Friends of the Overmountain Victory Celebration

09/16/2021

09/15/2021

The National Park Service announced today plans for the 2021 Overmountain Day on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The event takes place Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on the grounds of the Museum of North Carolina Minerals near Milepost 331. The event is free and open to the public.

This family friendly event will feature frontier craft and skill demonstrations and hands-on learning opportunities throughout the day, including candle-making and fire-starting using flint and steel. Eventgoers will learn about the American Revolution in the Blue Ridge Mountains from park staff and volunteers as they walk through an open-air, re-created encampment. To promote staff and visitors’ safety, masks are required outdoors when social distancing is not possible, and at all times when inside the museum building, regardless of vaccination status.

Read the full press release to learn more here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/overmountain-day-2021.htm

09/18/2020

09/17/2020

The Parkway is famous for its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and beautiful wildflowers. However, the land that the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses has a rich history as well.

In September of 1780, an army of patriots from the surrounding mountain region fighting for independence passed through the mountain gaps that the parkway now traverses to the Battle of King’s Mountain. These Overmountain Men, as they were called, turned the tide of the Revolutionary War with their victory there and put our nation on the road that led to our independence.

Each year we honor these brave men by retelling the story at our Overmountain Victory Celebration Event. This year, our event has gone virtual! Starting September 18th visitors can join park rangers and volunteers on the park's website to experience videos and activities that connect them to Revolutionary America. We hope you will join us!

Learn More at https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/historyculture/overmountain-men.htm

Image Description: A man stands looking out at green mountain ridges wearing historical clothing and holding a long gun.

09/13/2019

09/11/2019

The tents went up today, and the grounds became an encampment. Thanks to all the volunteers and staff. Two days and counting.

09/11/2018

Due to the impending weather caused by Hurricane Florence the event for this year has been canceled. We encourage everyone to keep a continued eye on the storm as its effects may be felt thought out the area.

09/08/2018

We are aware that there is a hurricane looming in the Atlantic. As of now the event is still going to be happening as scheduled. Staff is closely monitoring the current weather and the forecasts for the storm and our local area. Should conditions dictate a change, we will provide updates as they arise.

08/29/2018

Photos from the 2017 Overmountain Victory Celebration.

08/06/2018

Overmountain Victory Celebration
Re-enactor & Volunteer Invitation

The Blue Ridge Parkway is planning our 27th annual Overmountain Victory Celebration. The event tells the epic story of the Overmountain men and honors their contributions in turning the tide of the American Revolution in the South. This year marks the 238th anniversary of their historic march to King’s Mountain, South Carolina. Our event will be held Sept. 14-15th, 2018.

We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the following aspects of the Overmountain Victory Celebration. You can participate in as many or as few of these activities as you wish.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Friday September 14th 9:00 am- 2:30 pm
- 25 minute long Craft or Skill Demonstrations for school groups

Saturday Morning September 15th 9:00 am-3:00 pm
- Craft or Skill Demonstrations for the general public
- Participate in Skit of British Officer dealing with a Defiant Frontiersman or in telling the story of the Overmountain Men and the Battle of Kings Mountain

Saturday Afternoon September 15th 2:00-4:00 pm
- Battle Re-enactment at the Orchard at Altapass

For more information please contact:
Ranger Conrad Shirk
Phone: (828)765-1228
e-mail: [email protected]

07/21/2018

Planning for this year’s Overmountain Victory Celebration has begun. School days will be on Friday, September 14. On Saturday, September 15 the encampment will be open to the public. Watch for upcoming events and further details.