50th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days, June 18-20
Macon County Hillbilly Days returns next week, and promises to provide entertainment for the entire family!
The 50th Annual Macon County Hillbilly Days event, sponsored by the Lafayette Lions and Lioness Lions Clubs is set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 18, 19 & 20, 2026, at Key Park, in Lafayette.
The Macon County Hillbilly Days opening ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026, followed by the Itty Bitty Hillbillies Beauty Pageant at 6:30 Judges this year are WTVF News Channel 5 Meteorologist Henry Rothenberg and Channel 5 News Reporter Kim Rafferty. Pageant entry forms can be picked up or dropped off at Wellworth 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 Cakewalk begins at 6:30 p.m. in the back pavilion (.50 cents a walk) with many homemade desserts available.
The Macon County Senior Shufflers will showcase their line dancing talents during a special performance on Friday at 4:30 pm.
The Gospel concert will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19. The Garmon’s, Happy Hearts & Family, Jeff Sneed Trio and Joyful Road will entertain you while you eat.
The highly anticipated Fish Fry will also be sure to draw a crowd starting at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, June 19. 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, including Fried Pies, will also be available for purchase.
The Hillbilly Days’ 4th Annual Hillbilly Hurl – Disc Golf Tournament at Ezra’s Place (in Key Park) at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20. $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.!
New this year on Saturday are The Food Contests in the Back Pavilion, starting at 1:00 pm is the Banana Pudding Contest (can be hot or cold), judging at 1:30, the Kids Lemonade Contest (ages 6-12) must …
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be made at the park. Can be powder or real lemons. Judging begins at 2:00.
The Fried Pie Contest begins at 2:30 with two categories Apple & Variety. Contestants must submit at least 6 pies per entry. Winning entries will be auctioned off. Nick Beres with Channel 5 will be judging this category at 3:00 pm.
The Ice Cream Contest begins at 3:00. Categories include vanilla, chocolate, fruit & specialty. All ice cream must be made at the park. Ingredients are the responsibility of the contestant. Ice will be provided, bring your own electric cord. Judging begins at 4:00.
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, 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 2:00 p.m. and the Mr. and Miss Hillbilly contest will be held around 2:15 p.m. This year’s Mr. Hillbilly is Jimmy Dyer and Miss Hillbilly is Gretchen Kufel – 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 2:30 p.m., with the Buck Dance competitions (ages 41 & under), followed by the 42 and up Buck Dance performers at 3:15,
Male vocalist performances are set for 3:00 and female vocalist performances will follow at 4:00.
First place winners in the Jr. Fiddle & Risey Scruggs Memorial Sr. Fiddle Challenge will win $225. First place winners in the male vocalist and female vocalist will win $200. First place winners in buck dancing, and harmonica will win $150. First place winners in the flat top guitar, mandolin, banjo, will also win a $200. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the second and third place winners. The entry fee for each category is $5.
Join the Flat Rock Ramblers on Saturday at 5:00 PM for a patriotic salute commemorating 250 years of American legacy, history and heritage.
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, Lugg Nutts 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, homemade craft items, stuffed animals, tote bags, deep read press (local history books), paparazzi/hat bar, chair-massage, t-shirt bar, Air Evac, laser engraving, tumblers, wooden toys, air fresheners, knifes, essential oils, custom boutique clothing, fox tails, Bible based publications, water bottle holders, soaps, lotions, beard products, pet collars & leashes, embroidered goods, clothes, caps, kids novelties, kids activities-train, bungee jump, face painting, rabbit hole, bounce house, water balls and much more.
Also several food vendors & trucks including Brusters Ice Cream, No Forks Needed, Domino’s Pizza, Bayou Billy Tea, T&C Kettle Corn, pork rinds, cotton candy, battered deep fried taters, coffee, energy drinks, fruit tea, funnel cakes, corn dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, fried Oreos, fried Snickers, fried pies, smoked fried bologna, shaved ice, homemade breads, shredded chicken with Alabama white sauce, Philly cheese steak, Pinto Beans & cornbread and lemonade.
Returning for the 6th 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!
All proceeds benefit the Lioness Lions and Lions Clubs! Y’all come and have some fun.
“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 18 – 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.
Please come out and help us celebrate Hillbilly Days’ 50th year, along with the 250th anniversary of our great country!
