Discovery Park’s David Crockett Homestead, Heritage Festival adds Grammy-nominated musician Kevin Moore, others to three-day festival

Discovery Park of America will host the David Crockett Homestead and Heritage Festival on Fri., Oct. 17, through Sun., Oct. 19. The three-day event, free with park admission or membership, will feature living historians, artisans, musicians, educators and demonstrators who will bring to life the experiences of early settlers in West Tennessee.

Just added to the schedule on Sunday at 2 p.m. is a performance by Grammy-nominated Kevin Moore, a multi-instrumentalist known for performing fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo with the Gaither Vocal Band. Moore will be joined by vocalist Tyler Sherwood of Union City and guitarist Holden McConnell of South Fulton.

Other performances during the festival include bluegrass musician Brent Hopper on Friday and Ralston Station and Mulberry Jam on Saturday. Mulberry Jam will lead a community jam session from 2:15 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The jam session is open to guests who bring an instrument, and they receive free admission for the day.

Friday will focus on educational programming for students, offering hands-on learning opportunities with artisans, reenactors and interpreters. Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore The Settlement, where craftspeople will demonstrate blacksmithing, knife making, chainsaw art, leatherworking, woodworking, quilting, candle making, butter churning and other 1800s trades. Vendors will offer handmade goods including jewelry, baked and canned items, soap and crafts.

J.C. Stahlman’s Living History Group will present encampments representing the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the Civil War and other key periods. Each setting will include demonstrations and discussions about daily life, tools and traditions from the time period. Guests can also enjoy interactive activities such as fishing and tomahawk throwing.

Special presentations will include a demonstration on tea-making in the 1850s, candle and dye-making lessons, sourdough bread making, and “Three Steamboat Stories That Changed America,” a presentation by Discovery Park CEO and author Scott Williams. His talk will explore how steamboats transformed life on the West Tennessee frontier, a theme also found in his books about David Crockett and early Tennessee history.

Discovery Park’s wildlife department will feature furs on display and touch table demonstrations, allowing guests to get an up-close look at native Tennessee species and learn about the region’s rich natural heritage.

“Discovery Park’s mission is to inspire children and adults to see beyond,” said Williams. “This event gives guests a chance to connect directly with the people, tools and traditions that shaped our region. We want visitors to walk away with a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and perseverance of those who built communities along the frontier.”

Eats-n-Treats will have beef stew, chili and cornbread for purchase during the festival. Guests can also take photos with costumed interpreters and the park’s Cave Bear.

The festival is surrounded by Discovery Park’s Pumpkin Village, a favorite seasonal attraction featuring thousands of pumpkins and fall displays throughout the 1800s Settlement.

A full schedule of events and vendor listings is available at discoveryparkofamerica.com/dchh.