49th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days June 19 to 21

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

The 49th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days event, sponsored by the Lafayette Lions and Lioness Lions Clubs is set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 19, 20 & 21, 2025, 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 21. Prizes are 1st place, $100; 2nd place, $50; and 3rd place, $25. Kids can register the day of the event. Also returning this year is the 5th Annual Hillbilly Days Corn hole Tournament set for Saturday, June 21, 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.

The Hillbilly Days’ 3rd Annual Hillbilly Hurl – Disc Golf Tournament at Ezra’s Place (in Key Park) at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 21. $35.00 admission fee and on-line registration opens May 12, at discgolfscene.com. The tournament limit of 36 players chosen on first come first serve basis. All players provided with a custom mini disc marker and t-shirts are available to order!! . Prizes are awarded to the top 3 finishers in men’s 18+, women’s 18+ and 18U.

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 19, 2025, followed by the Itty Bitty Hillbillies Beauty Pageant at 6:30 and a cakewalk at 6:30 p.m. in the back pavilion. Pageant entry forms can be picked up or dropped off at Citizens Bank (main branch) and 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 20. The gospel groups are Jeff Sneed Trio, Macedonia Boys and Short Mountain Boys.

The highly anticipated fish fry will also be sure to draw a crowd starting at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, June 20. 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 desserts 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 9th 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 Jay Rhoton and Miss Hillbilly is Angie Sullivan – 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 Concert, better known as “The Big Show” will end the three day event at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. This year there will be no competition at this event and folks will be entertained by three wonderful bands: Copper Canyon, 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 with purses, crochet animals, key chains, water bottles, jewelry, freeze dried candy, pure bees wax candles, home made craft items, stuffed animals, tote bags, deep read press (local history books), paparazze/hat bar, chair massage, t-shirt bar, air evac, lazer engraving, tumblers, lazer paintings, wooden toys, knifes, fox tails, Avon, baskets, water bottle holders, soaps, lotions, beard products, embroidered goods, clothes, caps, kids novelties, kids activities-train, bungy jump, rabbie hole, bounch house, water balls and much more.

Also several food vendors & trucks including Brusters Ice Cream, Domino’s Pizza, Bayou Billy Tea, T&C Kettle Corn, pork rinds, cotton candy, battered deep fried taters, cajun food, coffee, energy drinks, fruit tea, Bobs drinks, funnel cakes, corn dogs, fried Oreos, fried Snickers, fried pies and lemonade.

Returning for the 5th 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 19 – you don’t want to miss it.”

The Macon County Historical Society is going to have a historical information table set up outside the log cabin, located at Key Park, during Hillbilly Days. They would love for you to stop by and share what you know about Macon County’s history.

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.