Companies and other organizations host exhibitions year-round to bring awareness to products and services to the community. Not many organizations, however, offer experiences in and of themselves.

As other stores and organizations host open houses to showcase what they have to offer, Sycamore Shoals State Park decided they wanted to hold one, as well.

Employee Leslie Brockley said the park has not hosted a true open house in several years.

“We were sitting around, and we realized we had not done an open house in a while,” Brockley said. “So we said ‘Let’s do it.’”

The program, called the Overmountain Christmas Open House, will feature a variety of activities, including a meeting with Santa, Christmas carolers and several vendors.

Brockley said the open house is a chance to experience the history the Sycamore Shoals area has to offer.

“Everyone there will be dressed in period clothing,” she said.

She said the clothing, which will be stylized like Revolutionary War-period clothing, is an homage to the first settlers to the East Tennessee region.

“A lot of people participate in reenactments all the time, so they bring their own attire, but we have our own costuming department as well,” she said.

Brockley said history is paramount to the Sycamore Shoals experience.

“This was where the Founding Fathers first crossed the Line of Demarcation, where King George said not to cross,” Brockley said. “This is what we are all about. We have such a rich history here.”

Unlike other open house events, the park only decided to hold theirs about a month ago, after hosting similar events like the Christmas Wreath exhibition this year and Christmas Trees in previous years.

“Getting 10 to 15 vendors and carolers in proper attire is not easy,” Brockley said.

Despite this, Brockley said she is hoping visitors can get a feel for the park’s significance in East Tennessee history and culture.

“We hope people come by and enjoy it,” she said.

The open house will take place on Saturday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The park has been in operation for decades. Visitors can stop by at 1651 W Elk Ave, or call at 423-543-5808.