Revolutionary Days to bring history to life this weekend

RThe Neep wos-With mo re ac tivities than ever before, the days of the American Revolution will come alive again all weekend as the celebration of Revolutionary Days in Washington returns, with men, women, and children in Colonial attire, a parade of patriotic colors, a day full of historic demonstrations and solemn ceremonies.

The Revolutionary Days weekend will bring hands-on living history activities for children. (Photo by Kip Burke) "Imagine Living in Wilkes County during the Revolutionary War" is the theme of Saturday's performances and demonstrations by Colonial personalities. Bill Ramsaur, SAR organizer for the activities, said. "This is your opportunity to ask questions about the American Revolution to persons whom you have discovered in history books."

Visitors will be able to talk with Wilkes County Revolutionary War heroes Colonel John Dooly, Colonel Elijah Clarke, and Nancy Hart, he said. "American Revolution leaders General George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson will be also present. Pa- RTheNe epw os-triots and L oyalist s will compete for your allegiance and recruit for their militia."

There will be black-powder musket demonstrations; archaeologists will discuss recently uncovered artifacts from the battle; and the many Revolutionary War battle flags will be explained. There will be opportunities for children to play several Colonial games and drill with the Revolutionary Wilkes County Militia. Children's Colonial tri-corn hats and mob-caps will be available for purchase.

Visitors will enjoy living history displays in the windows of seven merchants on The Square. "Daughters of Liberty" featuring members of the Kettle Creek Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter will demonstrate hand work and sewing at the Chamber. Betsy Ross will tell her unique story at Petal Pushers Two; Sarah Hillhouse will entertain at Sophie's in the Fitzpatrick Hotel; and a Colonial spinner will perform in the window of Talk of RTheNeepwos-the Town. A new feature in this year's Celebration will be the presence of a merchant offering quality authentic wearing apparel for sale. Debbie and Jake Pitonyak from New York will set up their "Sutler tent" featuring handmade Colonial ladies, men's and children's 18th century garments.

The Washington Fitness Center will feature a puppet show of Colonial music performed by the Children of the American Revolution group from Lawrenceville. A backwoods trapper will display his pelts in the entrance to Grate Fires and a tanner will demonstrate Colonial leatherwork tools. At Master's Wildlife Taxidermy, a Continental Army Surgeon will describe how he attended to wounded soldiers.

Winners of the Washington-Wilkes Elementary and Middle School Revolutionary Days Poster Contest will be in the parade and their posters displayed at The Mary Willis Library during the entire month of February.

Battleground Tours

For years, faculty members from the US Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon have been supporting the annual Kettle Creek celebration by conducting battlefield tours based upon Army historic battlefields research. Army historian Steven Rausch said, "Walking the actual terrain provides a unique insight to the battle that can not be gained from just reading historic documents or books."

He and Army historian Walt Andre will lead guided tours of the battlefield on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. and on Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

On Friday afternoon, Kettle Creek archaeologist Dan Elliott will also participate in the tour to provide insight gained during the recent study of the Battleground. Rauch added, "Meet us at the Monument at War Hill on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning and learn what happened at Kettle Creek over 230 years ago."

Annual Parade

Saturday morning will start with the annual parade at 10 a.m. from the Mary Willis Library to The Square. Leading the parade will be the Georgia Society SAR Color Guard and the Elijah Clarke Militia, joined by Revolutionary War militia personnel from five other states. The Greene County JROTC will return for their annual performance, and a new unit dressed in splendid British red-coats will be the Seventh Regiment of Foot, a JROTC unit from Lawrenceville, Georgia. Washington Wilkes Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Club members, and other youth organizations are invited to walk in the Parade.

All activities are free and everyone is invited participate in the celebration, Washington-Wilkes Tourism Director Ashley Barnett said. "And be sure to shop and dine on The Square while you're here."

Ceremony and Skirmish

at War Hill

The 230th Anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Creek culminates with a solemn wreath presentation ceremony Saturday at 2 p.m.. After the ceremony, the SAR Historic Sites and Celebrations Committee under the direction of Walker Chewning will sponsor a "live" skirmish. Towns added, "It will illustrate how Patriot Colonels Clarke, Dooly and Pickens defeated the much larger forces of Colonel Boyd's Tories. We are pleased to be a part of the Kettle Creek Revolutionary Days activities."

Revolutionary Days activities this year include more observances on Sunday including a Colonial Worship Service and a solemn ceremony in Elijah Clark Park. See below for more information.