LEXINGTON'S GREAT SUMMER FAMILY REUNIONS SHINE - 2014 ANNUAL NATIONAL JEFFCOAT REUNION AMONG THE BEST!

LEXINGTON FAMILIES JUST KNOW HOW TO "DO" FAMILY REUNIONS! One of these families is the Jeffcoat family with roots in Lexington back to the middle 1700s. The original house and plantation are intact today and is a registered historic jewel of the State. The Annual National Jeffcoat Reunion draws family members from around the country because it is a weekend that one does not soon forget. The reunion educates and promotes the family's significant roots in Americana. Attendees invite themselves but must be descendants of Samuel Jeffcoat of The Samuel Jeffcoat House & Plantation. It is a simple process to register for the weekend of 5 events. One simply emails NationalJeffcoatReunion@gmail.com to request a multi-page brochure and registration instructions.

The weekend has something for everyone (25 July - 27 July) and starts on Friday evening with a USC (Inn at USC) reception called "Hello Cousins. It is the landing point for the reunion weekend. On Saturday morning there is a History Tour and "Film" of the ancestral lands and community that has colonial roots and was spared destruction by William Sherman's advancing troops during the Civil War. This place is emerging as a very significant piece of South Carolina  and United States history. The small 3.5 mile colonial settlement known as Big Pond Branch is a treasure trove  and culture depository of prehistory and history. After the morning tour and "film" there is a lunch followed by an open afternoon to see and explore sites and attractions in the Columbia area.

Saturday evening is the main event, The Jeffcoat Family Banquet, Awards and Hoedown featuring five musical bands or acts that are local or from Nashville. Awards are custom and manufactured by the same company that makes THE OSCAR. The awards are given in categories of pride, heritage and preservation. Winners are announced at the ceremony except for one lifetime achievement award which is known. This award in 2014 will be awarded to Abb Jeffcoat, realtor and philanthropist. It will be accepted by his widow and/or sister and presented by Russell & Jeffcoat top producing agent and cousin, P.J. Jeffcoat Tompkins.

The banquet is also a highlight of the evening as top local chefs who are experts in southern and low country cuisine serve up a staggering array of comfort food classic. After the awards and banquet, the floor is opened up for a night of family-style entertainment and dancing for all ages.

On Sunday, a private "Jeffcoat Family" church service is held at "Jeffcoats' Meeting House", c. 1775. It is the center and anchor of the colonial community. It recently received an historic roadside marker.

After the church service there is an old-fashioned covered-dish reunion lunch in the fellowship hall. It is called "Good-Bye Cousins", a farewell send-off by the local family to the cousins who have traveled a great distance to be there. 

This Lexington family reunion is a good model of historical and family preservation done Lexington family-style.