BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County residents come together each year to celebrate roots, culture and community at Martin County Heritage Day. The event pays homage to the old ways of life, honoring the grit and traditions of ancestors who called these Appalachian hills home.

Set for Oct. 19, Heritage Day will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the junction of King Fisher Trail and God’s Promise Trail in Inez.

Getting there is part of the adventure. Visitors can hike the trail from the Collier Center parking lot or hitch a ride with the Martin Rescue Squad. Shuttling of guests from the parking lot starts at 10 a.m.

Step back in time as you tour a 1937 hand-hewn log cabin relocated from Davis Branch. The cabin is decked out with antique furnishings and vintage relics from another era.

Also on-site is a one-room schoolhouse that was moved from Trace Fork. Retired Martin County teacher Pat Marcum will bring the past to life with stories of a typical school day in a classroom that once held students of all ages.

Visitors will get hands-on with history, churning butter and hearing tales of pioneer life from “Maw and Paw.” The two seasoned storytellers will walk attendees through the daily routines and challenges of early settlers.

Meanwhile, outdoors, a team of mountain cooks will prepare a meal straight out of the past—soup beans simmering over an open fire, cornbread baking in a Dutch oven buried in hot coals, and potatoes frying to perfection.

The food is free. And alongside the main meal, there will be other side dishes and old-fashioned apple desserts to sweeten the day.

The McGinnis Family will provide a front porch pickin’ session.

A local farmer will be on hand to offer insights into the tools and techniques of Appalachian life. A collection of antique tools will be on display.