47th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days, June 15-17

Macon County Hillbilly Days returns next week, and promises to provide entertainment for the entire family!

The 47th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days event, sponsored by the Lafayette Lions and Lioness Lions Clubs is set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 15, 16 & 17, 2023, at Key Park, in Lafayette.

Returning this year is the Hillbilly Day Rocky Top Talent Show for kids 12 or younger, and contestants will have 5 minutes to do their act. There will be a $5 fee to participate in the talent show, which begins at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. Prizes are 1st place, $100; 2nd place, $50; and 3rd place, $25. Kids can register the day of the event. If you have any questions contact James Harrison via text at 615-670-5636.

Also returning this year is the 3rd Annual Hillbilly Days Cornhole Tournament set for Saturday, June 17, at Key Park, beginning at 1 p.m. $20 per team-early registration and $30 per team day of event. Register online by emailing hillbillydayscornhole@gmail.com.

A new event this year is the Hillbilly Days’ 1st Annual Hillbilly Hurl – Disc Golf Tournament at Ezra’s Place (in Key Park) at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17. $40.00 admission fee and on-line registration opens May 8, at discgolfscene.com. The tournament limit of 36 players chosen on first come first serve basis. All players provided t-shirt and custom mini disc marker! Prizes awarded to top 3 finishers! All proceeds benefit the Lioness Lions and Lions Clubs! Y’all come and have some fun!

The Macon County Hillbilly Days opening ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, followed by the Itty Bitty Hillbillies Beauty Pageant at 6:30 and a cakewalk at 7:00 p.m. Pageant entry forms can be picked up or dropped off at Citizens Bank (main branch), D.T. McCalls or Whittemore’s Bookkeeping (across from Piggly Wiggly). Girls 0-8 years old and boys 0-4 years old can enter the pageant, and all are encouraged to dress in their finest “Hillbilly” attire. All first place winners in each category will also be invited to participate in the Best Overall Itty Bitty Hillbilly and Most Itty Bitty Hillbilly Costume categories.

The gospel concert will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16. The gospel groups are Joyfull Road and Brother Adcock and Mercy Link.

The highly anticipated fish fry will also be sure to draw a crowd starting at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, June 16. Cost for the fish fry, which will include fish, fries, slaw, white beans, Ms. Ercie’s hush puppies and a drink, will be $12 per adult and $8 for children 12 and under. All different varieties of fried pies will also be available for purchase.

Saturday will be jam-packed with exciting instrumental events for all ages kicking-off at 10 a.m. with a flat top guitar showdown, followed by mandolin, beginner fiddle (under 16), harmonica, banjo, Jr. Fiddle (ages 16-54), Risey Scruggs Memorial Sr. Fiddle Challenge (ages 55 and up) and the 7th Annual Ped Scruggs Memorial Fiddle Challenge – Jr. Fiddle vs. Sr. Fiddle, winners prize-$100.  

The Billy and Joanna Roark Community Service Award will be held at 2:30 p.m. and the Mr. and Miss Hillbilly contest will be held around 2:45 p.m. This year’s Mr. Hillbilly is Alex Martinez and Miss Hillbilly is Tesha Jenkins – the two will battle it out to see who raised the most money, with the loser receiving a pie in the face. 

Singing and dance competitions will begin at 3 p.m., with the Buck Dance competitions (ages 41 & under), followed by the 42 and up Buck Dance performers at 3:15, and at 3:30 the youth talent show will get underway.

Male vocalist performances are set for 4:30 and female vocalist performances will follow at 5:30.

First place winners in the Jr. Fiddle & Risey Scruggs Memorial Sr. Fiddle Challenge will win $150. First place winners in the male vocalist and female vocalist will win $100. First place winners in buck dancing, beginning fiddle and harmonica will win $50. First place winners in the flat top guitar, mandolin, banjo, and kids talent contest will also win a $100. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the second and third place winners. The entry fee for each category is $5. 

The Bluegrass Band, better known as “The Big Show” will end the three day event at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. This year there will be no competition at this event and folks will be entertained by three wonderful bands: Clearview, Luggnutts and Tennessee Turn Arounds. The Big Show is held in memory of James Arnett, who provided sound and equipment for this event for many years.

Those planning to compete in any of the competitions are to be registered at least one hour prior to the scheduled time of the category they are competing in.

Other activities for guests to enjoy throughout the event will be a variety of arts and craft booths, games, contests, bouncy houses, a train, water ball and much more. 

Returning for the 4th year is the Hillbilly Jail, where you can pay to have someone put in jail and they must pay to be released!

If you plan to attend, remember to bring your own lawn chairs and kick back and enjoy three days of music, fun and lots of good food!

“Everybody looks forward to this event each year,” said Monica Gann. “It’s a family-friendly event and it serves a great purpose. We hope to see everyone at this year’s Macon County Hillbilly Days event, which kicks off on Thursday, June 15 – you don’t want to miss it.”

For general information about this year’s Hillbilly Days event, contact Monica Gann at 615-666-5196 or B.J. Blankenship at 615-699-2495. For craft or booth information contact B.J. Blankenship by phone or email: bjblank1322@yahoo.com.