Friday, September 11, 2009
Anticipation grows for Heritage Days in Fincastle
Kip Burton
Priscilla Richardson is columnist The Botetourt View. You can contact her at 981-3430 or via e-mail.
Priscilla Richardson
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A great reason to live in Botetourt? Its history and heritage. So Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. til 5 p.m., and Sunday the 20th, noon til 5 p.m., you can enjoy both by going to Fincastle for Historic Fincastle's Heritage Days.
Start by admiring documents signed by Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Robert E. Lee displayed in the court house. And use this opportunity to check out all the new exhibits at the Botetourt County Historical Society Museum right next door.
Around the Early cabin, John Graham, the president of the Civil War Roundtable, is presenting a living history exhibit. "There won't be a battle or a skirmish," Graham said. "And definitely no Yankees." But there will be a group portraying a Botetourt company of the 60th Virginia Infantry in an encampment. You can experience life the way Civil War era troops did, with things such as mail call and drilling.
An area near the courthouse will celebrate our political heritage. Near the booths set up by the parties you'll find a sycamore tree stump. Just hop up and express your views. You don't have to be running for office.
Plus you can go on a hayride, see crafts demonstrations and view art shows. And shop. Never forget shopping.
Parking? Lynn Bolton and Carol Brenner have arranged free parking at Breckinridge Elementary School, and a shuttle to take you into town. If that lot fills up, there are two more. The shuttle will drop you off either behind the courthouse or near the public library. Some of the churches in town will be offering paid parking.
It wouldn't be a festival without music. So Kip Burton has lined up a schedule of performances for both days at various locations. And it's all free except for The Wright Kids' three performances at the Fincastle United Methodist Church's Family Life Center, just across the street from the library.
Burton, 64, a former Tar Heel, describes himself as having a "propensity for collecting critters." Critters including snakes, which he captures live, though he doesn't keep them. "If I'm out riding a horse and catch one and want to take it home to show the kids, I have to walk home. A horse does not want any part of that deal."
After 21 years as a Navy pilot, including 300 combat missions while serving three duty tours during the Vietnam conflict, he came back to Virginia, wife Lyn and civilian flying. "We didn't want to stay in Tidewater, so for years we searched all over the western part of Virginia and finally stumbled on [our] place."
That means a stage stop log structure that was built in 1870. "We still have the original part with the original floor and fireplace." He keeps busy with looking after his horses and enjoying his grandchildren. And with doing volunteer work for HFI.
This only touches on some of what HFI has for you for Heritage Days. Come see it all!
