America’s First Walling Marathon Coming Soon, June 26-27!
McConnell Springs Park (Lexington, KY) – The Dry Stone Conservancy will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with America’s First Rock Fence Building Marathon at McConnell Springs Park located at 416 Rebmann Lane in Lexington.
The Marathon event will be open to the public beginning at noon on Saturday, June 26, with work continuing through the night, and ending at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 27.
This is the first-of-its-type event for the United States, a 25-hour continuous rock fence building marathon has never been attempted anywhere in America. The Dry Stone Conservancy fully intends to find out the answer to the age old question: “how much rock fence can be built in 25 hours?”
Teams of volunteer drystone masons and workshop enthusiasts will build in 2-hour shifts throughout the event, day and night, rain or shine. A local master drystone craftsman will lead a dry stone arch building demonstration on Saturday afternoon. Local period reenactors will provide demonstrations and entertainment. Educational materials will be available to explain how Kentucky’s rock fences are built, and where to find qualified contractors for your projects. There will also be an on-site silent auction to benefit the Dry Stone Conservancy with stone masonry tools from top industry manufacturers, a set of hand-crafted walling frames, a stone crafting banker-table, books, and other goodies. At the conclusion of the Rock Fence Marathon on Sunday afternoon, the Friends of McConnell Springs will host a celebration party with refreshments as we sit back and enjoy the builders’ accomplishments.
The event is free for spectators of all ages. McConnell Springs Park, the site of the founding of Lexington, is a great place within the city limits to experience both nature and our rich heritage of dry stone masonry. With walking trails, a pond, the famous Burr Oak, and bubbling springs it does not disappoint. Concessions will be available at the park during the event. So please stop by to say hello, learn about the ancient craft of building dry-laid (mortar-free) rock fences, or just take a nice stroll.
Kentucky has a rich tradition in building dry-laid rock fences, many miles of which still remain over 200 years later gracing our landscape. The Dry Stone Conservancy was created in 1996 in response to an increased need for skilled masons in central Kentucky. In the 25 years since its inception thousands of people have trained for countless hours to learn the skills needed before going forth to restore many miles of rock fences throughout Kentucky and beyond.
In tribute to its 25 years of preserving and promoting the craft of dry stone masonry the Dry Stone Conservancy will spearhead the event to construct a rock fence for 25 continuous hours. Volunteer shifts of masons and trainees from all over the world who have participated in its training and restoration activities through the years will showcase the techniques involved.
Please support the Conservancy’s efforts with your $25 tax-deductible donation, one dollar for each of the organization’s 25 years, at www.drystone.org/donate-now
For additional information, please visit https://www.drystone.org/dsc-celebrates-25-years or 859.266.4807