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The Blue Ridge Parkway boasts the most diverse range of flora and fauna in the entire National Park Service system. Photo by Ben Geer Keys
Valdese-Waldensian Trail of Faith Founder’s Festival
Valdese, NC • Near Milepost 310
Dates
May 28 -29, 2010
Event Times: 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. on 5/28; 9:00 -9:00 p.m. on 5/29
Cost
5/28/2010 - $2 and under; 5/28/2010 - $4 and under
Contact
Waldensian Trail of Faith
Linda Whisnant
828.874.1893
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.waldensiantrailoffaith.org
Location
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Waldensian Trail of Faith, 401 Church Street, Valdese NC 28690
The Valdese-Waldensian Trail of Faith Founder’s Festival commemorates the original settlers crossing the Atlantic and arriving by train on the Salisbury-Asheville line of the Southern Railway on May 29, 1893. The settlers purchased approximately 10,000 acres of land at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The determined Waldensian immigrants founded the Town of Valdese. The name comes from the Italian word for Waldensians-Valdesi-which was Americanized to Valdese. The Founder’s Festival will walk you back in time where you will find many of the items used by people years ago. See the 115 year-old sawmill still in operation, the first engine type invented in 1705 to see widespread use—the steam engine, see old fashioned farm life demonstrations, old engine displays, games, bocce, scouting displays, and 40+ exhibits such as Henry Ford’s first engine, old tools, water wheel, water pumps, wood saws. Demonstrations of bee honey and broom making, hay baling, weaving, etc. Re-live the history of the Civil War with the reenactments and display booths. Learn the history of the Waldenses. Through much perseverance and faith, God led them here. You will see exact replicas of buildings and monuments as they are in Italy. This is fun and educational for the entire family. The Founder’s Festival will entertain children with activities such as a water slide, inflatables, batting cage, etc. Entertainment provided each evening with popular bluegrass music of the mountains of North Carolina. Enjoy good food and homemade ice cream and homemade lemonade.
