Historic Washington, KY
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In 1775 at 17, Simon heard about Kain-tuck-ee canelands 6 to 15 feet high. In 1784 he built his station, the first defense against Indians in northern Kentucky. The great frontiersman settled Washington and Maysville, saved Daniel Boone's life during a Shawnee attach and protected the settlers over 200 years ago. Simon missed his niche in the Kentucky history books, probably due to the political power of his friend, Daniel Boone whose friend, Filson wrote about him. But it was Simon Kenton who opened up the dark and bloody ground, clipping off Shawnees with his long rifle as they tried to cross the Ohio River into their favorite hunting ground. He opened up the wilderness for hundreds of pioneers who settled in Kentucky between 1785 and 1800. |
32nd Annual Simon Kenton Harvest Festival
September 20 & 21, 2008
For information on 2007 Festival contact Cherri Gentry - or Duff Giffen
E-mail cgentry@maysvilleky.net or
duffgiffen@cityofmaysville.com
Phone 606-564-9419
Rediscover Old Washington, Kentucky, during our 31st annual Simon Kenton
Harvest Festival. This year's festival will be full of educational fun for
the whole family. Children can participate in pioneer games. Adults will enjoy demonstrations and
presentation about pioneer life. listen to Dulcimers and eat authentic
period foods prepared by local non-profit groups. Festivities begin on
Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The festival will
kick off with the march of the Simon Kenton Kin. who gather from several states
each year for their family reunion, from the Log Visitor's Center to Paxton
Inn. They will be led by members of the Mason County Junior
ROTC. Once there, an opening ceremony will take place consisting of a flag
raising, 21 gun salute and taps, as well as remarks by various speakers. Shops usually open at
10:00 a.m. during festivals.
There will be a "Corn Husking Bee", which requires participants to
shuck as may ears of corn as possible in a given time in order to
win.
Children will have the opportunity to carve pumpkins, teepee building, participate in games such as tug-of-war, build log cabins and make cornhusk dolls. For every activity they participate in, the children will earn "wampum," the form of currency used in frontier days, which they can exchange for frontier style toys in a shop set up at this event.
During the weekend experience first person presentations when Mel Hankla, will portray the festival's namesake, Simon Kenton. And on Sunday, Mike and Nancy Rumping will be portraying Squire and Jane Boone. Other presenters include: John Tierney's "Grandma Kept a Buckeye in Her Purse" and hear stories he shares from the frontier days. Hear Mr. Bob Anderson, of the Lewis and Clark "Corps of Discovery" speak on his three year trip following his grandfather's original steps over 200 years ago. Principal Chief Gary Hunt will speak about the Piqua Shawnee Indians.
Period demonstrations will be held at the historic sites and museums. Learn how to cane a chair, watch quilters and more. The Homemakers will be doing demonstrations on Crocheting, Knitting, Quilt Making and Flower Arranging. They will have a display with information about food preservation. The Farmers market will be set up across from the Visitors Center. Jennifer Gleason of Sunflower Sundries will be set up in Paxton Inn. Jennifer will be making Cornbread from corn our visitors will be grinding; she will also make jam and mustard. Local Artists will be set up in the Washington Meeting House. Authentic quality hand crafting artisans will be demonstrating their trades. Come watch William Stewart as he handcrafts his latest colonial long rifle, and learn how powder horns were carved. Bill Pritchard will be displaying his hand crafted long rifles. Glen and Merline Maynard will be selling and demonstrating hand crafted woodcarvings. Parker Custom Knives will be displaying custom hand made knives along with other vendors.
And with all the activity taking place on the streets of Old Washington, one cannot forget the shops, many museums and other features of the village. Visit Washington's antique and specialty shops, many of which are in historic buildings. Among the shops you will find antiques, furniture, estate jewelry, Antique Lustres, period cut glass, other glassware, Fiesta, Carousel horses, Hadley and Bybee pottery. There are lamp shop, brass shop and framing shops as well as jewelers working on site many days in their shop. The Marshall Keys Tavern will have a special pioneer menu as well as bag lunches available for take out. Visitors can sit on one of the hay bales around the 1700s village and enjoy the ambience of Old Washington. The Ice Cream Shop and Restaurant will have sit down dining in their Rosemary, Nick & George Clooney Room and will also be set up outside preparing made to order floats. Inside enjoy Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Cheese, Chili Cheese and French Fries, Nachos, Chicken Nuggets, Sandwiches, Salads, Sides, Drinks and Desserts. Come Rediscover Old Washington, Kentucky. This will truly be a family event.
