WARRENTON, Ga (WJBF) - Revolutionary War hero David Bushnell invented the first submarine used in battle called the Turtle. Warren County held Turtle Fest to honor the veteran and his invention.
David Bushnell was from Connecticut but retired to Warren County after the American Revolution. Bushnell worked as a doctor and teacher in Warrenton until his death.
The festival was organized for the 250th anniversary of the United States. The wreath laying ceremony on September 6th was 250 years to the day of the Turtle's first attack on the British.
"September 6th is the date of the mission," CEO of Events of Warren County Tammy Carden said. "So we had to have it on September 6th."
The festival lasted two days with a parade and several other events on September 5th. A proclamation from Lt. Governor Burt Jones was read at the wreath ceremony on the 6th, making September 5th and 6th David Bushnell's Turtle Days for 2026.
The future of Turtle Fest has not yet been determined. Organizers are hopeful they can continue to celebrate Bushnell so that the history does not become a distant memory.
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