COSBY-Hundreds of people are expected to attend the annual Cosby in the Park festival on Saturday, May 16, at the Cosby Campground.
This year's event will occur in the campground amphitheatre and the picnic area, both located along the campground entrance road. Free parking will be available in campground Loop B.
Cosby in the Park is a festival held in partnership among Cocke County government, Great Smoky Mountains Association, and the National Park service, according to Park spokesman Nancy Gray.
Among the many planned activities for the day will be a special proclamation by Tennessee State Representative Eddie Yokley in memory of John "Toot" Phillips, who died this past year.
During the Korean War, Phillips, a Cosby native and descendant of early settlers Jonas and Sallie (Sutton) Phillips, was a prisoner-of-war for nearly three years.
"Mr. Phillips' bravery and patriotism exemplify the traditions of the families who settled this area of East Tennessee," said Cocke County Tourism Director Linda Lewanski. "His courage during his time as a prisoner continues to inspire his family and those who knew him. We are honored that Rep. Yokley and the Tennessee legislature have remembered him in this way."
Phillips' wife Carrie and other family members will accept the proclamation.
Once again, cultural demonstrations, traditional music entertainment, hikes, storytelling, and children's games will be free to the public. They are scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Among the musical groups appearing will be Lost Mill String Band, The Green Family Band, David McClary and Mountain Strings, Boogertown Gap, and Curtis and Lynn Osteen.
At 11:30 a.m., a portion of the recent dramatic production "Under the Apple Trees" will be given by some of the cast members. The original play tells the story of the Carver family and the evolution of the family's apple orchard from its pre-Civil War beginnings to 1940, when the family left their original home in today's Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
At 1:00 p.m., Sheila Evans will tell about the late Ella V. Costner, who was named "Poet Laureate of the Smokies." Costner, a registered nurse, achieved fame as a poet, historian, and storyteller.
Charlie Monday will speak on beekeeping and the art of dowsing at 1:30 p.m.
Morgan and Matthew Briggs will lead a one-mile hike along the nature trail at 12:00, and at 1:30, Shane and Judy McGaha and Alma Williamson will lead another hike to Ella Cosnter's grave.
Both hikes are rated as moderate.
Ongoing demonstrations by Jon and Sherry Holt (beekeeping), Clayton Sharp (blacksmithing), Maria Holloway and Ellen Ogle (quilting), and Len Landrum (blacksmithing and blade making) will delight and educate festival-goers.
Displays of artifacts pertaining to Cosby history will be presented by Morgan and Matthew Briggs and Judy and Shane McGaha.
At 10:00 a.m., a variety of children's activities will begin. These include sack races, old-timey toys, and other games and will be led by Carolyn Templeton, Dianne Goss, Robin Goddard, and Gay Thompson.
Of special interest are mountain stories and music which will be presented by Mike and Kathy Gwinn at 1:00 p.m.
"This event is a wonderful opportunity for park neighbors and visitors to experience this beautiful area of the national park and learn about its history," said GSMNP Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. "Cosby is rich in mountain scenery and pre-park history."