Free Community Event! 10 AM to 9 PM
On Saturday, May 3, Historic Davie will host the Daniel Boone Family Festival in Historic Downtown Mocksville. Featuring craftsmen, merchants, educational tours, historic re-enactors, food vendors, and live music, there’s something for everyone at the all-day event which kicks off at 10 AM.
The festival originated as a way to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Daniel and Rebecca Boone, and for its first two iterations it was held in August (the couple married on August 14, 1756). But the summer heat made for a long day so Historic Davie moved the celebration to May.
Retrace the Steps of Daniel Boone, the Revolutionary War, Historic Homes and More!
Daniel Boone spent nearly 25 years in the Yadkin Valley area, and two of the three tours revolve around landmarks associated with the Boone clan. The big attraction for Boone buffs are the tours that run at 10:15 AM, 12:30 PM, and again at 2:15 PM. Tours are $5 and are provided by bus or van.
Tours include stops at historic Joppa Cemetery, where Daniel’s parents Squire and Sarah Boone and his brother Israel are buried (Israel’s grave is the oldest in the cemetery); the Boone Tract at Bear Creek, a 640-acre parcel of land granted to Squire Boone in 1753 and later sold to his son Daniel; the Daniel Boone Marker in Farmington; and nearby Pudding Ridge, where General Cornwallis crossed Dutchman Creek in pursuit of Nathanael Greene (Cornwallis named the area for the thick mud in the area his troops had to march through).
Another tour departing at 11:45 AM also visits Joppa Cemetery, Bear Creek, and the Boone Tract in addition to tours of the Jesse A. Clement House (built in 1828) and Historic Center Arbor, constructed as a site for “camp meetings” during the Third Great Awakening in 1876.
The last tour, which departs at 1:15 PM, takes visitors to the River Park at the Bull Hole, Veach’s Muster Ground, Revolutionary War hero Richmond Pearson‘s grave site, and the Historic Zachary Holt House and Village Museum of Cooleemee, both of which have exhibits centered around the area’s once-booming textile industry.
Rounding out the historic flavor of the festival will be the presence of Fort Dobbs re-enactors (Fort Dobbs was the site of a battle between settlers and Cherokee warriors in 1760.)
Music all day at Junker’s Mill Outdoor Theater – capped off by The Mountain Heart Band at 6:45 PM
Music fans will want to head over to Junker’s Mill Outdoor Theatre to check out the bluegrass music of Tommy Chandler at 1 PM, the Johnny Cash tribute band Folsom Prison Gang at 3:30, the rockin’ country sounds of Tony Bailey at 5:00 PM, and the Nashville headliner, Mountain Heart Band at 6:45 PM.
All of the performances are free of charge, but those wishing to enjoy an “adult beverage” will have to purchase a wristband for $5.00.
Vendor Applications and Additional Information
To learn more about the amenities and activities that will be on hand, head over to the official Daniel Boone Family Festival and Spring Auction web site, or call Tami Langdon at 336-909-2263 (you can also call the Davie County Chamber of Commerce at 336-751-3304. If you’d like to participate as a vendor, you can download a vendor application here.