Tonight’s Half Moon Mountain Magic fundraiser in Monteagle, Tenn., will give environmental advocates the chance to “Be a Wizard for Fiery Gizzard.”
Sponsored by the Friends of South Cumberland State Recreation Area, this new event will help the Land Trust for Tennessee raise the last $620,000 of $8.1 million needed to preserve 6,000 acres in and around the Fiery Gizzard, according to a news release. Some 3,000 acres already are protected.
The total acreage also means “protection of the headwaters of a larger watershed,” according to Mary Priestley, president of the Friends group. The Fiery Gizzard Creek watershed is a major tributary of Battle Creek, which runs into the Tennessee River near South Pittsburg, Tenn.
The head wizard for Fiery Gizzard, Dr. Harry Yeatman, will be on hand to welcome attendees. Yeatman, 95, is emeritus professor of biology at the University of the South at Sewanee. He has introduced hundreds of people to the Gizzard, Priestley said.
The family event will feature live music and festival foods. Scheduled to perform are Bazzania, Broad Mountain Brewgrass (formerly Peckerwood), The Fiery Gizzard String Band and Sarah Mallory.
The array of food will include Fiery Gizzard blizzards and chili from Mountain Breeze, pizza and drinks from Lupi’s Pizza of Chattanooga and selected desserts and coffee from Dutch Maid Bakery. All of the food vendors will donate a percentage of profits to the cause.
Other highlights will include door prizes and a new Fiery Gizzard T-shirt designed by Jim Ann Howard.
“This is a chance to show your support for the beautiful land that composes the South Cumberland State Recreation Area and to help us protect more great spaces,” said Priestley.
IF YOU GO
* What: Half Moon Mountain Magic fundraiser.
* When: 5-9 p.m. CDT today (children’s events 5-6 p.m.).
* Where: DuBose Conference Center pavilion, 635 College St., Monteagle, Tenn.
* Admission: Free.
* E-mail: margaretmatens@yahoo.com.
* Website: www.fierygizzard.org.
JUST FOR KIDS
* Children’s tent: Open from 5 to 6 p.m. CDT, the tent will include fortunetellers, face painting and critters of Fiery Gizzard, such as snakes, turtles and possums, with wildlife rehabilitator Margaret Matens.
* Costume parade: Dress as a character from Harry Potter or come as an environmentally friendly wizard of any kind. A costume parade will take place on the main stage at 6. Prizes will be awarded.
SEE IT
The Fiery Gizzard Trail is a 17-mile route through South Cumberland State Recreation Area that has been ranked by Backpacker magazine as one of the Top 25 trails in the United States. The trail’s north entrance is from the Grundy Forest State Natural Area, about 3 miles from the South Cumberland Visitor Center. The south entrance is 11.5 miles from the Visitor Center and is accessed via U.S. Highway 41 or state Route 150.
Source: www.friendsofscsra.org