Heritage Day in the Park draws droves to Purcellville’s celebration of its past and present

Purcellville’s May 14 Heritage Day in the Park had something for just about everyone:  history, archaeology, arts and crafts, carnival games, wine garden, food court, donkey rides, Civil War reenactors campsite, live music from local high school ensembles, model train display, petting zoo and book signings.

The fun started at noon in the Skating Rink at Fireman’s Field, with the posting of the colors by the American Legion Post 293 Color Guard, assisted by the Loudoun Border Guards Fife and Drum Corps.

The grand finale, at 7 p.m., was the premier of the “The Last Hardware Store,” a documentary film about the near-legendary Nichols hardware Store on North 21st Street.

“We do this to try to celebrate the history and heritage of Purcellville,” said Paul McCray, chair of the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and co-chair with Purcellville Preservation Association President Meredith Thomas and Cathy Darby, of Heritage Day in the Park

“This is a day for the community to come out and enjoy things, see the neighbors, taste local wines. There are non-profit groups here and 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment.”

The weather cooperated and activities on the grounds of the Fireman’s Field and inside the Roller Rink, formerly the Bush tabernacle, drew crowds.

Inside, the Book Nook featured local authors ready to sign copies of their latest tomes: Marc Leepson, “Saving Monticello”; Jessica James, “Shades of Gray,” “Noble Cause”; Jack Barrett, “Loudoun Baseball History”; William Ray, “Mount Gilead History”; and Meredith Bean McMath, “Pella’s Angel.”

Not far away, the Daughters of the American Revolution Ketoctin Chapter set up shop, flanked by the Fiends of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, Blue Ridge Spinners and Weavers, Purcellville Lions Club History and Dominion Virginia Power’s ”Discovering Energy Education.” Not far away was the model train and diorama of the NV N Track, model railroad buffs. McCray was on hand to talk about one of his favorite subjects, the history of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, better known today as the W&OD Trail, which ends in Purcellville.

Also in the Skating Rink, collectors Gary Heath and Ken Fleming put on display part of their collection of Civil War arms, uniforms and artillery.

Not far from them sat Reginald Simms with his collection of photos and artifacts of the African American history in Purcellville. “I have 200 names of guys from Loudoun County who served in the military,” Simms said. “I would like to keep this history alive. And I remember a time when I couldn’t even come in the skating rink, couldn’t eat at the White Palace. I would like folks not to forget.”

Simms said he hopes his collection will be included in the planned multi-cultural exhibits at the restored Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln.

Outside, historian Rich Gillespie and Clay Seward narrated trolley tours of the town to highlight sites with connections to the Civil War.

At the Loudoun Archeology booth, David Clark shared some of his finds from the area.

Children and adults found lots to do in the outdoor part of what McCray calls “a very big family picnic: For the young ones, face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, henna art and sand art; donkey rides (on very large donkeys known as Mammoth Jacks); blessing of the animals; sheep shearing; and petting zoo (the goat left the enclosure as soon as he arrived and visited the Roller Rink).

Title Sponsors of the annual event were Harris Teeter (now under construction at the Purcellville Gateway development), Roadside Development and the Town of Purcellville. Also kicking in to make the day complete were OHM Event Production Specialists, Patrick Henry College, Purcellville Gazette, Dominion Virginia Power, Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company, Interact Club, Purcellville Copy, It’s Bazaar on 21st St., Zicht Engineering, Southern States, Mr. Print, Home School Legal Defense Association, Mosby Heritage Association, Hill High Country Store, Sign Design, Browning Equipment, Petals and Hedges, Virginia Rides and Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services.