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Horn in the West: America’s Longest-Running Revolutionary War Drama Returns June 25

Horn in the West, the longest-running Revolutionary War outdoor drama in America, celebrates its 65th consecutive season this summer in Boone. Horn in the West runs from Saturday, June 25 through Saturday, Aug. 6 nightly except Mondays at the historic Daniel Boone Amphitheatre in downtown Boone. More than a million people have seen the reenactment since it began, and it has become a perennial summer must-see in Watauga County for residents and visitors alike.

Horn in the West. Photo by Greg WIlliams.
Horn in the West. Photo by Greg WIlliams.

Written by playwright Kermit Hunter in 1951, Horn in the West tells the story of American frontiersman Daniel Boone and the settlers who came to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of freedom and escape from British tyranny. The show outlines the struggles of the early North Carolina colonists as they worked to establish their community during the turbulent years before and during the War for Independence.

A production of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association (S.A.H.A.), the show is the third oldest outdoor drama in the nation. Directed by Teresa Lee, the performance features a cast of 45, including veteran actors as well as young professional performers from across the country. This year’s show will feature live bagpipes.

Performance Details:

When: Tuesday through Sunday, June 25 to Aug. 6 from 8-10 p.m.

Where: Daniel Boone Amphitheatre, 591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone.

Tickets: For more information/tickets, visit http://www.horninthewest.com or call (828) 264-2120. Children 12 and under can attend free on Sundays with a paid adult ticket.

Horn in the West brings history to life for visitors and community members every year. Although many people know of Daniel Boone, few know the full story of the settlers’ struggle to preserve freedom that Horn in the West illustrates,” said Wright Tilley, executive director of Watauga County TDA. “We are proud to be able to showcase the rich history of this area in such a family-friendly and entertaining show.”

“We have a number of new members on the production team, including a new music director and stage combat choreographer, so we are looking forward to their creative input into the show,” said Horn in the West Director Teresa Lee. “It is exciting to be able to be a part of such a lasting theatrical legacy of our region.”

The Daniel Boone Amphitheatre has been called one of the most beautiful outdoor theatres in the country. Built in 1952 by John Lippard and students from NC State University’s School of Design, the amphitheater holds 2,500 seats and thematically blends into the natural mountain landscape of the area.

Horn in the West guests are welcomed to arrive early to walk through the adjacent Daniel Boone Native Gardens, a 3-acre collection of North American native plants and landscape, including a small cabin that once belonged to the Boone family. Guests can also experience a glimpse of life in a small mountain town during the 18th century by visiting Hickory Ridge Museum. The museum gives visitors insight into daily life at the time, including activities such as blacksmithing, hearthside cooking, weaving, and more.