As thousands gathered at Key Park for the Lions Club 37^th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days extravaganza, the 94º temperature didn’t stop people from immersing themselves in the rich local culture, as well as the old time traditions of the hills of rural Middle Tennessee.

People from all walks of life came to enjoy three fun-filled days and nights of activity, and according to Monica Gann the crowd was estimated at 4,000 people over the 72 hour celebration. “Blending the old with the new, we offered something for everyone,” said Lafayette Lioness Club Secretary Monica Gann, “including kids rides, clothing & handbag booths, hamburgers and other delights.”

Gann said that the best of bluegrass and country music was enjoyed and some of the most talented artists in the area participated in the various contests.

Winners in the entertainment section were:

Flat Top Guitar

1^st Tyler Andal

2^nd Tyler Sellers

3^rd Rob Pearcy

Mandolin

1^st Tyler Andal

2^nd Kamon Reynolds

3^rd Rob Pearch

Banjo

1^st Weston Stewart

2^nd Robert Morris

3^rd Luke Mundy

Jr. Fiddle (16-50)

1^st Adam French

2^nd Tyler Andal

3^rd Mary Rachel Nalley

Male Vocalist

1^st Jason Gammon

2^nd Dwayne Murry

3^rd Robert McClanahan

Sr. Fiddle (51 & up)

1^st R.B. Scruggs

2^nd Carl Franklin

3^rd Don Sadler

Harmonica

1^st Rob Pearcy

2^nd Herman Ray

3^rd Ethan Reynolds

Female Vocalist

1^st Tori West

2^nd Jessie Clements

3^rd Lindsey Neal

3^rd Annual Ped Scruggs Memorial Fiddle Off

Winner: Adam French

Bluegrass Band

1^st Southbound

2^nd Clearview

3^rd Hillbilly Boys

Buck Dance (15+)

1^st Tori West

2^nd Tommy Scruggs

3^rd Chris Gray

Fried Apple Pie

1^st Betty Burgett

2^nd Dorothy Hance

2^nd (tie) Kennedy Hix

Fried Variety Pie

1^st Betty Burgett

2^nd Dorothy Hance

3^rd Dorothy Hance

Best Overall Pie

Betty Burgett

Mr. and Mrs. Hillbilly were Ronald Birdwell, who raised $1,760, and Melissa Shrum, who raised $2,942.36. The winner of the Ms. Hillbilly Costume Contest was Cindy Scruggs and Mr. Hillbilly Costume Contest winner was Hobart Barton. The youngest person in attendance was Kathleen Reynolds and Jason Swindle; and the farthest traveled was Brandel Brawner. The oldest person in attendance was R.B Scruggs and the longest married couple went to Herman and Faye Ray.

The Roaring Lion Community Service Award changed to the Billy & Joanna Roark Community Service Award and the winners were North Central Telephone Cooperative and Tri County Electric.

Once again the Macon County Chronicle covered the event and WEEN Radio broadcast live. As usual, Hillbilly Days never disappoints, and hopefully memories were made at the annual event, and if you missed it, you’ll have another chance next year!