Preparations are well underway for the 12th Annual History Hayride at Edgar Evins State Park on Saturday, Oct. 14. This year well known Smithville resident and former DeKalb County school teacher, Carol Denson Williams (Mrs. Donald Williams), will portray her well remembered and cherished grandmother, Minnie Walker Trapp. Carol wrote the script based on her memories and the entertaining, often humorous, stories told by her grandmother.
Carol’s grandmother, Minnie, was born in 1890. She married James Fantly Trapp in Clay County, Tennessee in 1908. By 1910 they were residing in Wildcat Hollow in DeKalb County, which is now part of Edgar Evins State Park. Fantly, as Carol’s grandfather was called, died young of a kidney problem, leaving Minnie to rear six children by herself. Carol says of her grandmother, “She was a very good person, a Christian, loving and a hard worker.” Minnie served as the treasurer of the Smithville Baptist Church after she moved to town. She walked everywhere, including church, as she never owned an automobile. Minnie died in 1970 and is buried in the Whorton Springs Cemetery at Smithville.
Carol’s portrayal of her grandmother will be one of 11 stops along the wagon circuit where other local historical characters will share their stories. Weather permitting, there will be a campfire in front of the park office with complimentary marshmallows to roast. This year there will also be wieners to purchase for roasting ($2), along with chips, and homemade cookies for sale. Complimentary hot beverages will be available in the office. 
The cost is $15 per person for the hayride. To make online reservations go to www.foeesp.com/history-hayride Master Card or Visa accepted. If you need help making reservations call the park office at  (931) 858-2114 or (800) 250-8619 to obtain contact information for Fount Bertram, President of Friends of Edgar Evins State Park.
Ten wagons will leave at approximately 30 minute intervals from the park office and return approximately 2 1/2 hours later. Each wagon will make about 9 stops where costumed characters will portray historic characters and tell about long ago events in and around the park.    The audience will remain on the wagons during the entire circuit. A tour guide will add narration between stops during the ride. Reservations will be for specific report times from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park will provide complimentary hot beverages and sell individual sized servings of home baked cookies and brownies in the park office. As in past years, there will also be complimentary marshmallows to roast over the campfire in front of the office. This year the Friends will also be selling hot dogs to roast over the fire. The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park is an all-volunteer non-profit organization with the purpose of helping the park. The History Hayride is a fundraiser by the Friends in cooperation with park staff. More information about the group and how to join may be found on the website at www.foeesp.com or the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/friendsofeesp
The Friends of Edgar Evins State Park is an all volunteer organization dedicated to helping the park. Profits from this fund raiser will go back to the park. For information about the group go to www.foeesp.com and visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofeesp/