Note: the family noted below refers to the Allison family originally of Maryland that came into Burke County in an incremental move beginning in about 1778, to the area of Burke that was eventually restructured into McDowell County. Within a few decades, the family populated most of the western North Carolina counties, plus the Qualla Boundary. ============================ 2004 National Allison Family Reunion An event of the 600+ member National Allison (Allanson) Family Association Weekend of October 16 Brevard, North Carolina, during the peak of fall color A celebration of American pioneer heritage marking a wandering old British family's 346th year as an American pioneer family SPECIAL HONORED GUESTS: An official representative of our ancestral homeland: Her Britannic Majesty's Consul General, Michael Bates, OBE, and Janice Bates Cherokee Chief Leon Jones, former Principal Chief, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, and Janice Allison Jones. Plus other special guests to be announced closer to date. AUCTION and RAFFLE: Over $8,500 worth of beautiful items have already been donated for the reunion auction and raffle, including a magnificent handmade and signed $5,000 rosewood violin, crafted by master violin maker Ed Allison. Also quilts, autographed movie memorabilia from the movie COLD MOUNTAIN by actor Ben Allison who played in the film, a huge selection of original regional art in the form of paintings, drawings, and ceramics, original custom clothing, woodcrafts, original historical documents, rare books, and far more than we can mention here. ENTERTAINMENT: 100's of cousins from up to 40 states and Great Britain will enjoy an incredible heritage entertainment lineup with over 85 entertainers taking the stage all across the event packed weekend, including: BEN ALLISON'S Oscar winning film TWO SOLDIERS! Special film event featuring a private theatre screening of the Academy Award winning movie TWO SOLDIERS (2004 Oscar winner for Best Short Film, Live Action) starring family member Ben Allison, the host for the event (played the part of "Rourke" in the blockbuster movie COLD MOUNTAIN), and a member of the auxiliary board of the National Allison (Allanson) Family Association. Ben will be welcoming the crowd at the door and, immediately following the screening, will discuss this poignant film about unfaltering commitment to family based on William Faulkner's short story. A fabulous opportunity to see an Academy Award winning movie starring a native North Carolina cousin! SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN FIRE CLOGGERS Western North Carolina's hottest clogging team! Southern Mountain Fire Cloggers with a fast-paced show that always brings the house down. Third reunion show for this fabulous group of precision dancers. EDDIE BUSHYHEAD -- CHEROKEE INDIAN FLUTIST Renowned Cherokee Indian flutist, Eddie Bushyhead, master of the Cherokee river cane flute, will perform during the reunion memorial service STEEP CANYON RANGERS!!! North Carolina's rising young blue grass band, recently signed with Rebel Records, and now performing on stage across the nation with the legendary greats of blue grass, including Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson, et al! In concert at Brevard College as the closing act for the 2004 reunion. BENNY ALLISON'S BLUE CREEK BLUEGRASS BAND Benny Allison's 8 member band from the Blue Ridge Mountains of nearby White County, Georgia will feature a champion dulcimer player presenting wonderful old mountain music in the purest mountain traditions. ROY CHAPMAN and TRUE BLUE GRASS BAND Western North Carolina's own legendary mountain fiddler, Fiddlin' Roy Chapman and his five member True Blue Grass Band returning for their second reunion show during main reunion events at Brevard College. MONICA DEAVER-NOLAND Talented mountain vocalist Monica Deaver-Noland, descendant of the Jackson County Allisons, performing "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Great High Mountain" from the soundtrack of the film COLD MOUNTAIN, the real life mountain that looms just over the reunion site. SACRED HARP SINGERS...an OLD-TIME SINGIN'! Sacred Harp and Christian Harmony Singers of the Blue Ridge Mountains, both performing and teaching the huge audience to participate in this ancient musical singing style during the evening event RON BRADLEY BAND The Ron Bradley Band performing old-time American bluegrass before showtime at the screening of the Academy Award winning film TWO SOLDIERS at Falls Cinema CLOGGING LESSONS!!! Clogging lessons by the Southern Appalachian Preservation Dance Society HISTORY: Extensive historical displays from all lines and branches of the family spread across America today, presenting in the huge exhibition area of the reunion WELCOME PARTY: Events kick off on Friday, October 15 with a welcome party with dessert and coffee, followed by the movie screening hosted by star Ben Allison. MAIN EVENT: Saturday, October 16 (daytime) with live music, dancing, historical exhibits, historical program, awards and honors, luncheon, memorial service, raffle, auction, door prizes, and much more. FOR 2004...SPECIAL EVENING EVENT: "AN OLD-TIME AUTUMN GATHERIN'" October 16. A down-home evening of food, fun, barn-burnin' fiddlin' and pickin', singing, and dancing, plus 100's of cousins at candlelit tables gathered around a beautiful barn-dance themed autumn stage. MEALS: The reunion presents two lavish catered meals, a luncheon and a dinner on Saturday, October 16. LODGING: In addition to the huge number of family that live nearby within driveway distance, 158 area hotel rooms are contracted for the out of state reunion guests and are now being held with extremely good discounts. NOTE: The National Allison Family Reunion is a private event of the members of the National Allison (Allanson) Family Association, defined by by-law as the descendants of Thomas Allanson/Allison (1639-1684), Lord of Christian Temple Manor, a Gentleman of London, England and Charles County, Maryland. The members of the association invite all members of our particular Allison family to attend as guests of the association. Attendance is strictly by advance reservation only, with full payment for all catered meals also in advance. Sorry, no "walk-ups" without reservations will be admitted. For more information, please contact me direct. Yours, Michael Allison, President National Allison (Allanson) Family Association [email protected]

Along with my post about the National Allison Family Reunion, I failed to include information about our organization -- the National Allison (Allanson) Family Association. The organization was founded in October, 1996 at the first annual National Allison Family Reunion by 85 charter members. Since that date, we've continuously grown by leaps and bounds, attracting both genealogists and non-genealogists in the family, thanks to our approach that makes family history relevant to all ages and interests and teaches the value of knowing and understanding the "tie that binds" us all into a family of today. The two main on-going projects of the association are the production of the National Allison Family Reunion, now one of western North Carolina's leading heritage events, and publishing our quarterly magazine, The Allison Family Voice. The magazine format publication is loaded with both the news of the past and present of our huge old family and includes a well rounded presentation each quarter. including feature stories on historical family figures, as well family members of today. The organization has drawn together the brightest and best of hundreds of Allison family historians from all around the country and has led to the collection of a mountain of quality family history, plus a massive collection of early family Bibles that have been located. Thousands of historical photographs have also been found thanks to the organization. Michael Allison, President National Allison (Allanson) Family Association ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Allison" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 12:19 PM Subject: [NCBurke] 2004 National Allison Family Reunion