The 2020 Heritage Festival will begin Friday with movies at The Historic Ruffin Theater on the square.
“The Wizard of Oz” will begin at 6:30 p.m. and “Walk the Line,” a movie with scenes shot in Tipton County, will follow. Tickets are free and concessions will be offered.
The Ruffin is planning an encore of the double feature Saturday.
The theater is a historical landmark. Purchased by William F. Ruffin in 1927, the Ruffin began its life as the Palace Theater, a turn-of-the-century performance hall. Ruffin had the structure renovated into a movie house in 1934. After the Palace Theater was destroyed by fire in January 1936, he vowed to rebuild within the year, and on July 27, 1936, the newly-renamed Ruffin Theater opened its doors. The new theater was the most modern of its time.
It currently operates as a community theater with several plays and events each year. “The Rocky Horror Show” will be its next show and will open Oct. 16.
Children’s parade theme: The Wizard of Oz
As is Heritage Day tradition, Saturday’s festivities will begin with a children’s parade around the historic court square.
This year’s theme is “Wizard of Oz” and children are encouraged to dress up as the characters from the beloved film. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and participants are asked to meet in front of the post office, at the corner of South Main and Church streets, at 8:45 a.m.
The Covington High School band and local veterans will be leading the parade.
From there, the vendor fair begins and continues until 4 p.m.
This year’s event will feature dozens of vendors, a food truck lot and plenty of music.
Read more: Here are the COVID-19 precautions organizers are taking
At this year’s festival
In addition to the movies, children’s parade, food trucks and arts and crafts fair, there are some other fun things planned.
Each year, Nancy Deeugaw at The Stitching Store makes a quilt for the festival and a winner is drawn.
This year the quilt is a queen size and is currently displayed inside the Chamber of Commerce office at 106 West Liberty Avenue. Tickets for a chance to win the quilt are $5 each or three tickets for $10.
The winner will be announced after the festival on Sunday evening on the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
While you’re at the event, check out these special events:
On Saturday
▪ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Silent auction inside 201 S. Main Street; proceeds benefit the Tipton County Museum expansion
▪ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – A historic display, set up by the Tipton County Museum, will also be inside 201 S. Main Street.
▪ Want to participate in a flash mob? Meet at The Ruffin at 11 a.m. to practice the “Time Warp,” a dance popularized by the “Rocky Horror Show.” The flash mob will take place at 1 p.m. at the south end of the courthouse.
▪ The Simonton Wilcox Camp #257, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Maria Baker Lemmon Chapter of the Order of the Confederate Rose, Daughters of American Revolution and 39th Infantry Regiment of World War II historical groups will be present at the festival.
▪ Historical tours – Meet at the south end of the courthouse for a walking tour of the Historic Covington Square lead by Colonel Richard Henry Munford* . Tours on Saturday will take place at 10, noon and 2 p.m.
▪ The Tennessee River Artist Blacksmiths Association will be in the Depot District all day
On Sunday
▪ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – A historic display, set up by the Tipton County Museum, will also be inside 201 S. Main Street.
▪ Love classic cars? Want to show off your classic car? The Heritage Festival Show & Shine is for you! Bring your car to show or come see them all shine! The car show is located at the corner of Union Street and East Liberty— three blocks east of the square.
▪ Historical tours – Meet at the south end of the courthouse for a walking tour of the Historic Covington Square lead by Colonel Richard Henry Munford* . Tours on Saturday will take place at 2 and 3 p.m.
▪ The Tennessee River Artist Blacksmiths Association will be in the Depot District all day
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
