Breaks Park will host special programming August 6-9, 2015, highlighting the ways of life of the area’s first settlers. Additionally, the South Mountain Boys will perform at the amphitheater August 8.
“The Breaks places much emphasis on its responsibility to preserve and interpret the history and unique way of life of this region’s early settlers,” said Superintendent Austin Bradley, “This event is a wonderful opportunity for our staff and volunteers to introduce our visitors to this intriguing story.”
Visitors will enjoy a special display and educational program in the park Visitor Center on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9. Nina Aragon and Loretta Jude will share their extensive collection of items from yesteryear and discuss how roots, barks, and herbs were the basis of “mountain medicine” back in the day. They will also show how candles were made, and more. This program will be ongoing from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.
Author and Geologist Tony Scales will be on hand to lead a hike on the Geological Trail on Saturday at 1 pm, explaining along the way the processes that led to the development of the unique geological formations in the park and the Grand Canyon of the South. Scales will also hold a book signing for his books, The Breaks: The Grand Canyon of the South, and Natural Tunnel: Nature’s Marvel in Stone on Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 3:30 pm.
Other activities will demonstrate how cornmeal was made at an authentic, working gristmill, and programs will be held that teach participants how to throw tomahawks, and build fires in the same way frontiersmen did it when they settled the area.
The South Mountain Boys will perform at the park amphitheater on Saturday at 7:30 pm. There is no admission charge for the show.
Additionally, regular programming activities including hikes, craft projects, and more will be held throughout the weekend.
The complete interpretive programming schedule is available online at www.BreaksPark.com. For more information, contact the park visitor center at (276)-865-4413 ext. 3213, or by emailing Park Naturalist Carl Mullins at [email protected].
Breaks Interstate Park is located on the Kentucky – Virginia border and is accessed by State Route 80. Commissioned by the U.S. Congress in 1954, it encompasses more than 4,600 acres and is one of only two interstate parks in the United States. For more information about the park, please visit www.BreaksPark.com.
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