By Theodore Saslow
BOONE — Horn in the West, one of the nation’s longest running outdoor dramas, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer.
Horn’s story is as old as America itself. The narrative follows the hopes and dreams of intrepid frontier explorers, ordinary Piedmont settlers backed into a corner by undemocratic British policies, and the struggle to achieve cross-cultural understanding between Cherokee and pioneer. With a seasoned cast of actors and crew, and a revamped, more concise script and story, Horn in the West is looking forward to its best season yet.
To make it even easier to attend, Horn in the West is offering “County Nights” throughout its season. These nights allow residents of select counties to attend with discounted rates for a weekend run of shows.
On July 1-3 the North Carolina Piedmont counties of Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenberg, Rowan and Union are eligible for $8 tickets. This represents almost a 60 percent discount for adults, and a sizable discount for the already-affordable children’s ticket.
If you’re not already familiar with our play, the story takes place in North Carolina during the turbulent 1770s. The fate of our still-unformed nation was being written through the lives of its citizens. The drama opens with the 1771 Battle of Alamance North Carolina, which represented the embryonic beginnings of the Revolutionary War. Through nine unsettled years, average citizens had to choose sides, navigate the chaotic seas of warfare and upheaval, and make a new beginning for themselves on the western frontier. The play culminates with the war-changing Battle of King’s Mountain, made famous through the Mountaineer’s courage and sacrifice. Famous Americans such as Daniel Boone, the Cherokee Chief Attakullakulla, the ground-breaking Cherokee ambassador Nancy Ward, and Colonial leaders such as North Carolina Governor William Tryon step forth from the pages of history onto our stage.
Our play takes place in Boone, North Carolina on the grounds of Daniel Boone Park. The play’s scenic amphitheater is nestled among the rhododendron coated hillsides of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Located within a stone’s throw of our amphitheater, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens displays representative flora from various habitats and biomes in the southeast. Its shaded walking paths, beautiful vegetated beds, and peaceful rock, fern, and bog gardens are a wonderful diversion from a hot summer day. The Gardens are also home to Squire Boone’s cabin, reportedly built by Daniel Boone’s brother.
Above the amphitheater, Hickory Ridge Living History Museum is located upon a hillside that Daniel Boone would have used to survey the valley later named for him. The Museum brings the past to life with its collection of restored 18th century cabins, authentic furnishings, and a group of dedicated re-enactors who demonstrate colonial life and history. The museum will be open at 5:30 p.m. before every show, and 9-12 a.m. on most Saturday mornings in conjunction with the Watauga County Farmer’s Market.
“Horn in the West” is open weekly from Tuesday to Sunday night, with shows starting at 8 p.m.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, catered dinners from Boone’s historic Dan’l Boone Inn are available. These meals are southern cooking at its finest, and served at 6:30 p.m. by reservation only.
Interested individuals, families, and tour groups may order their tickets for “Horn in the West” and the Dan’l Boone dinners online at www.horninthewest.com or by calling the Horn in the West office at 828-264-2120.
If your County Night does not fit your schedule, call for other discounts that may be available.