History With A Bang! Settlement And Raid On June 18–19 At Old Ft. Harrod State Park
Historical reenactor Jesse Deesch fires a cannon during the 2016 Settlement & Raid at Old Fort Harrod State Park.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com
The 14th annual Settlement and Raid happens at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) on Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19.
The park’s signature event, the settlement and raid is a full scale re-enactment complete with settlers and Natives. For a full schedule, check out below, but the Native raid on Old Fort Harrod happens at 2 p.m. on both days and Park Manager David Coleman said it never happens the same way twice.
“It’s going to be a good time,” Coleman said. “We have something scheduled all the time.”
New this year are presentations on Butler’s Rangers, a military unit of Americans who remained loyal to the crown during the Revolution, and the horse on the frontier.
“There were no gas stations on the Wilderness Road,” Coleman said.
With the Settlement and Raid, Old Fort Harrod is hitting the busiest part of the year. In addition to the Picnic in the Park live entertainment series, which happens at noon on every Friday through August, the outdoor drama, “James Harrod: The Battle For Kentucky” returns for a two week run starting Thursday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m. Pioneer Days, the free festival featuring nearly 100 vendors, live music, car show, wrasslin’ and fun activities for the whole family, happens Friday, Aug. 19, though Sunday, Aug. 21. The “Big Jack” Pearson Memorial Car Show presented by the Central Kentucky Hot Rodders happens Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here’s the full schedule for the 14th Annual Settlement and Raid.
Saturday, June 18
9 a.m.–gates open.
10 a.m.–Plants of the time period and how they were used.
11 a.m.–Horses on the frontier.
Noon—Native storytelling with Russell Morris.
1 p.m.–Cooking in a mud oven.
2 p.m.–Native raid on the fort.
2:30 p.m.–The “Native Experience”—public is invited back to the Native Village.
3 p.m.–History of Butler’s Rangers and their impact on Kentucky.
3 p.m.–Cemetery dedication with Don Drewry.
8 p.m.–Tavern Night at McGinty’s Ordinary with musical entertainment by Ken and Jake Hill.
Sunday, June 19
10 a.m.–17th Century Divine Church Service at Big Spring on Factory Street.
Noon—Native storytelling with Russell Morris.
2 p.m.–Native raid on the fort.
2:30 p.m.–The “Native Experience”—public is invited back to the Native Village.
3 p.m.–History of Butler’s Rangers and their impact on Kentucky.
4 p.m.–Event closes.
5 p.m.–Gates close.
Old Fort Harrod State Park is located at 100 South College Street. For more information, check out their Facebook page, call 859-734-3314 or email them at fortharrod@ky.gov.
