November 16th, 2012
by Tanya Davis
Sunday, November 4th brought participants from across the Piedmont to celebrate Morrow Mountain State Park's annual Old Fashioned Day. While the sun hid behind clouds most of the day, Mother Nature made up for it by providing a spectacular backdrop of fall colors for the event. Old Fashioned Day has been taking place for more than 40 years, and Park Superintendent Greg Schneider expressed appreciation to park officials and volunteers for their continued efforts in making the event a success.
woodworking and broom making skills.
Local artists and craftsmen volunteered their time and talents to provide a glimpse of what life may have been like for our ancestors in the region. With many games and displays available, children and adults alike enjoyed hands-on activities such as candle making, basket weaving, and broom making. In keeping with the mountain's rich cultural heritage, participants looked on as replicas of Indian spearheads and tools were skillfully crafted from local stone by flint knappers. Potters and woodcarvers demonstrated their crafts, while others crowded around the sluice to pan for gold in hopes of finding a prized nugget. Information from Oakboro Museum, Friends of State Parks, and Friends of Morrow Mountain was available, and local cloggers and musicians entertained crowds throughout the day.
Results from a 2008 study by North Carolina State University's Division of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management indicated more than 7 million people visit North Carolina parks each year, making a strong contribution to state and local economies. Families continue to benefit from affordable and educational opportunities provided by state parks. Old Fashioned Day is held at Morrow Mountain State Park each year on the first Sunday of November. One Cabarrus County resident said this was the third year he and his family had attended Morrow Mountain's Old Fashioned Day, and they plan to continue this tradition as an annual family outing. He further commented it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a slower pace, put digital gadgets aside, and take advantage of an affordable and informative day. Mark your calendar for the event next year. Until then, visit the website at www.ncparks.gov to learn more about events and activities at Morrow Mountain State Park. For additional information about how you may become a friend of Morrow Mountain State Park, visit the website at www.morrowmountain.org.
You will find more pictures of this event in our SmugMug Photo Album.
