FUNDRAISERS
Hampton Youth Club Motorcycle Ride
9:30 a.m. Aug. 1
Hampton High School
423-895-2877
The club’s seventh annual Motorcycle Ride will raise money for youth athletics. Register from 9:30-1045 a.m. at the high school.

Concert for Josh Wandell
6 p.m. Aug. 9
Valley Forge
Free Will Baptist Church,
1503 Riverview Drive
Featured musicians will include Loren Harris, Jeff Snyder, Kayla Story, the Valley Forge Praise Choir and the Valley Forge Praise Band. Admission is free, but a love offering will be received. Wandell, former principal at East Side Elementary School has ALS.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Tomahawk Throw
3:30 p.m. today
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Learn about a favorite pastime on the frontier. The tomahawk was used to chop firewood and build and in recreational activities. Meet Gillian in the fort to give the tomahawk throw your best shot.

The Life of a Long Hunter
3:30 p.m. Saturday
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Think you have what it takes to be a long hunter like on the early frontier? Children and even parents who want to tag along are welcome to meet Gillian in the fort to learn about these early frontiersmen.

Leaf Prints
4 p.m. Sunday
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Parents and children will enjoy this fun activity. Meet Gillian in the Visitors Center and walk down to the banks of the Watauga River. Together, you will help Gillian collect leaves and flowers to use for some pretty awesome leaf prints.

Fall Gardening
9 a.m.-noon Aug. 1
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
It’s not too early to be planning and building your spring garden. Gardener extraordinaire Ben Hunter will share his experiences and techniques for growing the garden of your dreams. Sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners. Cost: FREE.

GRIEF SHARE
2-4 p.m. Sundays,
Aug. 2-Nov. 8
Sycamore Shoals Hospital
542-5551
Grace Baptist Church’s grief recovery seminar and support group will meet weekly in Classroom B at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Grief Share video sessions feature nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Living With Grief,” “The Journey of Grief,” “The Effects of Grief,” “Why?” and “Stuck in Grief.” Grief Share is co-sponsored by Sycamore Shoals Hospital Spiritual Care Department. The sessions are led by Grace Baptist Pastor Travis Tyler.

Positively Pillows
1-4 p.m. Aug. 2, 9 and 16
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Class will focus on how to create and insert piping, cording and zippers in pillows, types of pillow forms, covered buttons, envelope closure. A different pillow will be sewn at each session. Check at the park Visitors Center for examples and supply list. Student needs to be familiar with the use of their sewing machines. Instructor: Donna Horowitz. Minimum class size, 3; maximum, 6. Cost: $45.00 plus supplies.

Natural Dyeing
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 15
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Make beautiful color with all the bounty of nature. Learn to dye thread as Colonial settlers might have during the 18th century. Create stunning colors with the herbs and flowers of the field. Wear old clothes, and bring your lunch. Instructor: Carolyn DeWitt. Class minimum, 2; maximum, 10. Cost: $25.

Basketry — Cottage Hearth
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 15
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Hearth baskets were used to hold kindling for the fireplace. This mini (8.5 inches by 12 inches by 10 inches) can hold anything from magazines to muffins. Students will learn how to make a slanted rim. If you want to line the bottom with an acrylic cutting board (wood is too heavy), bring it with you to class. We will adjust the size of the basket to fit it. Instructor: Candy Alexander. Class minimum, 4; maximum, 12. Cost: $30.

MUSIC & THE ARTS
Covered Bridge Jams
7-9 p.m. Saturdays
Covered Bridge Park,
downtown Elizabethton
• 40 West, Saturday
• Mayberry Deputy and John Goad & New Hawkins Co. Grass, Aug. 1
• Sacred Harmony, Aug. 8
• Hollow Ground Bluegrass, Aug. 15
• ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, Aug. 29

Lakeside Concert Series
7-9 p.m. Thursdays
and 6-8 p.m. Sept. 13
Winged Deer Park,
Johnson City
• Whiskey Sticks, Thursday
• Hollow Ground, Aug. 6
• Model City Wrecking Crew, Aug. 13
• Kids Our Age, Aug. 20
• Johnson City Symphony, Sept. 13

Southern Countrymen
8-11 p.m. Saturday
Johnson City Moose,
1901 W. Lakeview Drive,
Johnson City
Admission: FREE.

