Tennessee’s longest running outdoor drama “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals” will kick off its 39th season Thursday evening at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site.
Depicting life and events in the 18th century Watauga Settlement, “Liberty!” is presented each year by local performers and volunteers against the backdrop of the park’s replica of Fort Watauga. The drama is a page from our nation and state’s history and is the story of freedom as told by the Overmountain Men, who waged and won one of the most important battles of the American Revolution in the South.
They were settlers who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands. These early settlers — the Wataugans — formed an independent government, made treaties with the Cherokees, defended their homes against renegades and fought the British army at the epic Battle of King’s Mountain.
“Liberty!” is more than a story or a drama. It’s the story of brave and daring men and women who settled along the banks of the Watauga River more than 200 years ago. They yearned for freedom and a new way of life free of British tyranny. They endured hardships, fought the Indians as well as harsh winters and disease. They built homes here, and raised their families in this frontierland known as Watauga. Soon, it was a community complete with a church, school and trading posts.
The Watauga Settlement is older than Tennessee, so it’s safe to say that Tennessee began here along the banks of the Watauga River. Freedom, indeed, has its roots here.
So many of today’s Carter County residents are descendants of those brave men and women, many of whom are buried in area cemeteries. Some migrated West and elsewhere. We carry their names, and through the drama “Liberty!” honor their lives and accomplishments.
It’s both disappointing and surprising that so many Carter Countians have not seen “Liberty!” Many of those who attend the drama each July are from out of town, and they just keep coming back. And, once you see it, you’ll go back the next year, too, and the year after that. It’s that good!
We encourage all of our citizens to support the drama with their attendance. It’s a performance that the entire community can take pride in.
None of the actors are professionals, however, they are very talented and committed to making the drama a success. They also are volunteers, who give up nine evenings each summer to perform the drama, in addition to countless hours of rehearsal and preparing for the annual presentations.
Our hats are off to the cast of “Liberty!,” the Sycamore Shoals State Park staff and the Friends of the Park as they kick off a new drama season. The performances will be held each Thursday, Friday and Saturday through the end of July in the Fort Watauga Amphitheater. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for seniors and $6 for students. Children 5 and under are admitted free. However, if you go on opening night, Thursday, the price of admission is only $9.
If you go, we promise a fun-filled evening awaits you!