By Deidre Wilson
Editor
Hillbilly Days is upon us once again, and, this year, event coordinators are hoping that the only change from last year is that there is no rain.
Of course, despite the rain, attendees still managed to have fun last year, according to Lioness Monica Gann.
Tim Rush, who will be taking on the task again this year, really got everyone going as the moderator for last year’s cake walk.
“He had people running around the circle, and he played music like Elvis and “The YMCA”. If you walked, you had to do the YMCA. You had to spell out the letters. It’s the most fun I’ve ever seen anyone have at the cake walk,” said Gann.
The auction and cake walk will take place at 7 p.m., following the Itty Bitty Hillbilly pageant at 6:30.
This year, there has been an additional category added to the pageant for older girls. Before only girls up to age 4 could compete, but contestants can be as old as 8 this year.
“We had people expressing an interest in having a category for older girls,” said Gann.
On Friday night, the fun continues with the annual all-you-can-eat fish fry. Plates are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. This includes fish, fries, slaw, Ms. Ercie’s hush puppies and a drink.
“We’ve got about 300 pounds of catfish ready to fry up,” said Gann.
There will also be a gospel concert on Friday night, which Gann says has grown considerably in popularity over the years.
“It’s grown now to where we’ve had about as big a crowd on Friday nights as we do on Saturday,” said Gann.
Then, of course, Saturday is the big day with entertainment all day, including bluegrass music and a buck dance competition.
Judges for the music competitions this year are Jim Wood, Inge Wood and Boyd Deering.
The fried pie contest will be held at 1 p.m. in the back pavilion.
There are also games, rides and arts and crafts for the kids, and, at her last count, Gann says at least 60 vendor booths to explore.
Contest winners will be announced, including the youngest and oldest and farthest traveled. Of course, you won’t want to miss who wins the Mr. And Ms. Hillbilly contest because the loser gets a pie in the face!
As with all Lions Club events, all the money raised will go toward the organization’s efforts to bring sight and hearing to members of the community.
For craft of booth information, contact B.J. Blankenship at 699-2495 or bjblank1322@yahoo.com. You can also contact Blankenship for general information, or contact Monica Gann at 666-5196.

















