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MS CHEAP

Tennessee History Festival brings the past alive

Mary Hance
USA Today Network — Tennessee

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is always a top spot for making Tennessee history fun — with its 200-foot granite map of the state, the fun and festive fountains that represent Tennessee's 31 rivers, the beautiful 95-bell Carillon and the detail-laden History Wall that takes you from the days of Hernando de Soto's quest for gold, to the French and Indian War, to the Long Hunters and on through the world wars, Vietnam and more from the past two centuries.

But this weekend the information-packed downtown Nashville park is all of that and a whole lot more as the 12th annual Tennessee History Festival descends, bringing many chances to step into our history in a very interactive way.

"We make Tennessee history come to life," said state park ranger Justin Rexrode, who is one of the organizers of the upcoming fest. "We really go beyond the classroom topics of history and get kids involved by doing things like a fire-starting program (where they can experience what life might have been like in pioneer days).

"They see the heroes and heroines but also the common folk from these periods of history," Rexrode said.

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The free festival includes two event-filled days Friday and Saturday, with re-enactors, demonstrations, games and conversations with history buffs who know their Tennessee stuff inside and out.

"It is a way to experience Tennessee history in a broad sense, so instead of reading it in a book, people can learn through living history," said state park ranger David Britton, who is setting up stations throughout the park where festival attendees can "meet" de Soto, a 1700s Long Hunter, an 18th century Cherokee, a 19th century civilian doctor, a vintage baseball player, a 20th century women’s rights suffragette, World War I Medal of Honor recipient Alvin C. York and World War II and Vietnam soldiers. There will also be a Civil War Union encampment, 1750s British regular infantry and a look at 18th century civilians in a living history setting put on by Mansker’s Station.

Britton says these enthusiastic re-enactors include park rangers as well as volunteers and staff from various historical homes and organizations in the state, and he said that they all love to talk to festivalgoers about the people they are portraying and the times they are representing.

There will also be black powder firing demonstrations, some spear throwing, a kid’s activity tent and speeches by famous Tennesseans.

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Britton said that historic and cultural sites from all over the state will have booths at the festival showcasing their offerings. They include Ft. Negley, Wynnewood, the James K. Polk home, Mansker's Station, Rock Castle, Ft. Pillow State Park, Travellers’ Rest Plantation and Battle of Franklin.

Both days are free and open to the public, but Friday is a "school day." There may be more programming on Friday, but Saturday may be your best bet if you want to avoid the large crowds.

This festival really is a wonderful way for newcomers, as well as longtime Tennesseans, to get a a more personal look at our state's history and "meet" some of the characters who helped shape us.

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Ms. Cheap's Guide to Fall packs calendar with free fun for everyone

If you go

What: Tennessee History Festival

Where: Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, between James Robertson Parkway and Jefferson Street and Sixth and Seventh avenues in downtown Nashville

Cost: free

When: The festival is 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday is school group day, but the festival is open to the public both days.  

Details: 615-741-5280 or see Tennessee History Festival on Facebook. 

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park free programs

• Oct. 22 and 25, 7 p.m., Night Life at the Park: Join a park ranger at the Bell Carillon on the north end of the park to learn about the park’s features and its furry inhabitants.

• Oct. 30, 6:30-8 p.m., Campfire Storytelling: Come enjoy an evening with an early Tennessee frontiersman as he recounts tales and ghost stories of Tennessee in front of a fire. S’mores and water will be available. Program is limited to 30 people, so please contact the park office to register. 615-741-5280.

• Nov. 3, noon, The 95-Bell Carillon and the Bicentennial Mall: A park ranger will be available at the Bell Carillon on the north end of the park to explain the significance of the bells and what the Bicentennial Mall means to the state of Tennessee. Details on all these programs: 615-741-5280.