2026 David Crockett Homestead and Bluegrass Festival

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Experience the Sounds, Skills and Stories of Early Settlers

This two-day celebration invites guests to explore traditional crafts, homesteading practices and bluegrass music while gaining a deeper appreciation for the everyday lives of early American settlers. 

Guests will enjoy educational demonstrations, hands-on learning experiences and live performances throughout the festival. Explore a lively marketplace featuring talented artisans offering handcrafted goods, watch skilled craftspeople at work and take part in a community bluegrass jam. 

Join us for an unforgettable journey back in time as we explore the lives of David Crockett and other early settlers of West Tennessee. This year, we’re thrilled to announce an expanded celebration with our two-day homestead and bluegrass festival.

This event is included with Discovery Park admission or membership.

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What to Expect:

Historical Demonstrations:

• Watch skilled craftspeople showcase traditional frontier skills.
• Experience hands-on educational activities.

Live Music:

• Enjoy the sounds of live bluegrass music that will set the perfect atmosphere for the festival.
• Those interested in participating in the “Jam Session” led by Mulberry Jam can receive free admission when bringing an instrument.

Marketplace:

• Browse through a vibrant marketplace filled with talented artisans offering unique handcrafted goods.

Eats-n-Treats:

• Enjoy homemade beef stew and cornbread, available for purchase, the ideal treat on a cool fall afternoon.

Living Historians: 

• J.C. Stahlman’s Living History Group presents engaging historical interpretations representing the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, Pioneer Life, the Early Republic, David Crockett’s Alamo, the Civil War and World War II. Each encampment offers an authentic look into the daily lives, tools and stories of those who shaped our nation’s past. These living historians will be on site Friday and Saturday in The Settlement from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Animal Encounters: 

• Discovery Park’s Wildlife Department will host touch table/talks and fur demonstrations (Friday and Saturday)

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Schedule of Events

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Friday, October 23

Friday kicks off the festival with a day of history, storytelling and music. Explore The Settlement with vendors, reenactors, blacksmiths and demonstrations, encounter wildlife through the Land Between the Lakes program and enjoy live bluegrass performances.

Friday also features American storytelling and the launch party for Moments They Made: The Photography of Nonie and Verne Sabin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]

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Saturday, October 24

Saturday brings a lively lineup of bluegrass, history and hands-on experiences for all ages. Visit The Settlement to see reenactors, vendors, blacksmiths and demonstrations, enjoy Pumpkin Village activities and hear performances ranging from traditional bluegrass to The Kody Norris Show.

Special programming includes “David Crockett’s Farewell,” a presentation by Discovery Park CEO, Scott Williams, as well as David Crockett’s rally to fight Texas at the Alamo.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]

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BLUEGRASS PERFORMANCES

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Guests may bring lawn chairs for the Great Lawn performance

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The Kody Norris Show

The Kody Norris Show combines a retro look with a modern bluegrass sound, earning a growing fan base and industry recognition. The group’s latest album, “Highfalutin Hillbilly,” highlights its blend of tradition and innovation. With strong roots in classic country and bluegrass, the band continues to expand its reach through national performances and touring.

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Mulberry Jam

Mulberry Jam is a five-piece band that plays period songs of the past with traditional instruments and arrangements of the string dance performers of the 19th and early 20th century. The weekend’s community jam sessions will be led by Mulberry Jam, supported in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Discovery Park of America. 

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Ralston Station

Ralston Station (formerly Ryman Shadows) is a Martin, Tennessee bluegrass band that has enjoyed playing traditional music for over two decades. The band has been featured two years in a row at the Soybean Festival and has also performed around the community, including Discovery Park and local churches.  The band performs both instrumental and vocal sets and has been televised on WJLT’s Gospel Showcase.  

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The Tennessee Tradition Band

The Tennessee Tradition Band is West Tennessee-based Modern Traditional Bluegrass Band featuring sounds of traditional bluegrass, country and gospel music. Join us for a show filled with amazing musicianship, rich harmony and down-home entertainment.

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Community Jam Session

Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Bring your own string instrument and receive FREE admission

Community Jam Sessions are a way for musicians of all levels to come together, connect and create music in a casual and supportive environment. Jam sessions bring musicians from all walks of life together. This session is open for anyone who wants to participate, whether they are a seasoned musician or a beginner. It’s an opportunity for people to share their passion for music and engage in a collective musical experience. Unlike more formal performances or rehearsals, community jam sessions have a laid-back atmosphere. 

This project is supported in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Discovery Park of America. 

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20+ Vendors & Demonstrators

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Program Highlights & More

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Exhibit Launch: “Moments They Made: The Photography of Nonie and Verne Sabin”

Friday, Oct. 23 | 3:30 p.m.

Join the celebration of the launch of this new permanent exhibit that draws from thousands of images preserved by the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Enjoy early photographs of Reelfoot Lake, Union City and the surrounding area, many that have rarely, if ever, been seen by the public. Included are light hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and entertainment by Jargon.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Interactive Train Robbery

Saturday, Oct. 24

The Dead Tree Desperados, a cowboy reenactment group known for staged Old West action and humor, will stage an interactive train robbery aboard Discovery Park’s vintage train.

This program will be free with park admission or membership.

Interactive train robberies will be at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to start time.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

David Crockett’s Farewell

Saturday, Oct. 24 | 11 a.m. 

Early November 1835, David Crockett arrived in Memphis, anxious to begin the next chapter of his life. After losing his congressional seat to Adam Huntsman, a lawyer from Jackson, Tennessee, Crockett looked west to Texas for a fresh start. In the words famously attributed to him, Crockett told his former constituents, “You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.” Before crossing the Mississippi River for the last time, Crockett spent one final night in Memphis. A crowd of friends and political allies, including Marcus Winchester, Memphis’ first mayor, gave him a raucous farewell that began at the Union Hotel and continued through several of the city’s taverns. R. Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park of America and author of biographies of Crockett and Winchester, will take the audience behind the legend of that memorable night and explore the friendship, political ambitions and remarkable lives of Crockett and Winchester, two men who helped shape the history of West Tennessee. 

Scott Williams is the author of “Townmania: Marcus Winchester and the Making of Memphis,” “The Accidental Fame and Lack of Fortune of West Tennessee’s David Crockett” and other biographies. For more information, visit rscottwilliams.info.

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School Field Trips

Friday, Oct. 23

Schools may schedule a field trip through Discovery Park’s education department. The Kirkland Scholarship Fund provides free admission to qualifying schools with at least 50% of students participating in a free or reduced-price lunch program or schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision program. 

The scholarship covers student admission, one educational lesson and lunchroom rental. Proof of eligibility must be emailed or uploaded to education@discoveryparkofamerica.com. 

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Demonstrators, Reenactors and Vendors

Want to be part of this event? Whether you’re interested in becoming a vendor or participating as a living historian, reenactor or demonstrator we’d love to have you! Click the button below to sign up.

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The 2026 David Crockett Homestead and Bluegrass Festival is sponsored by Thompson CAT Machinery, Union City Eye Care, PC, Vantage Coffee Roasters, Higher Ground Coffee Co and Granges.

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