to join us in maintaining the park's trails. Tools will be provided. Volunteers should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions including rain and snow. Bring food, water and a daypack. Some areas require hiking one to two miles in rugged terrain. First time volunteers must complete a liability form. Located in the beautiful Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee, Frozen Head State Park is easy to find. From the Interstate 40 exit 347 at Harriman take Hwy. 27 North to Wartburg. Turn right (East) on Hwy. 62. Travel two miles and turn left on Flat Fork Road. Travel 4 miles to the park entrance. For more information please contact Ranger Michael Hodge at 423-346-3318 or email at michael.e.hodge@tn.gov.
Fall Creek Falls hosts 10k & Triathlon on Aug. 18 & 19
(Plateau) Push your limits in a 1.5km swim followed by a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. There will be a 10k on Saturday morning as well! For more information on this event contact Kevin Mahan by email at kevin@endurancesportsmanagement. com or call 865-988-3906.
Cumberland Mountain hosts CCC Hike on Aug. 25
(Plateau) Hike along the Pioneer Trail, a trail built by the CCC, and learn a variety of things from plant id and water ecology to history of the CCC. 10 a.m. Meet at the boat dock at 10 a.m. CT. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for appropriate weather, & bring water. For more information call 931-484-6138.
Couchville Cedar Glade SNA hosts Sunset Stroll on Aug. 25
(Middle) Join Robin Wooten, Tennessee Natural Areas Program & Jason Allen, Naturalist, Friends of Long Hunter State Park for a very special sunset walk through this beautiful cedar glade natural area at Long Hunter State Park. Participants will be able to view a variety of flowering plants including Tennessee Coneflower before the sun sets. We should be able to see and possibly hear nightjars, swallows and bats. The stroll will be easy and last approximately two hours. Be sure to bring your camera! Meet at 6 p.m. CT at the parking lot for Couchville Glade. Reservations are required; contact Robin at 615-532-4799 or Robin.Wooten@tn.gov.
Long Hunter hosts 9th Annual Lost Loon Triathlon on Aug. 26
(Middle) This annual event is a family favorite. The Lost Loon Triathlon consists of nine miles of biking, two miles of canoeing and four miles of running/walking. Racers may participate in all segments or just one. About half the racers are fit and competitive athletes. There are a number of weekend warriors, dawdlers and walkers. There is no official clock or time limit. The idea is to have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. The race is capped at 75 teams and fills up quickly every year. Everyone is invited and encouraged to join in the race or help as avolunteer or cheerleader. Please keep in mind that the 2012 Lost Loon is also the "Last Lost Loon." For complete details including registration information visit www.lostloons.com or call 615-885-2422.
Tims Ford hosts TN State Parks 75th Anniversary on Aug. 31
(Middle) Join us at 1 p.m. CT at the visitor center to help Tims Ford celebrate the 75th Anniversary of TN State Parks. The celebration is open to the public with a hike planned after the cake cutting that will focus on the History of Tims Ford. (The parks 34th birthday is Saturday September 1st.). Before the hike, enjoy a presentation about the park, its impact on the area and what future plans are in store for Tims Ford. For more information call 931-962-1183.
