History Comes to Life at Fort Harrod
The 18th century comes alive at the Fort Harrod Settlement and Raid, which runs from Friday, June 16, through and Sunday, June 18.
“This is our signature event for the season,” said Park Manager David Coleman.
The event kicks off with a birthday party. Harrodsburg’s 243rd birthday party, which will be celebrated at the park with free cake, a Chautauqua presentation by Daniel Boone and colonial music provided by Don and Esther Drewry.
The main event starts on Saturday. While there are plenty of returning favorites, including the raids on Saturday and Sunday, the Native Village and the Colonial Children’s Camp, where kids learn how the settlers lived, there will be some new events.
“It was very big last year even though it was raining,” Coleman said.
This year, George Rogers Clark will be recruiting for his militia to fight in the Indiana and Illinois territories. But the biggest news is the 18th-century church service at the Big Spring on Factory Street, which reopened to the public in May.
“They’re going to preach the exact same service the two preachers preached on May 4, 1775,” Coleman said.
The service will be led by the Rev. Don Drewry and the Rev. John Frank Jarboe, who will also dedicate the cemetery on Saturday and Sunday.
Settlement and Raid Schedule of Events
The Settlement and Raid opens 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, with a bang.
The Rev. Don Drewry, who also provides the authentic colonial music, will be one of two preachers leading services at Big Spring on Sunday.
Friday, June 16
5:30–7:30 p.m. Celebrate Harrodsburg’s 243rd birthday with free cake. Kentucky Chautauqua presentation with Daniel Boone and colonial frontier music by Don and Esther Drewry
8:30 p.m. Native war council under the Osage orange tree
Saturday, June 17
9 a.m. Gates open with a cannon blast
10 a.m. Militia Muster with Simon Kenton inside the fort walls
11 a.m. Colonial Children’s Camp (butter churning, fire making, rifle firing, tomahawk throwing and more near gate 2, under the oak tree
11 a.m. Frontier life of the long hunters and settlers with John Curry and Steve Genglebach on main stage
Noon. Native Drumming in the Native Village
1 p.m. Cemetery dedication and memorial with Don Drewry and Parson John
1 p.m. Weapons check (everyone in the fort behind sheep pen) cannons at battery
2 p.m. British and Native Raid on the fort
3 p.m. The Native Experience. After the raid, audience is invited to the Native village for the adoption ceremony of the captives and much more.
5:30 p.m. Dinner provided (only for re-enactors)
7 p.m. Trade blanket (only for re-enactors)
Sunday, June 18
10 a.m. New. An 18th-century church service at the Big Spring on Factory Street.
Noon. Native drumming
1 p.m. Cemetery dedication and memorial by Don Drewry and Parson John
1 p.m. Frontier life of the long hunters and settlers with John Curry and Steve Genglebach on main stage
2 p.m. Native American raid on Old Fort Harrod
3 p.m. The Native Experience at the Native village
4 p.m. event closes
5 p.m. gates close
To learn more, check out this week’s issue of The Harrodsburg Herald.
