This weekend is the perfect time to travel to Barbourville-Knox County and the Daniel Boone Festival! Of all the events that happen in Kentucky Communities, nothing is more historical then the Daniel Boone Festival. This event honors the history which led to the discovery of Kentucky and the history of the people before we became a Commonwealth in 1792. Our Community is rich in history that includes not just the discovery of a new land, Ken-tuck-ee, as the Indians pronounced it, but the discovery of the Cumberland Gap by Dr. Thomas Walker and his journey to Barbourville in 1750, truly opened the gateway for the thousands of settlers who would cross The Gap, most notably because of his efforts to forge on, would be Daniel Boone.
Knox County has a rich tradition of family, heritage, and community. Those characteristics are still cherished values set us apart then and today. There are many communities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky that have been forgotten because of the fading of landmarks and the failure of those remaining to remember the history from which we began. Our rich history here in Knox County includes remembering little country stores that dotted our landscape that served as the post office and community information centers. Our rich history includes the one room school houses that educated our grandparents and parents and most importantly the rich history of we the people. Our history includes the first settlers that traveled on a path to Flat Lick, made friends and peace with the Indians who where here before us, and decided to make this land home. That historical site in Flat Lick marking the “Warriors Path” may not seem like much in the history of America today but there would be no Cumberland Gap Parkway without our fore-fathers who walked that very trail, cutting back brush as they went in search of new lands. Many discovered their dreams here in this land flowing with milk and honey.
With plenty of big game to hunt and soil rich for planting this land was a dream that became reality. Today we can still hunt big game. There are plenty of elk filling the mountains today because of the efforts of conservationist and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Yes, we even Black Bear too.
Barbourville-Knox County has a strong community history because of the churches that were established in these local settlements that became the base for community activities. When you walk the booths of the Daniel Boone Festival today the young may think of each different and individual church as the perfect place for chicken and dumplings, another for burgers or cornbread or deserts. Their participation in the Daniel Boone Festival has a real historical value because of their involvement in the settling of Knox County, Kentucky. Churches in Knox County have always served as a gathering place for worship, but there were the first establishments or institutions of learning. Many of our churches served as the first schools for reading and writing and the corporation of our educational school systems and our churches share a rich history of being a willing partner in assisting one another. This historical tradition of mutual aid to one another remains in place today here in Knox County. First Priority is a perfect example of the cooperation between churches, young people, and our communities today.
There is much to be proud of in Barbourville-Knox County and the Daniel Boone Festival is a shining gem of the history of this area. Remembering those that came before us is not only important historically, but it is also fun. Enjoy seeing the friends you’ve missed because of the hustle of life and enjoy the laughter of stories as you mingle the streets this weekend, but most importantly remember that “this land, our land” is an important part of not just Kentucky History but American History.
Until then
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