The Charleston Calhoun Hiwassee Historical Society will host the first annual Wild River Days on June 4 and 5 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the filming of Wild River in the Charleston Area.

The event will include food vendors, an antique car show, live music all day; rides on the ferry to the island used in the movie, and the showing of the movie Wild River all day.

Several local people who were in the film will be on hand to sign autographs.

Faye Callaway, president of the Charleston Calhoun Hiwassee Historical Society, in making the announcement said, “We are extremely proud of the history in this area and The Wild River Days is just the first step in bringing this community back to life through showcasing the activities over the years of Charleston and Calhoun. The Society is working on many things including highlighting the area’s history of Fort Cass and the Trail of Tears. This area is one of the most historical sites in the shaping of America and it is time for us to remember and honor the are."

In late 1959 and 1960, Elia Kazan and Twentieth Century Fox filmed the movie Wild River mainly in Charleston and a few other remote sites in Tennessee. The movie starred Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick and JoAnn Fleet. Over 80 local residents and one old blue tick hound had parts in the movie.

Local Wild River historian and author David Swafford said, “This was the first movie shot completely in Tennessee. All the scenes of the movie were shot here with no part of the movie shot at the studio.”

Wild Rivers Days will kick off with a Hollywood Gala on Friday, June 4, at the Museum in Cleveland sponsored by the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce and the Museum at 5 Points. On Saturday, June 5, activities will start in downtown Charleston at 10 a.m. with live music in the park and food vendors. The antique car show will feature cars pre 1942 and will include about 75cars from Knoxville, Chattanooga and other surrounding area. There will also be two cars actually used in the movie on display. The movie will be shown all day and will be free to the public.

In the movie, Coon Denton Island was used to film a lot of the movie. Event goers will be able to ride the ferry across the river and visit and tour the island. There will also be live music on the island.

Also that day, the Old Concrete Highway that runs through Charleston will be marked and placed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Ms. Callaway in conclusion said, “We are excited about the things that are happening in this area. We hope to turn this annual festival into a major event in Southeast Tennessee in the future. Please come join us for some wild but family fun at Wild River Days.”

For more information visit www.WildRiverCelebration.com or www.CCHHistorialSociety.com.