Where: Hurricane Shoals Park, Jackson County
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 12:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday
Attractions: Historical demonstrations, tours, musical performances and a variety of foods for sale
Cost: Free parking and admission
Contact: For more information, visit their Web site or call Becky Perry at 706-335-6723
Tucked away in Jackson County between Jefferson and Maysville lies Hurricane Shoals Park.
It is more than a place to enjoy the great outdoors; it is also steeped in Jackson County history.
It was on that land that the first Jackson County settlers made their home in 1784 and where the county’s first church was built four years later. In 1790, the Union Furnace Co. established a foundry that later produced cannon balls and ammunition for the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Hurricane Shoals was known as Yamacutah to the members of the Creek and Cherokee Indian tribes prior to settlers arriving in the late 1700s. Yamacutah was considered neutral ground to the tribes and bloodshed was not allowed, not even the blood of animals killed by hunters.
It is history like this that the members of the Tumbling Waters Society hope to preserve and acknowledge this weekend during the 19th Annual Art in the Park Festival at Hurricane Shoals Park.
“Our first objective is to expose as many people as possible to the natural beauty of the park,” said society member Becky Perry. “We also want to bring awareness that it is a historical site. So much Jackson County history is located in that one place.”
During the event, the 18th Jackson County Volunteer Infantry and Cobb’s Legion will be conducting drills, battles and live history demonstrations in the park’s Heritage Village. There will also be basket weaving, quilting and blacksmithing demonstrations.
Visitors to the park will also be able to tour the restored church and log cabins from the 1800s.
The event, which is Saturday and Sunday, will also showcase the talents of area crafters, who will be selling everything from snakeskin bracelets to stained glass.
The Spirit of the River Miniature Golf Course will also be open during the festival. Each hole of the course provides insight into history of the park and the people who lived in the surrounding area.
“The Tumbling Waters Society helps the county maintain the park,” said Perry. “The festival is our main fundraiser and 100 percent of the proceeds are used for park improvements.”