News Release

Kings Mountain National Military Park Commemorates 237th Battle Anniversary, October 6-7, 2017

Date: October 5, 2017
Contact: Vanessa Smiley, 864-461-2828

Blacksburg, SC – This weekend more than 30 reenactors in Revolutionary War period clothing will bring the 18th century to life, and visitors can hear different perspectives about the American Revolution, as Kings Mountain National Military Park presents traditional and new activities during the annual battle anniversary celebration. All activities are free and open to the public.

On Saturday, October 7th, camps are open 9-5 with a variety of demonstrations (trades & crafts, cooking, weapons, fife and drum, children’s activities, etc.). Kid’s area is open 11:30-4:30, with a scheduled activity every hour. On Sunday, October 8th, camps are open 9-3 and the kid’s area is open 11-3, with a scheduled activity every hour. Free Lantern tours of the battlefield will start at 7 pm on Saturday (pre-registration is required). To register, call the park at [phone].

For a complete schedule of programs or for more details about the Saturday and Sunday battle commemoration, please visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/kimo or call the [phone].

If you are visiting the park for our big anniversary weekend event on Saturday, be sure to make time for the keynote speaker at our 3:00 pm anniversary ceremony: Patrick Elswick, Director of Public Relations for the When Life Sucks Foundation, an organization that exists to strengthen veterans and their families in the fight to heal from trauma and live well.

Superintendent John Slaughter encourages everyone in the region to help celebrate the anniversary of this pivotal battle, "This is YOUR National Park! What happened here on this mountain gave all Americans great confidence to take the fight all the way to victory. Our nation's freedom was secured right here in YOUR backyard."

If you are looking for something to do on Friday night, come out to Cowpens National Battlefield on Friday, October 6th, at 6:00pm for "The Night Before Kings Mountain," a special outdoor drama presented by the Overmountain Victory Trail Association. Come hear the story of Patriot militia pursuing Ferguson!

This is a FEE-FREE event, and reservations are NOT required! Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to witness history! For more details about the Friday night performance, contact Cowpens National Battlefield at [phone].

Also, don’t forget to check out our partners in Gaffney, SC for the 2017 South Carolina Humanities Festival with programming throughout the weekend. Visit www.getintogaffney.com or call [phone] for more details.

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Kings Mountain National Military Park is part of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks Group, which also includes Cowpens National Battlefield, Ninety Six National Historic Site, and Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Each park tells its own piece to the overall Southern Campaign story, where the military events that took place in the Carolinas substantially influenced the eventual American victory in the Revolution. For more information about each park, please visit their websites:

Cowpens National Battlefield – www.nps.gov/cowp

Kings Mountain National Military Park – www.nps.gov/kimo

Ninety Six National Historic Site – www.nps.gov/nisi

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail – www.nps.gov/ovvi

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