News

Jump Off Rock event should be sunny

By Bill Moss, Published: May 22, 2014

The Laurel Park Civic Association hosts the fifth annual Bluegrass & BBQ event at Jump Off Rock on Saturday with barbecue dinners by Pit Boss Barbecue and music by Appalachian Fire, the Rocky Flats Bluegrass Band and Bobby and the Bluegrass Tradition.

Gates open at 3:30. Bring chair, picnic blankets and coolers (beer and wine permitted).

Unlike last year, the fifth annual event should take place in beautiful spring weather. The forecast is for sunny skies and a high of 79. Last year, the Memorial Day weekend event was postponed because of rain.

Tickets including admission and the barbecue dinner are $20, $10 for children under 12. Admission is free for children under 6. Tickets are available at Laurel Park Town Hall and Laurel Park Wine Market. Proceeds benefit the Laurel Park Civic Association and its efforts to improve the town. Using research by Laurel Park Town Councilman Paul Hansen, the Laurel Park Civic Association and the town will soon erect a historic marker at Jump Off Rock, which is also due for a cleanup and trail work this summer.
Here is the text of the proposed marker:
"In the mid 1800s, the family of Josiah Davis settled on Jump Off Mountain. Shortly thereafter Josiah, his wife and his son, J.M. (Mountain Man) Davis, used dynamite and an oxen pulled sled to begin building the road known today as Davis Mountain Road. They also built an offset road to Jump Off Rock which was completed in 1907. This was the only access road to Jump Off Rock until Laurel Park Estates built Laurel Park Highway in 1924.
"In 1925, W.D. and Nina McAdoo of Pinellas County, Florida, purchased Jump Off Rock from the Davis family and donated the property to the newly formed Town of Laurel Park.
Due to the hard work and generosity of these few individuals, many generations of residents and visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Jump Off Rock."