Heritage Days on the Old National Road - June 12-14

      We are excited about the plans for Heritage Days!  It looks as if it is going to be one of the most exciting events to be held in Martinsville in a long time.  I thought it would be good to post the Press Release we sent to local & area newspapers a few days ago on my blog since many of you do not receive our local newspapers.

EQUINE PARADE AND DRAFT HORSE, MULE & HAFLINGER SHOW TO HI-LITE

MARTINSVILLE’S HERITAGE DAYS FESTIVAL

Heritage Days on the Old National Road will be celebrated in Martinsville on June 12-14 with a weekend packed full of fun for the entire family.   The Festival has grown each year and 2015 promises to be the largest yet with new features and outstanding musicians throughout the weekend.  

The 2015 Festival is sure to bring in horse enthusiasts from miles around, not only to see the 3rd Annual All-equine Parade but because there will be a spectacular new addition; the Draft Horse, Mule & Haflinger Show featuring stately, majestic horses & mules and their beautiful carriages in competition.

Bill and Judy Crouch, of rural Casey, have many years of experience in the show horse business and are committing their time and energy to make sure this first annual event is a success.  The Crouches have already received commitments from several owners/trainers of top hitches from across the country, including the Blue Ribbon Days team, which won the 2014 Classic Six and previous Percheron Congress competitions.   Many of the teams showing in Martinsville have been featured on the RFD-TV Gentle Giant Show.  Since the Draft Horse and Haflinger 6-hitch competitions have been sanctioned as qualifying competitions for points in the 2015 standings, it is expected they will draw a number of teams from all across the country.  There will also be an Antique Farm Machinery Class.

The spectacular Horse Show will hi-light Saturday and Sunday afternoons of the festival.   We expect several of the competing hitches will also participate in the Third Annual All-equine Parade, which will be held in front of the grandstand at the Fairgrounds on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.  All horsemen are encouraged to enter what promises to be a spectacular event, including individual saddle, saddle clubs, carriage, and hitches of ponies, horses or mules.  For information regarding the parade, please contact Brenda at 217-232-3232 or email at mville62442@gmail.com. 

The Festival weekend will feature many activities in addition to the Draft Horse Show and Equine Parade.  Heritage Days will officially begin on Friday night, June 12, with “A Night of Bluegrass: Four Bands in Four Hours” performing at the new Linn Park Amphitheater, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The Festival will feature some of the best bluegrass musicians in the area, including Firebox, Coon Holler Kids, Salt Creek, and Cornfields & Crossroads.  Food vendors will be available in the park.  Plan to bring your blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the food and music. 

All Heritage Days daytime events on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, will take place at the Fairgrounds.  In addition to the Draft Horse, Mule & Haflinger Show, there will be: Artisan Vendors  (all merchandise will be hand-crafted)

Demonstrations by Artisans

Native American Artifacts & Re-enactments  

Early settlement life skill demonstrations (spinning, weaving, milking, etc.)

Free Barrel train rides for the children

Equine Parade in front of the Grandstands on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Food vendors to provide all of your favorite festival foods

If you are interested in reserving an Artisan booth to sell your handmade items, please contact Norma Calvert at 713-865-0022 or 618-569-3035.

Saturday evening the community can enjoy more music at the Linn Amphitheater in downtown Martinsville beginning at 6:30 with Jake Hoult and his band and Battle Creek.  These bands play a variety of music leaning towards Country so everyone will find a favorite song filling the air.

A Community Church Service is being planned for Sunday.  The Reverend John Hobbs, from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, will be the speaker.  Reverend Hobbs has been involved in youth camps and evangelism throughout his lifetime.   

Following the service, everyone will want to enjoy lunch at the Fairgrounds and the wrap-up of the Heritage Days Draft Horse, Mule & Haflinger Show.   The spectacular 6-horse hitches are first on the show bill for Sunday afternoon.  You can walk through the barns to look at these magnificent animals, check out artist demonstrations, visit with the Native American Re-enactors, see a large exhibit of Indian Artifacts,  and browse through the artisan vendors one more time for the opportunity to buy unique handmade items.   

Sunday evening everyone will enjoy a laughter-filled evening with Aaron Wilburn, a comedian, singer and songwriter who has written over 1500 songs.  Aaron has appeared numerous times on the Gaither Homecoming Hour and has over 16,000,000 hits on his YouTube videos.