Washington which was settled by Simon Kenton in 1786 and still has many of
the original log cabins that were here in 1790 when Washington was the second
largest town in Kentucky, second only to Lexington, is nestled, 4 miles south of the banks of the Ohio
River and Maysville, 50 miles northeast of Lexington, KY, 50 miles west of
Portsmouth, Ohio, and 51 miles east of Cincinnati, Oh, (take the Wilder Exit #77
off I-275 onto Route #9 - also known as the AA Highway), then turn right at the
light by Wendy's onto US 68, turn left at second light up into Old Washington.
Washington is 1 mile south of the AA Highway on US 68. Plan a weekend in
Washington, (now part of Maysville). You will be welcomed! Visit our
website: www.washingtonky.com -
Go to the Map link, there you can put in your address on Mapquest and print
driving directions.
One may reach Washington by crossing over the Simon Kenton Bridge into Kentucky
from Aberdeen, Ohio, or the new Harsha bridge just outside Aberdeen coming from
Ripley, or travel US 68, now known as the Simon Kenton Highway from Lexington to
Washington.
If you need directions you may call 606-759-7423 and we will guide you here.

SIMON KENTON HARVEST FESTIVAL – 31st Annual Event
2007 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Town Crier: Loretta Roe
Saturday
– September 15
Location:
9:30 Opening
Ceremony – Town Square
-
Corner of Paxton Inn
Kenton Kin, Flag Raising, 21 Gun Salute - Simon Kenton VFW
10:00 Executive
Board Meeting - Kenton Kin
(Private)
Old Church Museum
10:00 Crochet
Demonstration - Mason County
Homemakers
Harriett Beecher Stowe
10:30 Grinding Corn
& Food Demonstration by Sunflower
Sundries Paxton Inn Kitchen
Golden Needle Quilt Club - Quilts on Display-Quilting
Demonstrations Paxton Inn
11:00 Kenton Kin
Annual Meeting - Public
Welcome
Old Church Museum
11:00 Corn Husking Bee
Mefford Fort
12:00 Flower
Arranging - Mason County
Homemakers
Harriett Beecher Stowe
12:00 Jennifer
Gleason Making Blackberry Jam
Paxton Inn Kitchen
1:00 Mel
Hankla as Simon
Kenton
Old Church Museum
1:00 Morehead
Mountain Strings Dulcimer
Club Court House
Porch
2:00 Principal
Chief - Gary Hunt of the Piqua Sept. of the Shawnee
Indians Old
Church Museum
2:00 Knitting
Demonstration - Mason County
Homemakers
Harriett Beecher Stowe
3:00 Jennifer
Gleason Making Lavender
Soap
Paxton Inn Kitchen
3:00 Grandma
Kept a Buckeye in per Purse - John
Tierney Old Church Museum
All day:
Food preservation, pumpkin carving, tee pee building, gourd
painting, Pioneer Games
William
Stewart and Bill Pritchard Colonial long rifle display and powder horn
carving
Between
Moose/Haughaboo
Dulcimer - Randy Lester
Broderick's Lot
Ohio River Valley Art Guild art
display
Washington Meeting House
Farmers Market -
Lot across from our Log Visitor's Center
Sunday
– September 16
Location:
Vendor
Setups:
Bramels &
Fraley's
Mefford's Fort Lawn
Little Red
Hen
Front of Grace Church
Alta Hinton - Jams, Jellies - Old Tyme Canning Instructions (crocks &
sealing
wax)
Carousel Shop Lawn
Anita’s 150 Fragrances Soy Candles, Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash
Inside Phyllis’ Lamp Shop
Jackson's Fodder Shocks, Pumpkins, Gourds & other natural
decorations
Carousel Shop Lawn
Food:
Marshall Keys Tavern
Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop
Haven's Chapel - Plate Lunch & Dinner
Washington Methodist Church - Desserts - Saturday only
Knights of Columbus - Steak Sandwiches
John Fee Foundation - Fried Chicken, Fried Fish
Power Cheer Central of Flemingsburg - Carmel Apples, Kettle Corn, Cider
AM Vets - Bean Soup and Corn Bread
Previous Year's Simon Kenton Festival Press Release
By: Phyllis Helphenstine
Once upon a time there was a great pioneer hero named Simon Kenton who opened
the northern gateway into Kentucky for hundreds of settlers between 1785 and
1800. It is in his honor that the village known as the "Log Cabin Capital
of the Area", Washington, Kentucky, has for the past 31 years has held the "Simon Kenton
Harvest Festival". Kenton
Kin from far and near converge on Old Washington located on US 68, 4 miles south
of Maysville where they meet to exchange genealogy, dozens of Living Historians
set up camps to represent the 18th century for the public,
demonstrate frontier Kentucky life and skills of the pioneers
including tomahawk and knife throwing competitions, blacksmithing, firepit
ironware cooking, candle making, games and much more. There will be a 1786
Muzzleloader Rifle competition featuring the Kentucky Flintlock
Longrifle that won Kentucky. During the weekend will be various reenactments and
frontier street skits. On Saturday see Mel Hankla portray Simon Kenton for the presentation
of a lifetime! The descendents will have an 18th century Frontier Church
Service in the Log Cabin Church on new US 68 10:00 AM on
Sunday morning. Combine these special activities with the hourly entertainment,
festival food, antique and craft shops. In
the atmosphere of the beautiful pioneer village of Historic Washington you are
guaranteed a wonderful time! FREE admission.
