Hunter James, a second-grade student at Grassy Fork Elementary School, brought the crowd to its feet Friday night when he played "Rocky Top" on his mandolin, while holding the instrument behind his back. Hunter is the son of David and Robin James.

NEWPORT-Time turned back Friday night when two Civil War generals held an audience of over 300 enthralled at the Cocke County Courthouse as Newport kicked off its annual Harvest Street Festival weekend.

Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, portrayed by Civil War re-enactors Danny Buckner and David Chaltas, held a "conversation" with the audience as they related the stories of their military actions during the Civil War.

In dress uniforms, the two shared both military and personal stories from their days as leaders of armies bitterly pitted against one another.

Dozens of parents, grandparents, and teachers were in the audience to enjoy old-time recitations by schoolchildren in grades Pre-K-4 and to cheer on their favorite contestant in a spelling bee for students in grades 5-8.

Those reciting poems and other readings were Grant Holt and Melody Shults (Centerview), Taylor Whitten and Sarah Stokely (Del Rio), Will Grooms, Chandra Cupp, and Sarah Beth Grooms (Grassy Fork), Nicholas Wardroup and Abigail Frazier (Parrottsville), Cooper Stuart, Savanna Arrington, and Aubrey Stuart (Smoky Mountain), and Caroline Brawley (Newport Grammar).

Matthew Russell, representing Newport Grammar School, took home the winner's spelling bee trophy, and Robert Lehman, a student at Grassy Fork Elementary, was runner-up.

Other spellers were Raiden Worley, Matthew Worley, and Michael Worley (Del Rio), Harley Ford and Peyton Johnson (Grassy Fork), D. J. Holt and Ike Rouleau (Parrottsville), Lakoda Styles, Julie McGaha, and Victoria Martin (Smoky Mountain), and Savannah Brawley (Newport Grammar School).

New this year was a talent division. Each elementary school was invited to send one entry to entertain the audience.

Keelan Ford, NGS student, accompanied himself on the guitar as he sang "I'll Fly Away," and Ethan Barrett from Del Rio Elementary echoed Ford's performance as he sang the same hymn while playing the guitar.

Brittany Baker and Carley List formed a singing duet as they represented Smoky Mountain.

Hunter James, a second-grader from Grassy Fork, brought the crowd alive with his mandolin solos, including the playing of "Rocky Top" while holding his instrument behind his back.

A cake auction sponsored by Cocke County Leadership Class of 2008 netted several hundred dollars for the class's newly-established scholarship.

Rounding out the evening was a square dance on the courthouse lawn with music provided by David McClary, Adele McDonald, Mack Hodgson, and Denton Bragg.

Visitors could also watch members of the Smoky Mountain Gem and Mineral Society as they demonstrated cabbing, and visit a petting zoo organized by Dr. Carol Hood.

Once again Food City served hundreds of hot dogs, chips, desserts, and drinks to festival-goers.

Sponsored by the Cocke County Partnership

In keeping with the evening's Civil War theme, representatives of the Newport/Cocke County Museum brought several Civil War-era items and other military memorabilia for a display.

The Rev. Jimmy Morrow, Del Rio historian, entertained with Appalachian stories, as President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln (Mike and Jude Moore) strolled through the crowd.

Another highlight of the evening was the arrival of the Relay for Life Wagon Train, sponsored by The Volunteers, a courthouse-based Relay for Life team.

Old Timey Night is sponsored by the Cocke County Partnership.