The huge National Allison Family Reunion returns to Brevard, North Carolina in Transylvania County on October 19-21. The guest of honor and speaker for 2007 is Her Majesty's Deputy Consul General Helen Arbon. The distinguished British diplomat will pay tribute to the Allisons' British ancestors and will deliver greetings to the family on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the United Kingdom. The National Allison Family Reunion is an annual event produced by the 700 members of the National Allison-Allanson Family Association, founded in Brevard on October 19, 1996. Attendance will be drawn from dozens of states and at least three foreign countries. Family members will travel to Brevard from as far away as Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The Allisons arrived in the mountains of western NC in 1778 and soon populated most of the western counties of the state, as well as northeast Georgia counties and several locations in upper South Carolina, especially in the counties bordering on North Carolina, including Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, and others. The National Allison-Allanson Family Association is composed of the descendants of Thomas Allanson/Allison (1639-1684), Lord of Christian Temple Manor, who sailed from London, England to Charles County, Maryland in 1658 and established a large plantation on the Potomac. His huge family of today is spread heavily across the Carolinas and northeast Georgia. New for 2007 will be a special historical exhibit entitled "One Family - Five Centuries." The extensive heritage exhibit flows through time from the year 1500 to the present, chronologically interpreting 500 years in the life of a single family as it evolves from the civility of life in London to life in colonial Maryland in the 1600's, and eventually to life as a culturally and racially diverse American pioneer family established in the mountains of western North Carolina in 1778. Family history exhibits covering most lines of the family will total almost 300 feet, providing an amazingly rich experience for anyone interested in family history. An exciting line-up of specially selected heritage entertainment will also take the Allisons through time, beginning with classic British selections performed by the Pyramid Brass Quintet. Atlanta vocalist Allison Melton will also perform several traditional British selections, including God Save the Queen and the awe-inspiring "Did Those Feet in Ancient Time," based on the ancient legends of Glastonbury, England. American heritage entertainment will be presented by several bands and entertainers, including the Celestial Mountain String Band, the McDowell Family Band, Tugalo Holler, vocalist Hannah DiBella, the Melodyaires, and former world champion Indian hoop dancer Eddie Swimmer of Cherokee. Festivities kick off with a welcome party at the Elk's Club on Friday, October 19. Friday evening includes dinner, heritage entertainment, dancing, and a family history swap-shop area. The event packed weekend continues all day on Saturday on campus at Brevard College, opening early that morning at 8:00 am with a narrated, guided tour of the heritage exhibit by family historian Michael Allison. The annual reunion program and banquet follows at 10:00 am. Her Majesty's Deputy Consul General Arbon will speak in late morning and will present a memorial wreath made from the English Allison rose during the annual reunion memorial service in early afternoon. After an afternoon break, the events turn casual and down-home for an old-fashioned family fun night with dancing, singing, and a barbeque dinner. Following events on campus on Saturday evening, the crowd will gather for an after hours bluegrass music party at Rockefellas at Rodeway Inn. For 2007, the event packed Allison reunion weekend coincides with the community-wide Transylvania Heritage Day celebration on Sunday, October 21 at the historic 1815 Allison-Deaver House. Heritage Day will allow the reunion crowd to experience the Allison family's oldest surviving home in America brought to life like never before through living historians and demonstrators and excellent heritage entertainment from the stage on the front lawn. All Allisons and kin, as well as friends of the family, are cordially invited. Due to catered meals, reservations are required for most events. Please call immediately for more information, including a schedule of events and how to make reservations closer to date. Contact Faye McCall (828) 877-4066 or e-mail Michael Allison at dma12@bellsouth.net Hotel and motel packages are available but they're going fast. Anyone needing lodging should contact us immediately!