Spring River Fest at Living River
May 18, 2024
May 18, 2024
Event Details:- Cahaba Lily Festival and Lunch in West Blocton (9:10 am start): Every year, the town of West Blocton holds a street festival to celebrate the arrival of the Cahaba Lilies at the Wildlife Refuge. Please take part in the Cahaba Lily Festival on the morning of Spring River Fest including a delicious potluck lunch. We look forward to the Lily Festival and the blooming of the Cahaba Lilies! Learn more about the Cahaba Lily Festival here: https://cahabalilyfestival.com/
- Craft Fair (12:00-6:30 pm): We have a great variety of crafters already lined up to showcase their goods during the afternoon in the Dining Hall. - Fossil Hike (12:30 pm): All ages are welcome to hike up to Fossil Ridge with Alabama Paleontological Association member, Ashley Allen, and learn from his expertise! Meet at the Lake. Visit their website to learn more about APS: https://www.alabamapaleosoc.org/ - Guided Nature Photography (12:30 pm): Join Montevallo photographer, Tonia Mayton (https://www.facebook.com/toniaedenphotography/), on a guided hike! You'll have the opportunity to practice stopping, noticing, and learn more about the art of photography. |
The Southeastern Mvskoke (Creek) Nation at Spring River Fest:
"Although the [Creek] Indians settled primarily on the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, they fanned out also to the west along the Cahaba...
These Creeks who made the banks of the Cahaba and its tributaries their home for around three centuries before the white settlers intruded on them were instinctive conservationists... Today, around a century and a half after the Indians' retreat westward, no remains of their villages can be discovered in Bibb County. Now these locations must be sought primarily on early maps, which, however, do not always agree. Various state maps represent the Upper Creek towns in this area as Penootaw, or Pensatau, and Ischooka; and oral tradition add Osoonee. John Melish in sketchy maps published in 1818 and 1819 showing Andrew Jackson's targets in the Creek War of 1813-1814, placed Penootaw on the east bank of the Cahaba River... By 1820 he had revised his spelling, listing "Upper Pensotau, 13 houses, Lower Pensotau, 28 houses." -Rhoda Ellison, Bibb County, Alabama Click the map to the right and zoom in on the Cahaba River to find Upper Pensotau and Lower Pensotau, appearing a little downstream on the Cahaba from Living River! We are so pleased to be welcome four crafters, Hannah Tolar - Beading, Chris Thompson - Shell Carving, Kelly Spivey - Bone Carving, and Tina Schonour - stick weaving, and the Mvskoke Nation Chief, Michelle Gilmore, to Spring River Fest! - Craft Demonstrations (3:00 pm) - Historic and Spiritual Discussion from Chief Gilmore (4:00 pm) |
Other Opportunities at Spring River Fest:
- Archery, Bounce House, and Field Games (1:30-3:00 pm): Elementary age and up are welcome to join Montevallo Presbyterian's archery expert, Don Blakeley, to try their hand at archery! A bounce house will be on the field and equipment for volleyball, football, and ultimate!
- Hiking and Fishing (ongoing): A trail map will be available for any interested in hiking trails on their own. The guided hike will be around 1.5 miles in length. Those interested in a shorter hike can walk the Keller Railroad Trail or parts of other trails. Living River's lake will be open for fishing!
- Recognition of 2023's Bedrock Sustaining Donors (5:00 pm)
- Food Trucks and Live Music (5:30-7:00 pm)
- Hiking and Fishing (ongoing): A trail map will be available for any interested in hiking trails on their own. The guided hike will be around 1.5 miles in length. Those interested in a shorter hike can walk the Keller Railroad Trail or parts of other trails. Living River's lake will be open for fishing!
- Recognition of 2023's Bedrock Sustaining Donors (5:00 pm)
- Food Trucks and Live Music (5:30-7:00 pm)
All are welcome to participate in any part of the day.
Sit, chat, shop, eat, learn, hike...
And please, invite friends!
Sit, chat, shop, eat, learn, hike...
And please, invite friends!
Fall River Fest 2023's pictures and details are below: