I would literally wrestle a bear Daniel Boone style to go see this show. The "will they/won't they?" tension between the Reverend and the Widow was on par with Ross and Rachel and kept us on the edge of our seat for the entire show. A man jumps through fire. Real live fire! Quite possibly the best night of my life.
- Guest Jeremiah
Get ready for an exciting trip back in time, to the 18th Century North Carolina high country before and during the Revolutionary War when the 13 colonies threw off British rule to establish the United States of America.
Since 1952, Horn in the West™ has offered thrilling outdoor entertainment to generations of Americans. Loved by young and old alike, Horn in the West™ is located in the heart of Boone, NC.
The 73rd season of Horn in the West™ has officially concluded, and we are so grateful for everyone who joined us in celebrating this incredible Boone tradition
Promotional video created in 2018 by cast member, Daniel McCook.
THE HORN IN THE WEST™ STORY
Horn in the West™ brings to life the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone and the hardy mountain settlers of the Blue Ridge Mountains in their struggle to preserve their freedom during the years before and during the War for Independence. The drama highlights those settlers who came to the region seeking freedom and escape from British tyranny. Dr. Geoffrey Stuart, a prominent British physician, comes to the Colony of Carolina to study the dreaded disease smallpox, bringing his wife, Martha, and their teenage son, Jack. Through hardship and danger, house-raising and romance, the ties that bind the Stuart family and the small pioneer community grow. Dr. Stuart finds himself a respected leader in this hidden mountain community but has to resolve his conflicted feelings of loyalty to the Crown and his family's sympathy for the Regulators and their fight for American independence.
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Dr. Kermit Hunter (1910 - 2001) was an American playwright primarily known for writing historical dramas. He received an undergraduate degree from Ohio State University. In 1940 he began serving in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and being awarded the Legion of Merit. After leaving the military, Dr. Hunter, a talented musician who had attended Julliard School of Music, served as General Manager of North Carolina Symphony. He received both of his graduate degrees from the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After a year as a Guggenheim Fellow in writing, he served as a professor of drama at Hollins College and became the first Dean of the Meadows School of Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Kermit Hunter wrote more than 40 historical productions.
I love everything about this show! The battle scenes are intense with the lighting, the love stories are fun but not over the top, and overall a great story line that is historically close to accurate with dramatic interpretations to tie in all the history. This is a fun must see show with action, comedy, and drama…something for everyone.
- Guest Roberta
"The gaze of man is westward, as if he could glimpse, somewhere beyond this uneasy world, the great reaches of eternity - as if he could hear, blowing in the distant sunset, the Horn of Freedom."
- Dr. Kermit Hunter, Horn in the West™
Listen In! Meet Our 2025 Director, Clarinda Ross on WATA
Our 2025 director, Clarinda Ross, joined Mark in the Morning to talk all things Horn in the West.
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
1952 Opening Cast - Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
People dressed in colonial-era costumes dancing on stage at Horn in the West Outdoor Drama. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama and heritage experience in Boone, NC.
A large group of people dressed in historical colonial costumes dancing outdoors on a sand stage, with trees in the background. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama and heritage experience in Boone, NC.
A black and white photograph showing a scene from the outdoor drama "Horn In The West" in Boone, North Carolina. Several actors in traditional Native American attire are surrounding a person lying on the ground while a woman in a long dress and a man in a costume appear to be performing a ritual or scene.
Photo by Greg Williams
Black and white photo of a wedding celebration with a bride and groom exchanging rings or a toast outside, surrounded by a large group of people dressed in historical or traditional clothing. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama.
People dressed in 19th-century period costumes dancing in pairs outdoors at night. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama and heritage experience in Boone, NC.
Actors in historical costumes performing a scene outdoors under floral decorations. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama and heritage experience in Boone, NC.
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Preacher Simms and Widow Howard characters are in historical costumes acting in Horn in the West outdoors at night. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama and heritage experience in Boone, NC.
People performing a fire dance at night, holding flaming torches overhead. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama and heritage experience in Boone, NC.
The cast of a musical or theatrical performance on stage, with performers in period costumes, some lifted in the air, others standing and dancing, with trees in the background. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
People dressed in historical costumes performing a traditional folk dance on an outdoor stage at night. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Reenactment of a historical battle with five men dressed as 18th-century soldiers in red coats, wigs, and tricorn hats, holding muskets on a dirt ground with a black fence and greenery in the background. Horn in the West™ is in Boone, NC.
People on stage dressed in historical costumes, with a man in the foreground holding a cane and engaging with the group. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Photo Courtesy of Tyler Wilcox
People participating in Horn in the West, dressed in historical costumes, with one woman wielding a staff and other actors observing. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Four women dressed in 18th-century style gowns and wigs performing on stage outdoors. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Preacher Simms and Widow Howard argue on stage at Horn in the West. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC for families, adults, seniors, and children. Kid-friendly outdoor drama.
Actors performing in a historical play outdoors, with people in period costumes engaging in a scene involving a wooden prop. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Scene from a theatrical performance with three actors in costumes, one holding a sword and another holding a dueling sword, on a stage with a backdrop resembling a forest, dramatic lighting. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama.
Group of actors in colonial-era costumes performing a dance on stage, with tables and costumes in the background. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
People dancing in 19th-century costumes during a stage performance outdoors at night. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Group of people dressed in historical costumes participating in a wedding ceremony outdoors, with floral decorations overhead. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Actors dressed in 18th-century colonial costumes performing a play or reenactment outdoors at dusk. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Performers holding torches on fire during a night-time fire dance. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
The cast of Horn in the West performing a lively musical dance scene on stage, with some characters lifted into the air by their partners. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Historical reenactors dressed as 18th-century soldiers and a leader performing a drill outdoors on a stage with a brick wall and greenery in the background. Horn in the West™ is a Revolutionary War outdoor drama in Boone, NC.
Photo Courtesy of Julie Richardson
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Courtesy of Mac Frazier
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Steve Canipe
Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher
Courtesy of Rich Bowers
Courtesy of Norman Swafford
Courtesy of Mark Barber
Dancers of 1972 - Photo Courtesy of Wendy Fletcher