If you are looking for something to do during the month of October here locally, then you are in luck as several events and celebrations are planned, including a full day of events this Saturday in downtown Williamsburg.
- The Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society & Museum will hold its 20th Annual Heritage Day on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It is located at the old Williamsburg Train Depot off Main Street near the railroad crossing.
There will be exhibits, tours, door prizes, and a scavenger hunt this year.
This is a neat little event each year that showcases what the historical and genealogical society has to offer. While the building isn’t huge, it houses lots of genealogical records, various pieces of town history that have been donated, and lots of pictures.
There are also often people set up with booths outside too. I don’t know that they will be back this year, but often there is someone there exhibiting old coal script. For those that don’t know, back in the old days coal companies often built small communities around their mines complete with housing for families and company stores. Many times, part of the miners pay would be in “script,” which could be spent at the company store.
- Williamsburg’s Third Annual Oktober Fest is also slated for Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Green Space on Main. It will take place from 4 – 10 p.m. and feature live bands and more.
- October Fest comes to downtown Corbin on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This year’s event will feature a bounce house and 18-foot inflatable slide from All About Fun Inflatables, games, a petting zoo and so forth. There will also be a wide variety of craft and artisan vendors, and a number of food trucks in addition to downtown restaurants.
The Whitley County Farmers Market is also joining the festivities this year.
Corbin’s October Fest will be held in conjunction with the final Cumberland Valley Cruise-In of the season. If you like checking out antique cars and trucks, this event is for you.
- From Oct. 16-18, Williamsburg will be a Jeep town with over 100 Jeeps from all over the county pouring into town for the annual Gateway to the Cumberlands Jeep Jamboree. The event, which is for Jeeps only, allows visitors to go off-road on several trails throughout southern Whitley County and northern Campbell County, Tennessee.
It is an impressive site to see the participants gathered in the parking lot of the Kentucky Splash Waterpark each morning and follow guides out to the trails for some off-roading fun. Pre-registration is required for the event.
- The City of Williamsburg will hold its annual Fall Clean-Up this month as well. It will take place Oct. 20-24 for the Highland Park side of town, and Oct. 27-31 for the downtown side.
During those time periods, Williamsburg workers will pick-up one, and only one, pick-up truck size load of items per household. The city will pick up anything except for tires, batteries, shingles and any type of acids. All furniture and mattresses must be wrapped in plastic, or it will not be picked up.
Brush and limbs should be set to the side and not put in your container. Participants should call 549-6036 when they are ready for their “one” free pick-up, city officials added.
- Also, let me offer a reminder that Williamsburg’s trick or treating won’t take place on Halloween night as usual because Williamsburg High School has a home football game scheduled for Oct. 31 versus Knox Central. Williamsburg Independent School is located between 10th and 11th streets, which are traditionally two of the busiest streets for trick or treating each year.
Instead, Williamsburg Trick or Treating will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
