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| Old Time Horse Farmers Gathering - 9/1999 |
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| Location: The Agricultural Heritage Center
at Clemson's Edisto Research & Education Center
Where: Blackville, SC When: Sept. 24 - 25, 1999 SC Governor James H. Hodges, moments before his speech. Governor Hodges spoke at Friday's opening ceremonies of The Old Time Horse Farmers Gathering. Presented by The Agricultural Heritage Center, the festivities kicked off at 9am sharp with cow milking followed by cream separating and butter churning. |
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| These and other activities were happening while Ludlow Porch (pictured at right) was broadcasting live from the Discovery Center Stage. Ludlow and Dennie Ainsworth are heard on stations across the south on the Funseekers Network. |  |
| The official opening began at 11am when Governor James H. Hodges was joined by Joe Wilder, William H. Craven, Jr., Dr. Steve Meadows, Rev. Thomas Terry, Senator John Drummond, Rev. Tom Summers and others on stage. Also seen on stage is Miss Christina Walton who sang the National Anthem. |  |
| The opening ceremony was followed by a Horse Parade, sheep shearing, apple pressing, building a corn shack tent, cotton ginning, blacksmithing, cane milling and more. The entire area was alive with activity. After watching some very cool demonstrations we caught a horse drawn wagon to the field area. |  |
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This was kid day and lots of kids and teachers attended making for a very interesting day. Many kids explored the exhibits and demonstrations and some even plowed with a mule! We shared a fun ride to the field area with several Moms and kids from the (see pictures at right) Beaufort area! We all enjoyed watching the three mules pull us and the wagon to the field. |
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| When we reached the field the smell of food was everywhere, as the folks from Miller's Bread Basket had the grills filled with hamburgers and hotdogs. We found a big tent with food and vendors and a place to sit. By this time we all needed a rest. |  |
| You could purchase books, jewelry, tack, hats, t-shirts and more. After lunch, we took another walk to see the hay field, the plowing field, the soybean field, the sweet potatoes, corn, peas and cotton. Everyone was busy picking, plowing and digging. Everyone was invited to participate in all activities. |  |
| All the animals were so beautiful, especially watching them work. Have you ever noticed how big the feet and legs are on a plow mule? They are enormous! |  |
| Click Here for More Pictures |