One may reach Washington by crossing over the Simon Kenton Bridge into Kentucky
from Aberdeen, Ohio, or the new bridge between Aberdeen and Ripley, or travel US
68, now known as the Simon Kenton Highway from Lexington to Washington.
Quality craft, antique, and food vendors will be set up in Washington.
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This happy couple are previous winners of the Pet Contest. |
Sunday: Trolley will leave the Log Visitor's Center for the Church Service at 9:30 for the Frontier Church Service at 10:00. The Historic Washington Shopkeepers Association sponsors this event, with the support of the, city of Maysville.
The carousel shop, Fiesta ware, jewelry, antique lamp shop, Civil War items, dollhouse shop, framing shops and galleries, pottery: Mary Hadley, Bybee and
custom crocks, Cat’s Meow, graniteware, paper doll books, John Deere & Coca-Cola
collectibles, paperweights, a good selection of antique and craft shops all
flourish in the village – most are open year round. There are several special events
throughout the year with the next being the 40th annual Frontier
Christmas December 1st and 2nd.
Today three of Washington's log cabins house museums: C1787 Mefford's Station,
prior to C1790 Simon Kenton Store Shrine, and the prior to 1790 Log Visitor's
Center (606)-759-7411, where books like "The Frontiersman" and Simon
Kenton Scouts" are sold. Tour guides wearing long dresses, white
aprons and dust caps and men in period costume conduct tours of the nine museums
and throughout the village. The "Log Cabin Learning" tour taking
place in 3 of the original log cabins and depicting a day in the life of a
pioneer child is a very popular school field trip for schools in the tri-state
area. Washington is also included on the "Underground Railroad"
and "Covered Bridge" tours. Other museums on tour are: the
Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum, 1807, Paxton Inn C1800, the
Albert Sidney Johnston Home c1797, the Old Church Museum 1848, and the
Presbyterian Church 1870. Washington's newest museum, The Carriage House,
has a wonderful display of horse-drawn carriages with admission of only $1.00
and everything the owners receive they give to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Washington which was settled by Simon Kenton in 1786 and still has many of the original log cabins that were here in 1790 when Washington was the second largest town in Kentucky, second only to Lexington, is nestled, 4 miles south of the banks of the Ohio River and Maysville, 50 miles northeast of Lexington, KY, 50 miles west of Portsmouth, Ohio, and 51 miles east of Cincinnati, Oh, (take the Wilder Exit #77 off I-275 onto Route #9 - also known as the AA Highway), then turn right at the light by Wendy's onto US 68, turn left at second light up into Old Washington. Washington is 1 mile south of the AA Highway on US 68. Plan a weekend in Washington, (now part of Maysville). You will be welcomed!

