The taps and tunes resounding from Sycamore Shoals State Park every Saturday is the Official Fife and Drums Corps for the State of Tennessee. While many preserve history through research and writing, the members of the Watauga Fifes and Drums relive it by playing period music in traditional garb.

The group originally began as the Betsy Town Fifes and Drums for the United States Bicentennial Celebration, according to member Juliana Oberfeitinger.

“In 2008, Chad Bogart and John Large renamed it the Watauga Valley Fifes and Drums,” she said.

Members include children and seniors in their mid-sixties.

“Although welcome, no prior musical experience is necessary to participate in this unique group,” said Oberfeitinger. “Folks need just a willingness to learn and a hankering to participate in historical events in an educational and entertaining way.”

Members practice on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to Noon and are showcased at a variety of historical and cultural events.

The group will perform at the upcoming Celebration of the National Park Service’s Centennial at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Middlesboro, Ky., on April 10 and 11.

“This exciting event is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors to the park over the three-day period from April 9 to 11,” said Oberfeitinger.

On April 11, the U.S. Mint will be present to officially launch the America the Beautiful Quarters Program coin that honors Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. 

Oberfeitinger said more than 2,200 school children from Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee will participate on the day of the quarter launch. 

“With such excitement and history just a few hours’ drive from the Tri-Cities, people might want to consider driving over to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park for the day or the weekend,” Oberfeitinger said.

Other places where the Watauga Valley Fifes and Drums will soon perform include an event at Davy Crockett State Park in Limestone on April 14, an event in Pigeon Forge on April 23, and an event at the Blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield, Va., on April 30.

“We hope the public will come out and join us in celebrating the unique history of our area,” said Oberfeitinger.