Today is the annual Square Dance in Tellico Plains. It's always on the Saturday before the 4th and has been a tradition for over 50 years. When the tradition first started it was to launch the wagon train that left for Murphy NC and it actually consisted of real square dancing and a lot of it. I remember in the 2nd grade my teacher actually taught us square dancing and I'm fairly certain some of my fellow students in my class really showed off their talents that year of dosido'ing. Through the years the square dancing has slacked off. There's still a few who showcase their ability of the lost art but not like there used to be when it first started. There's still the music and people gathering in the streets of town to visit and celebrate the day.
The wagon train was a huge deal. People came from all over with their covered wagons and supplies packed up ready for the yearly journey through the mountains. Men, women and children alike made the journey and most of the town would be there to send them off. One man (Chester from a previous blog) actually walked the entire trail behind the wagons one year. Charles Hall who was the Mayor of Tellico Plains for many years was a big part of the wagon train (these are his pictures from his museum that has pictures through the years of the wagon train history).
The original theme of the 4th of July Square Dance may have lessened in popularity over the years but the fellowship is still the same. Quoting Patrick Hawkins (the Mayor) from his interview with the paper, "It's more like a family reunion now with friends and family." The important part is that the town has maintained the tradition.
In the winter we have the candlelight walk. The town is decorated as far as the eye can see with luminaries that are lit with candles all down the streets and the sidewalks. The local businesses open their doors for cups of hot chocolate, the Methodist Church opens it doors to people who want to warm up by the fire outside the church and they have homemade cookies galore, hot chocolate and coffee to whoever wants it. They even take turns carrying trays to the bottom of the hill to wait for the next horse and buggy that comes through with passengers to treat them. We even have our own Grinch and his cave. And there are characters from The Christmas Carol who mingle throughout the crowd. And my personal favorite it the Cookie Caper sponsored by the Cherokee Women's Club where you can buy cookies of any flavor that your heart desires. The evening festivities are started off with the Mayor (Patrick) lighting the town Christmas tree. Oh and I can't forget to mention the gingerbread house competition that brings out the artistic creation of all ages.
A tradition is not always in the form of a town celebration. It's something that through passion and desire to pass on to generations to come. My own children have followed suit with the simple tradition of jumping off the steel bridge that is up on the river. They have gone with friends and family over the years and carried on the tradition that was started more years ago than I can count. During the hot summer days, on any day of the week, you can drive up the river and see kids and adults too standing there patiently awaiting their time to jump into the cold river to cool off. I imagine that like the yearly 4th of July square dance and the candlelight walk this tradition will go on long after I am gone.
Traditions are a wonderful thing. It's something that is more than a date circled on the calendar, it's something to look forward to and something to look back on. It's not just yearly a yearly get together event, it's something that becomes a part of you through the years. Whether it be a square dance, a candlelight walk or jumping off the "made famous" bridge, it's nice to be a part of history and it's a chance to make a memory.
