The Lincoln County Historical Society will hold its 27th Pioneer Day on Saturday
November 23rd at the Lincoln County Historical Park, 147 Lumber Street in Lincolnton.
President Don Thomas says, "It's a great event, and it’s the only day we open up the park
and operate everything. We have old time mountain music all day and barn dancing in
the pavilion. We’ll have great Southern Cooking, plus BBQ and hot dogs. We’ll have
cash people’s choice awards for the antique car show and antique tractor show as well.
It’s a lot of work to put it together, but it’s worth it when you see the smiles on our
guests’ faces. It’ll be a great day – you won't want to miss it!" Hours are from 10 am to
3 pm and admission is free. Pioneer Day is the only day when guests can see all the
attractions of the park in operation. Also, guests will have the opportunity to obtain raffle
tickets for a Smith and Wesson pistol.

Cars with handicapped plates or placards will be allowed down the driveway behind the
May House to drop off their guests, they should just let the Police Officer at the driveway
know of their intentions and their car will be escorted into the park for drop-off or
pick-up only.

Pioneer Day attractions include the grist mill, the animal powered cotton gin, the sawmill,
the one-room schoolhouse, the tenant house, Dr. May’s House and Office, the Country
Store, the Andrew Jackson Reid Log Cabin, the Smokehouse, the Blacksmith Shop, apple
cider press, displays of old farm implements and tools, an antique (pre-WWII) car show,
a tractor show, a quilt show, and spinning demonstrations; you could probably even learn
how to make hoe cakes or apple fritters. A select group of vendors, who only sell items
appropriate for the event, will also be on hand.

The Society’s Studebaker freight wagon will be on display in front of the Country Store,
where you might expect to see it on a Saturday morning. The Doctor’s buggy will be by
the back door of the Doctor’s office, ready to run out to make house calls. The Country
Store will be stocked with baked goods and handmade items for sale. The antique car and
tractor shows will have cash prizes for people’s choice awards with $100 for first place
and $50 second place.

The Pioneer Day food is a great example of Southern Cooking and it’s just one of the
things that make this a wonderful festival. The turnip greens have already been picked
and exquisitely prepared to be ready for serving on Pioneer Day. The apple fritters are
always a big hit from the opening moment to the absolute end of the day. Chicken and
dumplings, red beans and rice, fried okra, hash, hoe cakes, and sausage biscuits willround out the Southern Cooking. Barbeque and hot dogs will be available at the
concession stand.

Lincoln County Historical Society Pioneer Day Coordinator Gary Edwards comments,
“We try to make Pioneer Day a little different and hopefully a little better every year, so
new guests will be favorably impressed and those that return every year will find
something new and interesting as well.” For information or to volunteer, contact
Edwards at (757) 831-9556.