Francis Marion living history event in Georgetown celebrates American Revolution

Francis Marion living history event in Georgetown celebrates American Revolution

Join the fun and celebrate an American hero while experiencing what life was like during the early days of our republic.

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 7, 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 250^th 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.

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, and some will play vintage musical instruments.

The 2^nd South Carolina Regiment will present live firing demonstrations while Webster’s 13^th Regiment of Foot, Royal Forces will be in hot pursuit of the evasive Swamp Fox.  

One may also expect to meet George and Martha Washington along with Rachel Moore Allston. There will be basket weaving and activities for children along with American Revolution displays by members of the Choctaw Nation, the Colonial Dames and Daughters of the American Revolution, the Gullah Museum, Sons of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Huntsinger, Gunsmith Robert Hill and the History Man.

Stop by the Georgetown County 250 Committee booth and find out what exciting future events are planned. The Francis Marion Interpretive Center will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Georgetown County Museum at 120 Broad Street where a rare and signed letter by Francis Marion is on display along with other historical information about the Swamp Fox.

Francis Marion Living History Day events are free and sponsored by the Georgetown County 250 Committee 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.

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 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.

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 website or the GC250 Facebook page.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®