History of the
Union County Heritage Festival
2004-2009
In 2004 the Union County Chamber of Commerce and Union County Historical Society called a group of volunteers together to work collectively to organize a festival and it would be called the Union County Heritage Festival. Crafts, food vendors, all entertainment and demonstrators were stationed on the grounds of the Roy Acuff Union Museum & Library; the fine arts and quilt show juried shows were inside the museum from 2004-2007. However due to the lack of sufficient vendor space and issues with parking, the committee voted to move all vendors and demonstrators to Wilson Park.
2007- The committee voted to incorporate, form a Board of Directors and an Oversight Committee who is responsible to the Board.
The Board is made up of 3 people from the Chamber of Commerce, 3 from the Historical Society and 3 elected at-large.
2008- The Festival expanded to include competition in the following: pinto bean and cornbread cook-off, Kidz Zone, car show, Heritage Olympics, and Heritage Idol As well as the 4-H demonstration and competition. The crowd was estimated at approximately 4,000. The Fine Arts and Quilt show continued to be held at the Museum with a shuttle bus between the two venues. Also, local artist, Betty Bullen painted, signed and numbered, the first of a series, the official Heritage print. It was of the original Union County courthouse, circa 1935. It was offered to the public for $20 per print.
2009- Again, the cook-off will be held, the Heritage Olympics, entertainment, Kidz Zone, and Heritage Idol. Additions to the Festival: Kids games, Shriner’s Jeep Patrol tractor show, and a wagon train. Demonstrators include lard rendering, whittling, lye making, apple cider, apple butter, churning and spinning.
The second Heritage print series has been signed and numbered (1-200) by artist, Betty Bullen and is now on sale at a cost of $20.
Each year the Rocky Top award is given to the booth displaying the most originality.
The Union County Heritage Festival is held annually on the third Saturday.
We hope you all have enjoyed your visit and will come back again next year!