Rediscover the artisanship and craftsmanship of our forefathers at the 11th annual Heritage Days at the Depot, on the green space of the Historic Belton Train Depot, October 1 – 3, 2015.
The award winning living history event showcases the talents of fifteen folk skills artisans and historical interpreters who offer presentations and hands-on demonstrations of their crafts and skills.
“We polled the students last year to ask what skills and crafts they would like to see and we got some great responses. We tried to track down presenters who fit the students’ expectations of the event they have come to enjoy,” said Alison Darby, organizer of the event.
Fifteen highly acclaimed artisans and historical interpreters will present at this year’s festival: Folk musicians, Ashley Carder and Chris Boutwell, Gullah cane carver Thomas “Stick Man” Williams, tanner/leather crafter Parker Brown-Nesbit, beekeeper James Ott, hammock maker Paula Ashworth, farrier Shawn Ellis, seamstress Heather Welch, Appalachian story teller Frankie Adkins, Native American weapons expert Benjamin “Raven” Pressley, Civil War cavalryman Jerry Chesser, wet-plate photographer Christine Eadie, bowl crafter Richard Harder, and game master Karen Cox.
“These presenters will truly make the traditions and skills of our forefathers come alive for our students, community members, and visitors during this event,” said Darby.
Thursday and Friday are set aside for students in Anderson School District #2, grades 2 – 5 and 8, to attend hands-on demonstration by the artisans and interpreters. Surrounding school districts and home school groups may also reserve spots for their students during these two days for a nominal fee.
On Saturday, the event is held in conjunction with the Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival and is open and free to the public. Presentations will be held on a rotating schedule from 9 AM – 4 PM that day. The artisans will also be selling their traditional crafts on Saturday.
The first event designated in SC as a “Certified South Carolina Arts and AgriCulture Event” by the SC Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the SC Arts Commission, Heritage Days at the Depot presents cultural diversity and celebrates the connection between the arts and our agricultural heritage.
For more information about the event, please contact Kathy Benson, BAMA Executive Director, at 338-7400, or organizer Alison Darby, 864-958-5264 or memoryln@charter.net.
