History will come to life in Swannanoa this summer when the annual Buncombe County Chautauqua festival moves to the campus of Warren Wilson College. This popular event – previously held on the grounds of the Smith-McDowell house, and most recently, on the campus of AB-Tech – draws large crowds for four consecutive evenings of performances by nationally acclaimed historical interpreters. Each interpreter gets completely in character, costume and all, and portrays an important historical figure in United States history. The audience is part of the show, chiming in to ask questions. The result is an event that’s unpredictable, often hilarious, and always entertaining and enlightening.

The theme of the 2014 Chautauqua is “Rising to the Occasion.” It features four historical figures who stepped out of obscurity and acted with courage, imagination and determination to meet the challenges of their times. Here’s the schedule:

• Mon., June 16 – Clara Barton, performed by Pat Jordan

• Tue., June 17 – Robert Smalls, performed by Donald Sweeper

• Wed., June 18 – Harry Truman, performed by George Frein

• Thu., June 19 – Patrick Henry, performed by Ken Johnston

These family-friendly shows start at 7:00 p.m. in Morris Pavilion on the campus of Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Road. Arrive early and grab a seat under the pavilion, or bring your own chair and enjoy the show from the lawn. Cost is $4 per show; no advance reservations. Chautauqua is sponsored by the Friends of the Buncombe County Library System. For more info, contact abby.moser@buncombecounty.org.