Cowpens National Battlefield invites you to celebrate our nation’s independence with a day of family programs on Saturday, July 2, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., when the park hosts its annual Celebration of Freedom. Although there will be no fireworks, the park will highlight patriotic activities throughout the day.

The event features guided battlefield walks, 18th century weapons firing demonstration, ranger talks, and hands-on children’s activities. The park movie, Cowpens: A Battle Remembered will show on the hour from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. in the visitor center museum. Rangers and volunteers will start the fiber-optic map showing the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution on request.

The day’s special activities will begin at 10:30, with a one-hour ranger-guided battlefield walk along the 1.25 mile interpretive trail. Park rangers will lead additional tours at 11:30, 12:30, and 2:30.

Eighteenth century weapons firing demonstrations will be at 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 2:45, and 3:30.

At 1:15, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors are welcome to participate and should let a ranger know by 1 p.m. on the day of the event if they would like to read a short section. There will also be 20-minute ranger talk about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution at 2:15.

The park is setting aside a children’s tent where children 5 – 95 years old can find their park. Children will have the opportunity to do things such as rolling musket cartridges, making fans, and writing with quill pens from 12–3 p.m.

All special activities will take place outside, and visitors should dress for the weather.

Cowpens National Battlefield, a unit of the National Park Service, is located at 4001 Chesnee Highway, Gaffney, S.C., 29341. It commemorates a decisive American victory over regular British forces. The battle helped turn the tide of war in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.

The park is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m, closed all federal holidays except Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. For more information, call 864-461-2828 or visit us on the web at nps.gov/cowp.

– article submitted
by Ginny Fowler