By Jennifer Justus • THE TENNESSEAN • September 25, 2009
From a rousing bluegrass jam to a barbecue competition, Sumner County has plenty of festivals to help welcome the fall season. 
But given its haunted history during the Civil War era, it's also the perfect spot to gear up for the season of ghost hunting. Donna Hartley Lucas of the Gallatin Ghost Walk said more than 160 people were hung in Gallatin's square. A Union commander who held the town during the Civil War would take action against citizens when he suspected spy activity. So even as Gallatin's square received a revamp this year, some suspect that the spirits of many from long ago remain. Mansker's Station Encampment in GoodlettsvilleExperience life in the 18th century at this living history site. Mansker's Station once served as a safe settlement and trading post for pioneers on their travels west. These days, demonstrators in period dress recreate the environment for visitors. When: 9 a.m. Saturday Where: Moss Wright Park, 705 Caldwell Drive, Goodlettsville Cost: $6, $5 for seniors and AAA members, $4 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger Contact: 859-3678 Daniel Smith Colonial Days at Rock CastleStep back in time at Rock Castle in Hendersonville where more than 100 demonstrators will recreate colonial life on 18 acres overlooking Old Hickory Lake. The two-day re-enactment will include the music, food and happenings of the period between 1780 and 1820 including a treaty signing with Native Americas. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 4 Where: 139 Rock Castle Lane, Hendersonville Cost: $10; $5 for seniors; free for ages 12 and younger Contact: 824-0502 Gallatin Ghost WalkLearn about the history of haunted Gallatin on a tour of the public square and several blocks surrounding it. The tour covers stories from 15 structures including a building where 16 different ghosts have been identified. "This seems to be a corridor that is just very spirit-filled," said tour leader Donna Hartley Lucas. When: Through October at 8 p.m., reservations required Where: Gallatin Public Square (2 of 2)
Cost: $10; free for ages 6 and younger
Gallatin's 13th annual Candlelight Cemetery TourTake a candlelit tour of Gallatin's historic cemetery featuring the stories behind 10 of the men and women buried on the grounds. "I call it history coming alive," said Juanita Frazor who coordinates the event. While many of those featured were born in the 1800s, Frazor said many eras and walks of life are represented. "They all have interesting stories," she said. "Whether you know their names or not." When: Saturday; tours begin at 4 p.m. and run continuously until the last tour at 10 p.m. Where: 250 Cemetery Ave., Gallatin Cost: $8; $3 for ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and younger Contact: 451-3738 Gallatin's Main Street FestivalStroll down Gallatin's main street to the scent of slow-cooked ribs during Gallatin's Main Street Festival. Teams from throughout the United States compete at the event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society for a chance to win $10,000. Even the amateurs, though, can enjoy more than 100 vendors offering crafts, live entertainment and festival food. When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday Where: Main Street, Gallatin Cost: Free Contact: 452-5692, www.mainstreetgallatin.com Millersville Bluegrass JamFor a little more than 10 years, bluegrass fans have been gathering to dance and jam at this Millersville event on the first and third Friday of every month. Held at the town's community center, the event is supported by donations with concessions such as hot dogs and hamburgers available for purchase. "We just promote the old-timey music and dancing, old-timey clogging and two-stepping and buckstepping, they call it," said Norman Franklin, a sometime fiddle player and organizer of the event. "And we have plenty of room for people who just want to jam also." When: 6:45 p.m. the first and third Friday of every month Where: Millersville Community Center, 181 Louisville Hwy., Millersville Cost: Donations Contact: 859-5160 Portland's Days Gone By FestivalCoinciding with Portland's Sesquicentennial Celebration, the Days Gone By Festival on Davis Street will feature antique tractor museum, concessions and an active threshing machine. When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: 122 Davis St., Portland Cost: Free Contact: 574-0749 Portland's Sesquicentennial CelebrationHelp the folks of Portland celebrate the town's 150th anniversary with old-fashioned family foods, carriage rides, quilt displays, historic cemetery tour and vintage costume contest, among other events. When: Saturday, opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Where: Main Street, Portland Cost: Free Contact: 325-6776
Thanks for your time and God bless you. And remember . . . Don’t spend a PENNY ‘til you call JENNY! |