Special Events

Upcoming Events at Cowpens National Battlefield

August 27

SC Rangers historic weapons firing demonstrations. Times TBD.

September 10

SC Rangers historic weapons firing demonstrations. Times TBD

October 6, 2022

The Night before Kings Mountain
TBD

 

Previous Events

July 2, 2022

Celebration of Freedom
10:00 am - Movie about the Battle of Cowpens in outdoor theater.
10:30 am - Author talk by Andrew Waters in Museum.
10:30 am - Historic weapons firing demonstration
11:00 am - Movie about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution in outdoor theater.
11:30am - Author talk by Andrew Waters in Museum, followed by a book-signing.
11:30 am - Historic weapons firing demonstration
12:00 pm - Movie about the Battle of Cowpens in outdoor theater.
12:30 pm - Reading of the Declaration of Independence behind Visitor Center.
1:00 pm - Movie about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution in outdoor theater.
1:30 pm - Ranger program about the Battle of Cowpens in Museum.
1:30 pm - Historic weapons firing demonstration
2:00 pm - Movie about the Battle of Cowpens in outdoor theater.
2:30 pm - Historic weapons firing demonstration
3:00 pm - Movie about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution in outdoor theater.
3:30 pm - Ranger program about the Battle of Cowpens in Museum.
3:30 pm - Historic weapons firing demonstration
4:00 pm - Event is over and Visitor Services are closed.

Please note: the visitor center is open from 10:00 - 4:00 at a reduced capacity.

January 15, 2022

Anniversary Commemoration
All scheduled programs for this event will be on the park's Facebook page.
Rangers and reenactors will be onsite to talk with visitors. We do will not have scheduled programs on site.

October 6

On October 6, at 5:00 pm, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association will re-tell the story of the march the overmountain men took to get to Kings Mountain 241 years ago.
In order to continue the tradition of The Night before Kings Mountain while maintaining the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff, please remember that all individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks where physical distancing (staying at least six feet apart) cannot reasonably be maintained. For additional safety of our visitors and for those not able to attend the event, the park will film the program and post to our Facebook page as soon as we can.

July 3 Celebration of Freedom

This event was virtual.

January 16 - 17, 2021
240th Battle Anniversary Commemoration

This will be a virtual event.
Visitors can access programs from the park's Facebook page at Cowpens National Battlefield 240th Virtual Anniversary Celebration | Facebook

Saturday, January 16, 2021

9:15 am Ranger William: Patriot Battle Preparations

9:30 am Ranger Roland: Battle Preparations

10:00 am “Two Days to Cowpens”: Virtual author talk by Robert W. Brown, author of Kings Mountain and Cowpens: Our Victory Was Complete. Email e-mail us to find out how to buy a copy of the book from the America’s National Parks store.

10:45 am Virtual string instrument and vocal performance of 18^th century music by The Sons of Liberty. Email e-mail us to find out how to buy a copy of their albums "A Delightful Recreation" and "Celebrating Early American Musical Traditions" from the America’s National Parks store.

11:30 am “Women in the American Revolution”: Virtual author talk by Dr. Melissa Walker, author of Kings Mountain and Cowpens. Email e-mail us to find out how to buy a copy of the book from the America’s National Parks store.

12:15 pm Virtual Battlefield Walk

1:00 pm “SC Heroines of the American Revolution”: Virtual author talk by Sheila Ingle, author of Courageous Kate, Fearless Martha, and Brave Elizabeth. Email e-mail us to find out how to buy copies of the books from the America’s National Parks store.

1:30 pm Virtual 18^th Century Cavalry talk: The Militia

1:45 pm Virtual Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration: Militia

2:30 pm Virtual 18^th Century Music and Barn Dance by the Wilkes Surry Chapter of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association.

3:15 pm Virtual Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration: Continental

4:00 pm Virtual 18^th Century Cavalry Talk: Dragoon Accoutrements

Sunday, January 17, 2021

9:15 am Guilford Fife & Drum 18^th Century virtual mini concert

10:00 am Virtual Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration: British

10:30 am Virtual 18^th Century Cavalry Demonstration: British Legion Dragoons

10:45 am Virtual 18^th Century Cavalry Demonstration: 17^th Light Dragoons

11:30 am Divine Service (virtual 18th century church service).

12:15 pm Virtual Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration: Artillery

1:00 pm Virtual Wreath ceremony by SAR, DAR, and CAR chapters

1:45 pm Virtual Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration: Militia

2:30 pm “Archaeology: New Insights on the Battle”: Virtual author talk by Dr. Lawrence Babits, author of A Devil of a Whippin’. Email e-mail us to find out how to buy a copy of the book from the America’s National Parks store.

3:15 pm Virtual Historic Weapons Firing Demonstration: Continentals

3:45 pm Virtual 18^th Century Cavalry Talk: 3^rd Continental Light Dragoons

4:00 pm “To the End of the World”: Virtual author talk by Andrew Waters, author of To the End of the World. Email e-mail us to find out how to buy a copy of the book from the America’s National Parks store.

January 9
Race for the Grasshopper

9:00 - 5k

At the close of the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, two American officers raced to capture a British three-pounder cannon, called the “Grasshopper”. We commemorate that race to capture the cannons with a 5 k named for it. Join the race and help commemorate the 240th anniversary of this historic victory!

Participants and spectators should practice social distancing and #RecreateRespsonsibly.