Old Time Music Jam
Sunday and Aug. 23
Sycamore Shoals State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes! Led by Art Lang. Cost: FREE.

TOURS & EXHIBITS
Carter Mansion Tours
2 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday
Carter Mansion, 1013 Broad St.
423-543-5808
Meet Gillian at the oldest frame house in Tennessee for a look inside this beautiful frontier home and hear the stories of the family that built it. Cost: FREE.

Summer Art Show
through Sunday
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
This multimedia exhibit is two art shows in one: “13th Annual Judged Show” and the “21st Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member Show.” Public is invited to the June 28 Reception and to enjoy the art exhibit all month. Cost: FREE.

Newell Hendershot Exhibit
Aug. 8-28
Opening reception
1:30-4 p.m. Aug. 8
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Fun exhibit of miniature masterpieces, size 6 inches by 6 inches or smaller. Cost: FREE.

MEETINGS
Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps
10 a.m.-noon Saturdays
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
The Fife & Drum Corps performs at historical events, dedications and parades. It is open to anyone 13 or older. Musical experience welcome but not required. Lessons are free. Just call and let them know you’re coming.

The Liberty Spinners
9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 11 Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
This gathering of spinners and fiber artists is open to anyone interested in the art of spinning. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, April to November.

REUNIONS
Deloach Family Reunion
Saturday
home of Ray and Brenda Loveless
Gaye Loveless, 423-542-8129
The descendants of Emmert Doc and Wilda Deloach will have their annual reunion Saturday. Everyone is asked to bring a dish.

Ward Arnold Family Reunion
11:30 a.m. Saturday
Pleasant Beach Baptist Church, 108 Pleasant Beach Road
262-7521 or 768-2252
Those who attend are asked to bring a covered dish. Paper products and drinks will be furnished. Please bring photos and other memorabilia relating to family members who have passed.

Timbs Family Reunion
1 p.m. Saturday
Watauga Valley Free Will Baptist Church, 965 Tenn. Highway 91
Louise Timbs, 543-1858
The descendants of William “Bill” and Mary Jane Potter Timbs will hold a family reunion in the church fellowship hall. Those attending are asked to bring covered dishes and desserts.

Smith White Price Family Reunion
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 8
Hampton Christian Church,
810 Deerfield Lane,
Hampton
Liz Street 725-3011
or Peggy Lewis 725-2453
The Smitth White Price family will hold its 32nd annual reunion in the church fellowship hall. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish and memorabilia. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
“Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals”
7:30 tonight & Saturday
Sycamore Shoals
State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Tennessee’s official outdoor drama, presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men: colonists who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands. These settlers formed an independent government, made treaties with the Cherokee, defended their homes and fought a British army at the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Bleacher seating is available in the Amphitheater. Sponsored by Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. Admission Charge.

13th annual Elizabethton Butterfly Count
9 a.m. Aug. 1
Sycamore Shoals State Park,
1651 W Elk Ave.
423-543-5808
Meet naturalist Don Holt at Sycamore Shoals for this daylong winged adventure across town. Come for all or part of the day. Sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association & Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. Rain date to be announced. Cost: FREE.

Old Butler Days Festival
10 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 7-8
Babe Curtis Park,
McQueen Street, Butler
The festival will feature food, rides, games, entertainment and continuous music. Local and specialty vendors will be on hand. Auctions will be expanded to include mini-auctions, silent auctions and live auctions, the proceeds of which help fund community support projects. Vendor applications accepted until Aug. 1. The price for a spot for both days is $25, and security is available for tents left overnight. For more information on obtaining a vendor application, call Nioka Markland at 423-768-3177.