2nd Annual Washington County Heritage Fair

HERITAGE FAIR DESIGNED FOR STUDENT LEARNING, ORGANIZATIONAL TEACHING

TEACHERS AND PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE

On Friday, May 8^th and Saturday, May 9^th, the 2^nd Annual Washington County Heritage Fair will open to education, teach, and preserve county heritage through a three-part event which will include a 5^th-8^th grade student heritage poster competition, a living history timeline, and heritage organization exhibits and presentations. Sponsored by the Jonesborough Genealogical Society, the Heritage Fair is not a new event to the Town of Jonesborough, but this year’s event will be expanded. On Friday, May 17, 2019, the JGS sponsored the first Heritage Fair in a one-day event throughout town of Jonesborough, with the help of many partners. 71 students conducted research within three categories, which include: Local History, Family History, and Preservation/Conservation Projects, and showcased posters for the competition. Projects were judged and awards given.

In addition, over 20 cultural and heritage organizations participated in the organizational exhibits and presentations as well as 12 living history timelines full of living history professionals. The event saw 240 people pass through the Jonesborough Visitors Center.

In 2020, the Jonesborough Genealogical Society is celebrating its 30^th Anniversary. As part of our anniversary celebration, the society, along with many partners, decided to extend the event over two days. On Friday, May 8^th, the event will be dedicated to Students. We hope by doing so, that teachers and parents will decide to make Jonesborough their classroom for the day. Field trips and special itinerary information can be provided to teachers to fit their educational needs by request to info@jgstn.org. In addition, the 5^th-8^th Grade Student Heritage Poster Competition will be hosted again this year. We hope that additional students in Washington County will participate. Entry is simple, go to jgstn.org/annual-heritage-fair and click student entry form. Entries can be made online. Guidelines and qualifications are also listed. Entry form deadline is Monday, March 2^nd.

On Saturday, May 9^th, the event will be opened to the public from 11 am to 4 pm. The Jonesborough Genealogical Society will host its Annual Membership and Hall of Fame Meeting in celebration of its 30^th Anniversary at the Washington County-Jonesborough Library, 200 Sabin Drive, Jonesborough, beginning at 9:30 am. The society will induct the 2020 class into the Jonesborough Genealogical Society’s Hall of Fame and celebrate the society’s history and mission at this meeting, which will open festivities for the Heritage Fair on Saturday morning. More information will be published as more information comes available. Many of the faces at last year’s event will also be at this year’s event, as well as some new faces. For more information on the Heritage Fair or to ask any questions, please email Chad Bailey at chadfredb@gmail.com or info@jgstn.org or call him at (423) 791-8295.