Young patriots are an important part of the annual Revolutionary Days celebration, and are welcome to march in next Saturday’s big parade around Washington. To encourage the participation of local kids in next weekend’s Revolutionary Days celebration, children 12 and under, as well as their historically costumed parents, will be admitted free of charge to the Washington Historical Museum, the Robert Toombs House Historic Site and Callaway Plantation.

“With the gracious assistance of the city and county administrations,” said Thomas Owen, Living History Coordinator, “we are offering free admission to those historic sites for children 12 and under, along with any historically costumed living history parent on Saturday February 11.”

As sponsoring chapters of the celebration, Owen said, the Washington Wilkes Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and the Kettle Creek Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will participate in living history portrayals of the life in Revolutionary times throughout the city.

“Parents are encouraged to bring their children and experience the 18th-century toy and ‘traveling trunk’ demonstrations at the historical museum’s Revolutionary room,” Owen said, “and they can walk through history at the Robert Toombs House amid re-enactors with spinning wheels, music and period dress; or visit the Callaway Plantation for a portrayal of 19th-century Wilkes County farm life. This is a great opportunity to share Wilkes County history and with the families of Wilkes County.”

As in years past, history will come alive at 9 a.m. Saturday morning in Washington’s town Square, Tourism Director Erin Pollock said, with performances by Revolutionary War personalities and colonial life demonstrations.

The public is invited to the Mary Willis Library by 10 a.m. Saturday morning to join the Revolutionary Days Parade. Led by the Sons of the American Revolution with Revolutionary War battle flags, everyone is encouraged to participate in colonial or patriotic colors. Prizes will be given for the best-decorated groups and individuals. After forming at the library, the parade will proceed to The Square and end at Fort Washington Park.

After the parade, re-enactors will demonstrate a skirmish from the Battle of Kettle Creek, said Walker Chewning, Georgia Sons of the American Revolution Chairman of the 2012 celebration. “But to make it available to more people, the portrayal will be conducted on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Washington Park, behind the courthouse,” he added.

“Celebration of History” will be the theme for the Saturday morning living history activities. Re-enactors portraying General George Washington, Elijah Clarke, Nancy Hart, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson will be among those present.

Visitors can also learn about Austin Dabney, a Wilkes County slave who fought with Elijah Clarke and who is being honored with a bust and memorial on The Square to be dedicated later this year.

“There will be opportunities to play Colonial games, drill with the Georgia Militia, learn about the Revolutionary War battle flags, sign a Patriot’s Oath and see demonstrations of daily life, such as spinning, weaving, trapping, leatherwork and other colonial crafts,” Chewning said. “You can see and touch items like those sold in Wilkes County by a traveling merchant and used by soldiers in military service. Performers will be playing colonial instruments including the violin and dulcimer.”

The Mary Willis Library will be a focal point for several of the activities, Bartram Trail Regional Librarian Lillie Crowe said. “On Saturday morning at 8:30, we will host the Battle of Kettle Creek video and feature Dr. Christine Swager, author of five Revolutionary War books including Heroes of Kettle Creek.”

The Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School Key Club will sponsor a barbecue lunch served at the library.

Saturday’s highlight will be the pageantry of the Battleground Memorial Ceremony starting at 3 p.m. at the War Hill Monument at the Kettle Creek Battleground. Patriotic music, wreath presentations, and musket volleys will honor the Patriots. “Come and help us remember our Patriot ancestors and their sacrifices, and feel proud to be an American,” said Bobby Towns, past Georgia Society SAR President and coordinator of the Memorial Ceremony.

Dr. Swager will kick off the Revolutionary Days weekend celebration with a presentation at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon at the Mary Willis Library. Her topic will be “Elijah Clarke’s Militia at Kettle Creek.”

Sunday morning at 9 a.m., a Colonial worship service will be conducted at Phillips Mill Baptist Church with many attendees worshipping in Colonial attire.

In addition, David Jenkins, past President of the Washington-Wilkes SAR Chapter, said that representatives of the CAR, DAR, and SAR will gather with the public at 11 a.m. Sunday in the Elijah Clark State Park near Lincolnton. “The ‘Heroes of the Hornet’s Nest’ Ceremony will honor the memory of Elijah Clarke, John Dooly, and other members of the Wilkes County Militia,” Jenkins said.

Most Revolutionary Days activities are free and everyone is encouraged to attend. For further information, call the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce at 706-678-2013.