“Moonshine Memories” — a free, family-friendly music and courtroom drama program — will be presented starting at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 23 at Canaan Valley State Park, and at the same time on Sunday, July 30 at the old Courthouse in Parsons. The true story tells how a grizzled Tucker County “moonshiner” fought eviction from his home – and won!
Tucker County Commissioner Mike Rosenau and County Sheriff Jake Kopec will be part of the live community cast. Award-winning Elkins fiddler Gerry Milnes and guitarist Mike Miller will present moonshine-themed songs. Also in the community cast ”bringing history to life” are Tom Yocum, Casey Rucker, Susan Callahan, Carl Harr, Rafe Pomerance, Susan Moore, and Barb Alford. The program Director is Silas Bright.
For more information and to RSVP, go to https://saveblackwater.org/moonshine-memories or call 304-345-7663.
“Moonshine Memories” tells the story of Albert “Ab” Crossland, a Canaan Valley resident who fought back in court in 1969-70, when the State tried to evict Ab (and his pet skunks) from his cabin home on Canaan Valley State Park grounds. The late Justice Larry Starcher of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals was Crossland’s Legal Aid lawyer.
“We had a great crowd at our history discussion about the Crossland case at Canaan Valley State Park on May 20,” said Tom Rodd of the local group Friends of Blackwater, which is organizing the program. “The July 23 and 30 programs will be lively, fun, and interesting.” A reception will follow both programs.
Friends of Blackwater is partnering with the Tucker County Historical Society; ArtSpring; the Tucker County Highlands History and Education Project; Cottrill’s Opera House; and the Aurora Project; with financial support from the Tucker Community Foundation and the West Virginia Humanities Council.