Gold Hill Founders’ Day set for Saturday
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 20, 2018
Goldline Bluegrass
Gospel Plowboys
Grass Strings
New High Country Boys
Sassafras
Strings of Victory
Submitted by Historic gold Hill & Mines Foundation
GOLD HILL — The 29th annual Gold Hill Founders’ Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park. The event celebrates the history and culture of the once famous 19th century gold mining boom town and is hosted by the Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation Inc. Events begin at 9 a.m. with the day officially kicking off with the annual Founders’ Day Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday’s events include arts, crafts, heritage living exhibits, Civil War living history encampment, entertainment, food and more. The 10 a.m. parade line-up begins at the Gold Hill Fire Department. Those entering the parade may call 704-279-7897, or arrive at the Fire Department between 9-9:30 a.m.
Other activities include a kid’s area, laser tag and be sure to have your kids to look for “gold nuggets” on the grounds throughout the park. Nineteenth century gold tycoon Walter George Newman was known to have tossed gold nuggets to kids during his time managing the mines at Gold Hill. In keeping with that tradition, there will be more than a hundred “gold nuggets” to be found. The nuggets can be used to purchase small gifts at the Historic Foundation food booth near the bridge in the park.
The Gold Hill Fire Department will host the Rowan Salisbury Fire House to teach fire safety. The GHFD Auxiliary will also have activities. The Log Barn will also be the site of the Civil War Living History Encampment hosted by the 63rd NC Troops, camped onsite at the log barn. The back lawn of the barn will be available for antique tractors and hit & miss engine displays. The Gold Panning area is hosted by officials from Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site.
This year’s entertainment will again be provided by the North Carolina Bluegrass Association, beginning at the amphitheater stage at 11 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m.
Entertainment includes SAFRAS a Bluegrass/Newgrass band from the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Band member Randy Gambill lived and toured all over Europe sharing the stage with Allison Krauss, Tim O’Brien, Mark O’Connor, Laurie Lewis, Tony Furtado English Folk-diva June Tabor, and ex-Fairport Convention member Jerry Donahue. Billy Gee has shared the stage with Doc Watson, Jim Lauderdale, John Cowan, Jack Lawrence, Wayne Henderson and the Kruger Brothers and toured as bassist with bluegrass legend Charlie Waller and The Country Gentlemen. Billy most recently performed in Nashville on the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. Wes Tuttle has been active in the music scene for many years and is well known in the bluegrass community, having toured and performed and recorded with Doc Watson, Josh Graves, Kenny Baker, Benny Martin, Mac Wiseman, Jerry Douglas, Steve Dilling, Kim Gardner, Tony Rice, Ronnie Bowman, Russell Moore, Jim Buchanan. Steve Lewis has been prominent in the bluegrass scene for many years having been a member of the bands Ricochet and Alternate Roots and has appeared on the Grand Old Opry. Steve has won numerous banjo and guitar awards. Most notably, finishing first at the Walnut Valley Festival, Merlefest, Reno-fest banjo championships, and taking first place at Merlefest for guitar. He is also part of Pete Wernick’s banjo camp during Merlefest. Steve has shared the stage and studio with a virtual Who’s Who of musicians too numerous to count.
Rounding out the entertainment will be Strings of Victory of China Grove, Grass Strings of Kannapolis, Goldline of Gold Hill, Mountain Fever Recording Artist, The Gospel Plowboys of Salisbury and The New High Country Boys of Mocksville.
Other Saturday events will include the popular History Hayrides to the Gold Hill Pond and Powder House which will be available noon-4 p.m. Purchase ride tickets at the Assay Office Museum. The shops in the historic Gold Hill village will be open Saturday for shopping. Food vendors will be serving BBQ, hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken on a stick, chicken dumplings, ham and sausage biscuits, a variety of snack foods and more.
Gold Hill Mines Historic Park is located in eastern Rowan County at 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill.
For more information call 704-267-9439, visit www.historicgoldhill.com or see Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
Event Schedule:
9 a.m. Park opens: All exhibits, arts/crafts etc.
10 a.m. Founders’ Day Parade (Street will be blocked at 9:55 a.m.)
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Entertainment amphitheater
Noon-4 p.m. History Hayrides to Gold Hill Pond and Powder House. Schedule posted at Assay Office/Post Office Museum
Performance Schedule:
11 a.m. Strings of Victory
Noon Goldline Bluegrass
1 p.m. New High Country Boys
2 p.m. Grass Strings
3 p.m. The Gospel Plowboys
4-6: p.m. SASSAFRAS
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