For more information, contact Spartanburg Running Club

 

Previous 2020 Events

January 11
Race for the Grasshopper

8:30 - 1 mile fun run
9:00 - 5k
For more information, contact Spartanburg Running Club

January 18 - 19, 2020 Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, January 18
10:00 am Wreath-laying by SAR, DAR, and CAR chapters at the 1932 US Monument in front of the Visitor Center, followed by procession to the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument.
10:15 am Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
11:00 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
11:30 am Courageous Kate,talk by Sheila Ingle, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
12:15 pm Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
12:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
1:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
1:30 pm British Soldiers, American War, talk by Don Hagist, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
1:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
2:15 pm Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
2:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
3:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
3:30 pm 18th century Music - mini concert by Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
3:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
4:30 pm Interactive cannon drill for children of all ages, Visitor Center Museum.
5:30 pm 18th century Music - mini concert by Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
5:45 pm Lantern walks on the battlefield. Reservations required. (Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.) Walks leave at 5:45, 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, and 6:45. Meet behind the Visitor Center at your ticketed time.
7:00 pm Visitor Center closes.

Sunday, January 19
10:30 am Divine Service (18th century church service), Bruce Jennings and Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
11:00 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
11:15 am Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
11:45 am Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
12:30 pm 18th century Music - mini concert by Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
12:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
1:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
1:15 pm Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
1:30 pm They Were Good Soldiers: African-Americans Serving in the the Continental Army, 1775 - 1783, talk by John Rees, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
1:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
2:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
3:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
5:00 pm Visitor Center and park close.

Both Days

• Park movie on the hour in the Visitor Center.
• All activities are FREE!
• Featured authors will be available to sign books in the Visitor Center for an hour following their respective talks.
• For your safety and that of the horses, park regulations prohibit visitors from getting within 6 feet of the horses.

Children’s Activities
12:30 - 3:30 both days - Hands-on activities for families in the Children’s Tent, behind the Visitor Center. Changes to the following schedule will be posted on the chalkboard outside the Children’s Tent.

Saturday Sunday
12:30 Sachets 12:30 Flag Design
1:30 Powder Horns 1:30 Arrowhead Necklaces
2:30 Tricorn Hats 2:30 Toss Toys

Musket drilling with dummy guns.
Saturday Sunday
1:15 1:15
2:15 2:15
3:15

May 9
Living History Day - SC Rangers (American Militia) weapons firing demonstrations 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 park closure.

June 6
Living History Day - 1st Maryland - Southern Campaign (American Continentals) Historic weapons firings 10:20, 11:45, 1:20, and 2:20.

July 4
Virtual Celebration of Freedom - There will be no on site programming.

Cowpens National Battlefield’s annual Celebration of Freedom event will be a little different as it will not be held onsite this year. This event will be completely virtual, with all programs being posted on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CowpensNationalBattlefield/) throughout the day on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

The schedule for the day is:

9:30 am – Guided Battlefield Walk by Cowpens National Battlefield Rangers

10:30 am – Re-release of the 18th Artillery Drill video by the 2015 Youth Conservation Corps

11;30 am – Reading of the Declaration of Independence by volunteers and staff.

12:30 pm – 18^th Century Small Arms Talk and Musket Firing Demonstration by park staff

1:30 pm –Dummy Gun Drill by park staff (Use a broom or stick if you do not have a dummy gun at home.)

2:30 pm –Musket Firing Demonstration by South Carolina Independent Rangers

3:30 Regimental Flag Design, by park staff

Even if you are not able to join us when the videos initially air, all of the videos will still appear on the park’s Facebook page. We will also post video content to the park website (www.nps.gov/cowp/) after the event for viewing later.

For more information, email the park at e-mail us.

We hope you’ll join us “virtually” on July 4 for a Celebration of Freedom!

October 6

The Night before Kings Mountain - Outdoor drama telling the story of the overmountain men's march to participate in the Battle of Kings Mountain. **Due to our current limited services, this annual event will not be hosted by the National Park Service, but instead by our partners at the City of Gaffney! For more information about this great partner event, please call [phone], email [e-mail], or check it out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GaffneySCEvents/**

 

Previous 2019 Events

June 1
Living History Day - 1st Maryland - Southern Campaign (American Continentals) Historic weapons firings 10:20, 11:45, and 1:20.

June 15
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.

July 6
Celebration of Freedom -
9:45 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

10:15 Reading of the Declaration of Independence - 20 minutes. Tell a ranger at the desk if you would like to read a short section.

10:45 Ranger-guided Battlefield Walk - 1 hour

11:15 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

11:45 American Leadership at the Battle of Cowpens, Panel Discussion with authors Jim Stempel and Al Zambone - 45 minutes - followed by book signings in the Visitor Center - 1 hour

12:45 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

1:30 Ranger-guided Battlefield Walk - 1 hour

2:15 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

11:00 - 2:00 Children's Activities - various games and crafts

Planned activities may change without notice.

August 24
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.

September 7
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.
September 14-15
Living History Weekend - Mecklenburg Militia, weapons firing demonstrations Saturday only10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20.

October 6
Outdoor Drama - The Night before Kings Mountain, 6:00 pm.
This is a living history/outdoor drama depicting the activities of the overmountain men in the 2 weeks leading up to the Battle of Kings Mountain.

November 9
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.

November 12
Drama - Actor Howard Burnham portrays Lord Cornwallis in two 15-minute programs, 2:00 and 3:00, Visitor Center museum.