While not the same as the Gold Rush of 1849, residents had the chance to discover the treasure available in the City of Elizabethton.
Sponsored by Elizabethton Parks & Recreation, hundreds made their way down the Tweetsie Trail Saturday for the third annual Tweetsie Trail Treasure Trip, which concluded at Covered Bridge Park.
From discovering information about the city, receiving treats to experiencing the Tweetsie Trail, Parks & Rec Director Mike Mains said the weekend was a success and offered thanks to all agencies that made the event a reality.
“Kelly (Kitchens) and David Nanney, along with our entire maintenance department, did a great job preparing for the event,” Mains said.
Immanuel Baptist Church, Ingles, Aging in Place, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism were all instrumental in the event, Mains said, adding that Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition also made an impact with their help and volunteers.
Saturday’s event was actually the result of Mother Nature putting the brakes on the celebration last months.
Participants were able to visit five different “Golden Depot” location during the day and learn about education, history, downtown and other facets about what makes Elizabethton interesting, Mains said. The purpose of the event is to also spotlight the Tweetsie Trail, a tourist attraction that runs through Johnson City and Elizabethton, the director added.
Saturday also proved to be a fun day for Mrs. Edith Scalf. Just days before her 72nd birthday, Scalf came away as the grand prize winner of the event. Over $2,000 worth of prizes were distributed through the day, along with prizes provided by different vendors set up throughout the trail. After walking the Tweetsie Trail, participants were able to grab refreshments, hear live music and utilize other activities available at Covered Bridge Park.
Parks & Rec continues to stay busy throughout the year with a laundry list of activities on the horizon for November and December. Prior to the Treasure Trip, the department was able to wrap up its annual Covered Bridge Jams concert series and boasted a record-setting crowd of the summer for the second annual Show on the Doe. Mains indicated the department is looking at making the move series more regularly in 2018 due to popularity from the public.
Up next, the department will assist in the annual Downtown Elizabethton Halloween Celebration, scheduled to last from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Children have the chance to trick-or-trick during the event, but the department, along with the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, will also host different activities for children and families.
Parks & Rec will lead the annual costume contest, open to all attendees. Kelly Kitchens, with Parks & Rec, stated that interested participants would need to meet near the veterans memorial downtown from 4:15 to 4:30 p.m. Inflatables and other goodies will be on site.
Visit Elizabethton Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page online to stay up to date with activities that will be coming up for the public.