Pioneer Days Marks Opening of Cannonsburgh for Summer Season

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Every year for 43 years, beginning the year it was built, Cannonsburgh Village has opened the summer season with the Pioneer Days Celebration. The event, held this year on April 27, was coordinated by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation and celebrated the history of the village with food, craft demonstrations, historic costumes, entertainment, and docents in costume available to tell a little of the history of each of the buildings on the grounds.

Two years ago, Pioneer Days began a partnership with Rutherford Parent Magazine, which brought Kid Fest to the grounds on the same day. Combining the event has increased the number of people attending, and drawn families to Cannonsburgh. Kids and their parents enjoyed listening to the history, watching the entertainment, and taking a hayride together.

“This is the busiest year I have seen,” said docent Bobby Turman.

Perfect weather brought everyone out, including dogs who were enjoying their time in the sun as much as their owners. One even found his way into the water.

“We have had steady attendance since opening because the weather has been so good,” said Tammy Cline, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation staff. “I am not sure what our attendance has been, but I’d say at least 3,000 people. People are having to park further away than in previous years.”

Inside the village, all crafts had to be handmade. There was a woodworker, potter, blacksmiths, soap maker, fabric artists, and much more. Outside of the village, in the area around the Kid Fest there were other items for sale.

Activities included live music from Uptown Country and 231 South Band. They performed on the porch of the main building. Several different clogging groups performed, including Cripple Creek Cloggers and Mid-State Cloggers.

“There are also a number of demonstrations,” said Cline. “There are steam engine demonstrations, in the Leiman House Terry Goodrich is doing tatting and other fiber art, Donnie and Teresa Fergus Fergus are cooking in a Dutch oven, and Roy Overcast is doing pottery making demonstration by the old train caboose.”

River State Posse had a gun exhibit, the Murfreesboro Art League opened their gallery, the Stones River Blacksmiths Association were working their forges, and there was an antique car show in the old gas station. Kids Fest provided a number of bouncy castles, slides, and other inflatables for the kids.

Food trucks provided hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, and other standard fair food. Miss Pokey’s Lemonade – named after a scandalous female bootlegger – came from McMinnville.

“Most people don’t get the “Miss Pokey’s” name unless you are from McMinnville,” said Cline, “but it brings in another part of our history. There was lots of bootlegging being done around here in the past.”

The event is coordinated by Shelia Hodges, Cannonsburgh Village Facilities Coordinator and her staff, along with the help of 20 volunteers, and a number of different organizations interested in history. They also coordinate Harvest Days, which closed out the season in late October.

“There is something for everyone,” said Cline.

Cannonsburgh Village Details:
Cannonsburgh Village
312 South Front Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: 615-890-0355

Village Hours of Operation: May 1 through November 30
Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.