A walk in the park Gathering transforms area into bustling village BY BELINDA M. PASCHAL Staff Writer bpaschal@civitasmedia.com Imagine if you could step back in time just by taking a walk in the park. Actually, you can — if it’s the first weekend of October and you’re walking in Covington Community Park. That’s when and where the popular Fort Rowdy Gathering takes place. The Gathering transforms the park into a bustling trading village in the late 1700s/early 1800s, where visitors can enjoy homemade foods, arts and crafts, contests and games, live music and more. This year, the 21st annual festival will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. The weekend starts at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5, with a parade through downtown Covington, followed by the 10:30 a.m. opening ceremonies on the main stage. Visitors will cross a 208foot portable bridge over the Stillwater River to get to the pre-1840’s encampment, one of the Gathering’s main attractions. Encampment activities include a spear throw, bow shoot, cooking contest, flint and steel demonstrations, and games and contests for children. In addition to a church service at 11 a.m. on Oct. 6, the main stage will be jumping all weekend with concerts by Berachah Valley, Night Flyer, Higgins Madewell, The American Kings, The
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It’s a tough time for us, but it seems to work out every year. — Anita Hawk
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Ramblin’ Rovers Alison Babylon, Dulahan and Muleskinner. Since the event is free, attendance figures for the entire weekend can’t be estimated, but publicity chairwoman Anita Hawk said last year’s concert by Big Daddy Weave drew at least 3,000 people. Another big draw is the food booths selling a smorgasbord of treats from apple dumplings, funnel cakes and sugar waffles to whole hog sausage sandwiches, cabbage rolls and barbecued chicken. The food booths are a major fundraiser for the churches and civic groups that run them. Artisans and craftspeople will have a variety of wares to offer including ceramics, country crafts, flower arrangements, decorative afghans and throws, painted woodworks, painted pumpkins and gourds and more. The Gathering is funded solely by donations, Hawk said. “It’s a tough time for us, but it seems to work out every year,” she said.
STAFF FILE PHOTOS/MIKE ULLERY
Jeff Montgomery of Fletcher uses a blow pipe to keep a wood fire going at the Ft. Rowdy Gathering in Covington.
Keegan Leveck, 11, Calbe Skripit, 12, Libby Wenrick, 7, and Bailee Shaw, 7, bundle up for an afternoon at the Ft. Rowdy Gathering in Covington.
Troy Daily News and Piqua Daily Call • June 2013 Community Guide • 13