SIMON KENTON HARVEST FESTIVAL – 30th Annual Event
2006 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday
– September 16
10:00 Opening
Ceremony – Town Square
Welcome – Mayor David Cartmell &
State Representative Mike Denham
Flag Raising & 21 Gun Salute honoring
MC: Radio Personality James “Doc” Shires
Simon Kenton by Am Vets
Star Spangled Banner – Brenda Manning
11:00
Kenton Kin Meeting – Washington Meeting House
11:00
Gun Powder Creek Band – Ben Pedigo & Family – Bluegrass Music
-Town Square
12:00
Arthur Whitman’s Upfront Band – Vocalist – Brittney Kay
12:30
Frontier Costume Contest – Town Square
1:00
Pet Dog & Cat Contest
1:00-2:00
Mel Hankla portraying Simon Kenton in Meeting House - Public Welcome
1:30
Irish Revue – St. Patrick’s Concert Choir
2:15
Sherri’s Arts & Dance Students – (Great Dance Revue/Many Acts)
2:30 –4:00 1786
Muzzleloader Rifle Competition at Federal Hill
3:00
“Fancy Free Cloggers” – Ages 8 to 80 – and
“Breakup” Cloggers (Just returned from performing at Disney World)
4:00
“KY Express” – Traditional Country
5:00
Indian Skirmish on Old Main Street
Sunday – September 17
9:30-9:45
Trolley Leaves Log Visitor’s Center for Log Church Service
10:00
Frontier Church Service – Log Church on new US 68
12:30
Grace Church Choir – Town Square
1:30
Libby Estill
2:00
“4 Heaven’s Sake” – Lexington
Group in Concert - Featuring Judy Gallenstein
3:00
Stars of Renfro Valley Barn Dance
4:00
Country Tap/Cloggers
Both Days:
10:00-5:00
Antique, Craft & Specialty Shops in Historic Buildings line Old Main
Street
10:00-5:00 Antique,
Craft & Food Vendors on Street
10:00-5:00 Frontier
Encampment & Demonstrations & Various Frontier Skits & Indian
Skirmishes on street
11:00-5:00 Articles
from Duncan Tavern in Paris for Sale in Paxton Inn
John Parker Tobacco Press – Harriet Beecher Stowe Museum
Guided Tours by Costumed Guides from Log Visitors Center, Video,
Souvenirs & Books
Museums: Simon Kenton Store, Albert
Sidney Johnston & Mefford's Fort Open with Guide inside
For more information: Mary Jo Chandler 606-724-5700 – E-mail: mjchandler_2000@yahoo.com
The Historic Washington Shopkeepers Association sponsors this event. The City of Maysville and the Washington Shopkeepers are not responsible for accidents or injury.

Simon Kenton Kin
On the third weekend in September from near and far, the Kenton Kin converge on
Old Washington to honor their ancestor, the Frontiersman, Simon Kenton.
The Kenton family meets at 11am on Saturday to exchange genealogy and visit with
family. Along with the Kenton family group, dozens of Living Historians will set
up camps to represent the 18th century for the public. They will demonstrate
frontier Kentucky life and skills of the pioneers including tomahawk and
knife throwing competitions, blacksmithing, firepit ironware cooking, candle
making, games and much more. Articles for sale include colonial clothing,
antler knives and powder horns, children's games, jewelry and rock
candy. There will be a 1790's black powder competition featuring
the Kentucky Flintlock Longrifle that won Kentucky. During the weekend will
be various reenactments and frontier street skits. See Mel Hankla portray Simon
Kenton for the presentation of a lifetime! Our 18th century Log Cabin Church
Service begins at 10 AM on Sunday morning. Combine these special activities with
the hourly entertainment, festival food and colonial tavern, Sunday parade,
antique and craft shops. In the atmosphere of the beautiful pioneer village of
Historic Washington you are guaranteed a wonderful time!
Come join us on September 16th and 17st from 10
a.m. both days at the 30th annual Simon Kenton Frontier
Festival. Free Admission to this Family Friendly Event. Contact
person is Jon Hagee, (pictured on left) at jhagee@mail.com
or
(859) 271-2918.
Web Sites:
Simon Kenton Frontier Festival http://frontierfolk.org/festival.htm
Kenton Kin: http://frontierfolk.org/k-kin.htm
c
Simon Kenton Parade in Washington, Kentucky

Simon Kenton Festival Pet
& COSTUME CONTESTS IN WASHINGTON, KY No Entry Fee. All
Classes.
1st Prize $10, 2nd Prize $5, 3rd Prize Ribbon.
There is a contest for "The Cutest Cat".
Dogs have more categories with winners for:
1. Smallest Dog
2. Largest Dog
3. Best Dog Trick
4. Cutest Dog
5. Any Animal in Cutest Costume
6. Exotic Pet (no snakes!)
COSTUME CONTESTS:
1. CHILD UNDER 12 IN FRONTIER COSTUME
2. WOMAN IN FRONTIER COSTUME
3. MAN IN FRONTIER COSTUME
4. COUPLE IN FRONTIER COSTUME
5. INDIAN COSTUME