The Town of Monteagle will host its 4th Annual Mountain Homecoming and Historical Celebration at the Monteagle Pavilion and Hannah Pickett Park (behind Town Hall, 16 Dixie Lee Hwy) on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10:00a.m.–8:30 p.m. CDT. Fall mountain fun for the entire family
Rain or Shine. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m. CDT with the presentation of a 300lb plaster replica of the Monteagle/Tennessee Tech Eagle that currently sits on Derryberry Hall in Cookeville. Legend has it that during the 52-53 school year, several Tech students braved a driving night rainstorm to pilfer a huge eagle statue from the charred ruins of a resort hotel in Monteagle. It is said, they painted the creature - with a wingspan of over six feet - a glistening gold, and brought it out to rally the crowd for the big football game against rival MTSU. Then-Governor Frank G. Clement, a lifelong friend of the hotel owner John W. Harton, worked out a “compromise” between his friend and the school students, who wanted to retain the eagle as their mascot. Mr. Harton officially donated the eagle to Tech on June 5, 1958, in exchange for $500 from TTU president Everett Derryberry. The unofficial story still lives on in the hearts and minds of all involved. A permanent installation will be given to Monteagle at a later date. This Eagle presentation is a segment of Tennessee Tech's Centennial Celebration, remembering the unique role that the Monteagle Hotel played in the university's history.
After the opening ceremonies, Civil War Living History and musket demonstrations will be held every hour on the hour until 5pm. Kids’ games and activities, storytellers, history buffs, local food and local creatives will be set-up around the Monteagle Pavilion throughout the day. From Noon to 4pm CDT, Civil War weapon collector Bill Beard will set up a display of weapons used during the Civil War by Confederate forces. Mr. Beard will also be available to appraise Civil War artifacts brought to the event during this time.
Also at the Monteagle Pavilion from 5pm-8pm, local entertainer Dennis Womack and his Flash Back Band will perform a variety of classic rock and blues music that you will be sure to enjoy as you dance down memory lane with many of the music greats from our past.
Finally, our Homecoming celebration would not be complete without a rousing display of fireworks on a crisp October evening. Starting after the last note has been played by our band, the Town of Monteagle will present a beautiful array of stars and spangles that will light up our mountain sky with a brilliance to make young and old smile and clap with delight. For more information, find us on Facebook. Monteagle Mountain Homecoming & Historical Celebration.