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By Jeanna Baxter White

Davie County Blog

It will be a celebration of art and history as the Daniel Boone Family Festival and Arts Smart 2022 join forces on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m-5 p.m, with entertainment on the outdoor stage in Downtown Mocksville continuing until 7:30.

Because of the threat of rain, the ArtsSmart festival will be held at Davie High School, featuring visual art and performances by Davie Schools students.

“The offering of two events on May 7th brings many people of all ages and interests,” said  Tami Langdon, Mocksville’s community development coordinator. “We will have arts in all forms ranging from visual to performing with DCS Art Smart. And the Daniel Boone Family Festival is “rich” with the history of the Boones through the tours and the support of  Linda Leonard and the Davie County Historical Association.

“Plus, we will have artisans and crafts from vendors throughout North Carolina. This festival has been postponed for two years due to COVID, so I’m excited to have the Festival return with the artisans, great entertainment, and now Arts Smart. This is a day for everyone to enjoy Downtown Mocksville.”

Jenni Pleasant, Davie County Schools (DCS) marketing and communications officer, agreed: “We are grateful for our partnership with Ashley Furniture Industries for the event and thankful for the collaboration with the Daniel Boone Family Festival in order to collectively engage more of our community. As a collaborative event, we are bringing together students, staff, families, and the community in celebration and fellowship.”

The fun begins on Friday might with music at The Station  from 6-9:30 p.m., with Davie duo Adam Smith & Avery Brown performing a mix of county, southern rock, rock, and R&B  from 6-7 p.m. Rounding out the night, popular Mocksville folk duo His & Hers (Caleb and Sara Davis) and Americana/folk favorites Down the Mountain will present a rollicking good time with original music, traditionals, old classics with a spin, and surprising covers.

Daniel Boone spent nearly 25 years in the Yadkin Valley area, and two of the three tours revolve around landmarks associated with the Boone clan. The big attraction for Boone buffs are the tours that run at 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:15 p.m. Tours are $5 and are provided by bus or van.

These tours include stops at historic Joppa Cemetery, where Daniel’s parents Squire and Sarah Boone and his brother Israel are buried (Israel’s grave is the oldest in the cemetery); the Boone Tract at Bear Creek, a 640-acre parcel of land granted to Squire Boone in 1753 and later sold to his son Daniel; the Daniel Boone Marker in Farmington; and nearby Pudding Ridge, where General Cornwallis crossed Dutchman Creek in pursuit of Nathanael Greene (Cornwallis named the area for the thick mud in the area his troops had to march through).

A tour departing at 11:45 a.m. visits Joppa Cemetery, Bear Creek, and the Boone Tract,  but adds tours of the Jesse A. Clement House (built in1828) and Historic Center Arbor, constructed as a site for “camp meetings” during the Third Great Awakening in 1876.

The last tour, which departs at 1:15 p.m., takes visitors to the River Park at the Bull Hole; Veach’s Muster Ground; Revolutionary War hero Richmond Pearson‘s gravesite; and the Historic Zachary Holt House and Village Museum of Cooleemee, both of which have exhibits centered around the area’s once-booming textile industry.

All tours are $5 and are provided by bus or van.

Celebrate the Arts

Arts Smart 2022, sponsored by Ashley Furniture, will take place along North Main Street from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature student artists and performers from all schools in Davie.

Arts Smart 2022 will include stages with theater, music, and dance performances, visual art galleries, make-and-take stations for children, food vendors, and more.

West Depot Concerts

Grab your chair and head over to West Depot for a hand clappin’, foot tappin’ good time.

Saturday’s Performance Schedule: 1:30, Hotwax and the Splinters, fast-paced bluegrass; next on stage is rising Nashville artist Alex Key and the Locksmiths, whose band features a 90s country sound with a bit of honky tonk; Everette, country and rock & roll, headlines the evening.

All performances are free of charge. Alcoholic beverages and water can be purchased in the concert area (no coolers). Food will be available for purchase at the food court.

The Daniel Boone Family Festival is sponsored by the Mocksville Tourism Development Authority. To learn more, visit MocksvilleNC.org or contact Community Development Coordinator Langdon at  tlangdon@mocksvillenc.gov or (336)-753-6705.

To learn more about ArtsSmart, visit https://www.godavie.org/departments/academic-services/arts-smart.