Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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16 UCW SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2018 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Re-enactors in full Colonial attire will perform daily tasks of the late 18th century. know in the stay www.upandcomingweekly.com We can help you learn what is happening in and around Fayetteville! In print and online! 208 Rowan St. 910.484.6200 EVENTS Step back in time at the Festival of Yesteryear by AVERY POWERS Every year in early autumn, Fayetteville celebrates the birthday of its namesake, the Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier – the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette defied French King Louis XVI's orders and sailed the Atlantic to assist the American reb- els in 1777. Though many cities have been named after him, Fayetteville is the only namesake city the young Frenchman ever visited. Birthday celebration activities take place all over Fayetteville Sept. 7-8, and one mainstay is the Festival of Yesteryear. Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visit Arsenal Park downtown to get a taste of life during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. Re-enactors in full Colonial attire will be per- forming daily tasks of the late 18th century, includ- ing woodworking, spinning and militia drills. This event focuses on history you can experi- ence. "We like to demonstrate Colonial life for people in the community so they can ... see what life was like (back then)," said Megan Maxwell, director for the 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear. The Festival of Yesteryear showcases several perspectives on the Colonial era, including those of patriots, loyalists, slaves and Native Americans. Both the Highland Regiment militia group, repre- senting the loyalists, and the Wilmington District Minutemen, representing the patriots of Moore's Creek battlefield, will set up camp and welcome visitors throughout the day. In the morning, the Highland Dancers will march alongside the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums at 10:30 a.m. for a performance of traditional Scottish music and dance. "This event is included because Fayetteville was founded by Scottish highlanders and loyalists," Maxwell said. Returning this year is the "The Death of Blackbeard" puppet show performed by the living history group Shades of Our Past at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The group will also offer silhouette draw- ings for a fee. Also returning is Life as Art Productions' April C. Turner as she performs "African Spirituals: Freedom Prayers" at 2 p.m. According to Maxwell, this 40-minute performance has more to it than just a good time. "Turner reveals what life was like for an enslaved person during the early days of Colonial North Carolina through songs and dances," she said. New to the festival this year, a historian will share about Native American hunting practices and per- spectives on Colonial life. Musket and cannon fir- ings will take place at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Various other performers, groups and artisans will participate in the event as well, including Camp Flintlock, the North Carolina Highland Regiment, woodworker Thomas Tucker and musical historian Simon Spalding. Stop by Apprentice Alley, where children can enjoy crafts and other trades taught by re-enactors. Learn to make Betsy Ross stars, tricorn hats and mob caps, and even try your hand at quilling, a popular paper- cutting craft from colonial days. Take pictures with the pillory, a wooden framework used to punish criminals. Don't forget to visit the brewmaster for a few tips on ale, the Colonists' favorite drink! Free cake and ice cream will be served at 1 p.m. while supplies last. "I'm excited about a lot this year – we always try to expand the festival with something new," said Maxwell. Admission is free. Arsenal Park is located at 215 Myrover St. Call 910-486-1330 or visit museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/Events for more information. AVERY POWERS, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.