Serving Scott County for
More Than 104 Years!

‘Blockhouse Siege’, Relay for Life Events Planned in County

From staff reports

It is the season of summertime get-togethers and regional events that involve an appreciation of family and heritage. Another local event gives residents a chance to give back to their community by raising awareness and money for cancer research while honoring their fallen loved ones.

Siege at the Blockhouse

The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association announces its fourth annual "Siege at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse." 

Join 18th century settlers bound for Kentucky at the Blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for a re-creation of historic events that led to the great migration of settlers to the west. 

Daniel Boone, portrayed by renowned re-enactor Grant Hardin, will lead the westward-bound frontiersmen. Native Americans, representatives of the Cherokee nation, will be camped nearby for trading.

Visitors will see a battle between the two parties Saturday at 1 p.m. Saturday, and can hear stories at the campfire at 8 p.m. 

On Sunday, there will also be a frontier worship service at 11 a.m., and a wedding at 1 p.m. There is a $2 charge for parking on Saturday.

Demonstrations of cooking, needle arts, tomahawk throwing are also slated with a special area designed for children with games and toys. 

During Saturday's opening activity, at 10 a.m., members of the Overmountain Men chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will lay a commemorative wreath at the nearby patriot monument.

Other area SAR, DAR, and CAR representatives will also be present.

Members of the Scott County Regional Horse Association portray horseback Kentucky-bound settlers.  They are expected to arrive at 11 a.m. on Saturday and depart for Kentucky at around noon.

For more information on the fourth annual Siege at the Blockhouse, visit www.danielboonetrail.com.

Pickin’ in the Park

You are invited to join a leisurely Sunday afternoon performance as the Pickin’ in the Park series returns to Natural Tunnel State Park amphitheater Sunday, June 10 at 2 p.m.

The bi-weekly concert series features local musicians on the second and fourth Sundays at 2 p.m. in the months of June, July and August.

The series is sponsored by the Cove Ridge Cultural Arts Council and features many local performers.

The Town Branch Bluegrass Band from Lee County kicks off the summer series June 10 followed by performances of Jim Gates and the Keykeepers on June 24. Other performances include July 8 - Annie Keene and Friends, July 22 - Mountain Music Makers, Aug. 12 - Daniel Perkins and Aug. 26 - Dr. Richard Phillips and Friends.

Scott County Relay For Life

Loads of relay teams are working extra hard this week to raise money for the American Cancer Society as the dates for the third annual Scott County Relay For Life approaches.

Slated for June 15-16 at Legion Field at Gate City High School, local teams walk around the track during the 12-hour event to raise much needed funds for ACS cancer research.

Relay organizers are hoping to raise $100,000 at the Scott County event and are seeking more teams. Teams composed of eight to 15 participants will camp out at Gate City High School on Friday, June 15 and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

Although Relay is an overnight event lasting sometimes up to 24 hours in length, the Scott County event is a 12-hour effort. The event begins with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on June 15 and continues through the night, finishing at 6 a.m. on June 16. Individuals are not required to walk the entire 12 hours but teams are asked to have a team representative walking throughout the event.

Cancer survivors will be recognized at 4 p.m. and officially kick-off the event by walking the inaugural lap at 6 p.m.

Lighted luminaries provide a poignant moment at the Relay as those gathered remember and honor cancer victims and cancer. Any person can purchase a luminary to honor or remember a loved one during the event for $5.

The event also features musical entertainment with groups playing to the wee hours to keep participants going strong. Any musical group that would like to perform is asked to contact Ivy Lane at 940-2313.

The purpose of Relay For Life, which is the American Cancer Society’s national signature activity, is seek funds to help fight cancer and to bring a greater awareness of the disease.

For more information about the June 15 Scott County Relay For Life or to register a team, call Brenda Estep, event chairperson, 386-3146, Lou Ann Johnson, 386-7836 or the American Cancer Society at 1-877-429-2955.

Teams can sign up online at <www.relayforlife.org>. For cancer information call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit online at <www.cancer.org>, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Business Directory

Vacation Guide