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From: "Michael Allison" <>
Subject: 2004 National Allison Family Reunion
Date: Sun, 30 May 2004 12:19:03 -0500


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clothing, woodcrafts, original historical documents, rare books, and far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



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