Mobile will celebrate one of its oldest legends this May with two Boyington Oak events featuring living history performances, guided tours and community programming centered on the historic site tied to the Boyington Oak story.

The inaugural Boyington Oak Day is scheduled for May 10 at 2 p.m. at the site of the Boyington Oak at 102 Bayou St in Mobile. The free, public event is sponsored in part by the Mobile County Commission and the Mobile City Council and is designed to honor Mobile’s most enduring local legend.

Organizers say the program will include a brief skit performed by actors along with appearances by the Azalea Trail Maids and Mobile Belles. Secret History Tours will also offer a free guided tour for attendees. Questions or reservations can be directed to info@boyingtonoaksociety.com.

The Boyington Oak legend dates back nearly 200 years and centers on journeyman printer, poet and musician Charles Boyington. According to local lore, Boyington was hanged for the murder of his best friend and predicted that an oak tree would grow from his gravesite in Mobile proving his innocence. An oak reportedly did grow and the tree still stands today.

A larger celebration follows one week later with the 7th Annual Boyington Oak Festival set for May 16 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oakleigh House Museum.

The festival will feature the signature play, “The Truth is in the Tree,” written by Mary S. Palmer along with Oakleigh House tours and a guided experience from Gulf Coast Historic Trolley Tours that retraces the historic gallows’ walk associated with Charles R.S. Boyington.

Additional activities include an antique car show and procession, appearances by the Azalea Trail Maids and Mobile Belles, drinks, boarding house crackers and So Jam Delicious along with food service from the C & M Eats food truck. Ticketed offerings include the play for $20, Oakleigh tours for $10 and trolley tours for $25.

More information is available atboyingtonoak.info/events. Questions and reservations can be directed to info@boyingtonoaksociety.com.