As a regular hiker in Hitchcock Woods, I’ve already begun to notice the shift of summer to fall. The color changes in leaves, the cool breeze, and the beginning of a series of events held in the Hitchcock Woods. This past Friday, the Hitchcock Woods Foundation hosted its 10th annual Festival of the Woods.
The Festival of the Woods is a celebration of the history and natural resources of Hitchcock Woods. The event featured a guest speaker, music preformed by Sean Free, dinner catered by Blue Marlin, and educational displays.
Featured speaker, Patrick McMillan, is an Emmy Award-winning host, co-creator, and writer of “Expeditions with Patrick McMillan”, a program featured on ETV. McMillan is also the director of South Carolina’s Botanical Garden and a professor at Clemson University.
Approximately 300 guests attended the fundraiser, and had opportunities to learn more about the railroad and artifacts found in the woods. Along with learning about these historical finds, there was also information provided about the board’s recent efforts to reinstate the population of the red-cockaded woodpecker.
Various specialists educated attendees with different displays of the treasures found in the Woods.
Howard Wayt, local historian and railroad enthusiast, enlightened guests of the well preserved railroad tracks discovered in Hitchcock Woods.
Carl Steen from the Diachronic Research Foundation, and Sean Taylor, SC Department of Natural Resources Heritage Trust Program Archaeologist, provided guests with information about artifacts and culturally significant sites found in the Woods.
From MPJ Wildlife Consulting, Mark Pavlosky, guests learned of the Foundation’s efforts to restore the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
Executive Director of the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, Christine Rolka, says the event helps engage friends and donors of the woods to learn more about America’s largest urban forest.
There was also a raffle for a two-night getaway to the Biltmore estate’s New Years Eve Gala. The prize was not collected at the event, so these gala tickets are still available for purchase (deadline of November 1st). Please contact the Hitchcock Woods Foundation for more information.
The event is held on the third weekend of September every year. So mark your calendars for the Festival of the Woods 2019!
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