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 (864) 487-6244, email events@getintogaffney.com, or check it out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GaffneySCEvents/**