24 Feb ‘Day of the Fox’ celebrates Francis Marion living history in Georgetown Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, famously known as the “Swamp Fox,” will be celebrated during “Day of the Fox”, a day of free events on Saturday, March 1, in Georgetown on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®. The Francis Marion Living History Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at two different locations in the historic city, within walking distance of each other: Francis Marion Park (named after, of course, the famous Georgetown County resident and American icon), and Joseph Rainey Park. “This event is now an annual occurrence, planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and to promote South Carolina’s pivotal role in the war,” said Ken Baeszler, chair of the Georgetown County 250 Committee. Francis Marion Artisans will display their wares at Francis Marion Park where educational booths will be established to promote accurate American Revolution history and where to go to learn more to become more involved. Local reenactors will portray Revolutionary characters, such as George and Martha Washington, Eliza Lucas Pinckney, some will play vintage musical instruments, weave pine straw and twill baskets, and hold periodic rifle shootings interspersed with Revolutionary War reenactments. Stop by the Georgetown County 250 Committee booth to learn how to ignite a Revolution and find out what exciting future events are planned. The Thomas Lynch Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution will be present, as will the Carolina Gold Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution where Revolutionary Characters will literally be brought to life to make learning history fun. The Gullah and Georgetown County Museums will share historical insights and information you may not have known. Reenactors from the 2nd South Carolina Regiment 1775-1780 will transport you to the colonial era and provide hands-on experience. The Hugh Giles regiment will also be represented. Tradesmen left flourishing businesses to protect their future and ensure ours. Native American Indians, from whom colonists learned much, may be sighted. Websters 13th Regiment of Foot, Royal Forces, will camp at Joseph Rainey Park where even Generals Francis Marion AND George Washington may dare to visit. Games and Quill Pen Writing, scavenger hunts and art contests will entice children and adults, as will other educational displays and artillery demonstrations. GC250 is working in concert with the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and to promote South Carolina’s pivotal role in the war. The Revolutionary War started on July 4, 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and ended on September 3, 1783, with the Treaty of Paris. Historians from Charleston and surrounding areas will play the roles of Continental soldiers in the 2nd South Carolina Regiment. (Photo provided by Michael Glazier) Baeszler said although the group has been involved in other events, this is the Georgetown County 250 Committee’s signature event. He credits event co-chairs Paige Sawyer and Corinne Hoch with organizing this special day. “Francis Marion was one of the great partisan leaders in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War,” Baeszler said. “Although he was born in what is present day Berkeley County, he grew up right here in Georgetown. We celebrate Francis Marion on (or near) the anniversary of his death, which was Feb. 27, 1795.” Baeszler said that as a port town, Georgetown played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the Revolution, and that role was played out over many years and in many different ways. “It wasn’t a one-time event on July 4, 1776,” he said. “Consequently, we plan to hold many events over the next few years that will celebrate, educate and inspire those in our community and visitors alike. Ours is an exciting and dramatic story that involves all of this area’s inhabitants.” He said in addition to planning events, the GC250 Committee is also working to identify important sites and people involved in the American Revolution to be highlighted as part of the anniversary celebration – and beyond. The sites in Georgetown County may be added to others in the state that are part of the Liberty Trail. British ‘Red Coats’ in the 33rd Regiment of Foot will be portrayed by local historians from Georgetown and Horry counties. (Photo provided by Michael Glazier) Brigadier Gen. Francis Marion was an American military officer, planter, and politician to who served during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. During the American Revolution, Marion supported the Patriot cause and enlisted in the Continental Army, fighting against British forces in the Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War from 1780 to 1781. Though he never commanded a field army or served as a commander in a major engagement, Marion’s use of irregular warfare against the British has led him to be considered one of the fathers of guerrilla and maneuver warfare, earning him the name of the “Swamp Fox” for his cunning ways to attack the British Army. Volunteers and vendors who would like to participate in “Day of the Fox” Francis Marion Living History Day can call Corinne Hoch at 201-452-0270 or Paige Sawyer at 843-546-3745. For more information about the event, visit the GC250 Facebook page. By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® 0 Hammock-All, Georgetown
