By Kimberly McMillian
Correspondent
DAYTON, Tenn. – Rhea County’s Scopes Festival features two performances of the play “One Hot Summer” today.
The play details the backstory about the events prior to the famous 1925 Scopes Trial. At the time, as a way to bring national attention to Dayton, local leaders met at F.E. Robinson’s drugstore and recruited teacher John Scopes to test the Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in state schools.
“I think the Scopes Festival gives us an opportunity to show Dayton and the country’s historical past and bring visitors to the area,” said Randy Wells with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the Scopes Festival.