By Reba Beck
Guest Writer
The Historical & Arts Council is making final plans for the Clay County Heritage Day to be held at the Hayesville Heritage Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.
The park, next to the Cherokee Homestead Village, will be the scene for demonstrations of everyday activities that were necessities of life in years past.
Visitors can get a close-up view of sblacksmithing, quilting, churning and washing on a rubboard, among other activities. There will be basket making, wood carving and gourd decorating..
Get a taste of days-gone-by when checking in with the “tasting station” to get a sample of venison chili, goat cheese and jellies. Hear the sound of old-time music when Annie Fain and Ger’Aud Barralon bring the park to life with their banjo and fiddle.
Tribal member Davy Arch will share about his Cherokee heritage and Leigh Padgett will share the story of her great-grandfather, Nelse Rogers. There will be a special genealogy event planned for local residents to bring their family histories to share.
Everyone can bring their family tree already on two pages either typed or written legibly to be include in a notebook. When visitors come to the Old Jail Museum to check on their family roots, this notebook will be available as a reference.
There will be forms available for those who want to complete with names, dates of birth and death, cemetery where buried and other information they want to include on the space allocated. There will be additional pages for those who want to share both sides of their family trees.
Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Clay County from years ago. Don’t miss it.