Sycamore Shoals State Park Upcoming Events

Published 11:18 am Tuesday, October 4, 2022

27th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at Park Visitor Center. This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

Ranger Led Bike Ride — 10-11 a.m.  Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center.  Price is $5 and register for the event. Join Ranger Davis for a ranger led bike ride up the Tweetsie Trail to the Elizabethton Covered Bridge, then back to the park via the Elizabethton Linear Trail. Total loop will be about 6 miles and take approximately one hour depending on the average ability level of the attending participants. Portions of the route will not be suitable for pull behind carriers. NO CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 5 YEARS OLD.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own water and bike.

Program will be cancelled/rescheduled in the event of severely inclement weather.

27th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at Park Visitor Center. This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

Bird Walk with the Lee & Lois Herndon TOS Chapter — 8 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center parking area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Carter Mansion Guided Tour — 1-2 p.m. Meet at the historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1301 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price: 6 and under is free, $5/7 to 17 years, $9/ adults. Register for the event. Join Interpreter Slade Nakoff for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780.

The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

27th Annual Sycamore Shoals Quilt Show – 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Park Visitor Center. This three-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters.  Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display.

Tomahawk Throwing Workshop – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at Fort Watauga. Price is $5 and register for the event. Discover the unique skill of 18th century tomahawk throwing by joining Ranger Jason Davis for a hands-on tutorial.  Topics will include the versatile applications of the tomahawk on the early American Frontier as well as proper technique and release for throwing with safety and accuracy. No children younger than 12. Parents who wish to be present but not participate do not need to register.

Please dress appropriately for the weather.  Bring your own water, all other supplies will be provided. Please don’t bring your own tomahawk unless it is of the 18th century design. This is not a self-defense class.

Subject to cancellation due to significantly inclement weather.

Bird Walk with the Lee & Lois Herndon TOS Chapter – 8 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center parking area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Gardening Series with Ben Hunter – 9 a.m. – 12 Noon. Meet at the Park Visitor Center. Event is free and register for the event. Ben Hunter will be joining us to share his experiences and techniques for winterizing your garden in preparation of growing the garden of your dreams! Meet in the park Gathering Room. Free admission.

Small Works Art Show – Visitor Center Operating Hours – Meet at Park Visitor Center.  Reception is Sunday, October 16 at 1:30 p.m. Displays of 8 x 10 or smaller works by members of the Watauga Valley Art League are featured during this art event.

Carter Mansion Guided Tour – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at the historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1301 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price is 6 and under is free, $5/7 to 17 years, $9/ Adults.  Register for the event. Join Interpreter Slade Nakoff for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780.

The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Fellowship English Country Dancing – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center.  Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome! The afternoon will include the opportunity to learn dances from the early 19th century. No cost to attend. Open to anyone, with or without experience or a partner.  Sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society.

Sunrise Hike — 7:30-8:30 a.m. Meet at the picnic area beside the Visitor Center. Price: 6 and under is free and $5/person. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a sunrise hike along the banks of the Watauga River. Learn about different historical events that took place here at the park. Coffee is not required but recommended. IF THERE IS NO PRE-REGISTRATION, EVENT WILL BE CANCELED.

Bird Walk with the Lee & Lois Herndon TOS Chapter — 8 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center parking area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Carter Mansion Guided Tour — 1-2 p.m. Meet at the historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1301 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price is 6 and under is free, $5/7 to 17 years, $9/Adults. Register for the event. Join Interpreter Slade Nakoff for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780.

The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Old Time Music Jam — Led by Art Lang — 1:30-4 p.m. Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center. Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month led by Art Lang. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

Scary Stories at Fort Watauga — 7:30 p.m. Meet at Fort Watauga. Strange things happen around All Hallows Eve, especially at an old fort by the river… but don’t be afraid, Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals isn’t haunted…or is it?!?! Join us for an evening of family friendly stories, songs, and tales that are sure to send a shiver down your spine and tickle your funny bone.

Death Comes to Sabine Hill: Twilight Tour & Wake — 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. Meet at: Sabine Hill State Historic Site 2328 West G Street Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price is $12 and register for the event. Visit Sabine Hill State Historic Site for a special after-hours tour of the historic Taylor House and learn about funeral customs, superstitions, mourning attire, professions, funeral food, and other traditions of death and mourning in Early America. Pay your respects to the deceased at the wake and meet historically dressed interpreters throughout the house and on the grounds as they demonstrate the customs and jobs associated with death, mourning and funerals in Early America. Demonstrations on the grounds will include a coffin maker, grave digger, sexton, professional mourner, burial society and resurrectionist.

Not recommended for small children. Parental discretion advised.

*Please Note: Only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.*

Death Comes to Sabine Hill: Daytime Visit — 11 a.m, noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill State Historic Site, 2328 West G St., Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price is $5/12 and under, $10 General Admission. Register for the event. Enjoy a daytime visit to Sabine Hill State Historic Site and learn about the funeral customs, superstitions, mourning attire, funeral food, and other traditions centered around death and mourning in Early America. Demonstrations on the grounds will feature the professions associated with early funerals including a coffin maker, grave digger, sexton, professional mourner, burial society, undertaker and resurrectionist. Take a self-guided tour of the historic Taylor House and view exhibits of Early American funeral traditions and customs in each room.

Parental discretion advised.

*Please Note: Only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.*

Death Comes to Sabine Hill: Twilight Tour & Wake — 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. Meet at: Sabine Hill State Historic Site 2328 West G Street Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price is $12 and register for the event. Visit Sabine Hill State Historic Site for a special after-hours tour of the historic Taylor House and learn about funeral customs, superstitions, mourning attire, professions, funeral food, and other traditions of death and mourning in Early America. Pay your respects to the deceased at the wake and meet historically dressed interpreters throughout the house and on the grounds as they demonstrate the customs and jobs associated with death, mourning and funerals in Early America. Demonstrations on the grounds will include a coffin maker, grave digger, sexton, professional mourner, burial society, and  resurrectionist. Not recommended for small children. Parental discretion advised.

*Please Note: Only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.*

Dharana and Flow Yoga with Kim — 9-10:15 a.m. Meet at Visitor Center. Register for the event. Held at our park Visitor Center, it will include a guided Dharana (object meditation). Object provided and you get to take it home with you! We will follow that with a flow yoga designed for all levels. Flow yoga class will be a mixture of meditation, breath-work and energizing movement. It begins with gentler movements to warm up the body, then moves into progressively more challenging flowing sequences including standing poses, balances, inversions and peak poses. We will end slower with deep stretches and a floor/mat asana practice.

Class will be followed by a 15-minute information session with Park Ranger Cory Franklin. He will discuss the history and mission of the park. As an attendee, enjoy a 10% off discount at the Center’s Gift Shop! *DYC members get 15% off price of yoga class!

Early American Funeral Service — 2-3:30 p.m. Meet at Sycamore Shoals Park Visitor Center. Free Admission. The events over the previous days at Sabine Hill featuring the customs, superstitions, and traditions of death and mourning in Early America culminate at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park as we re-create an Early American funeral service. Join the mourners in the funeral procession and attend the burial service of the dearly departed. Program may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.