By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
Grayson’s annual Memory Days celebration is already underway. The Memory Days pageant was last weekend, and parade registration closed on Tuesday. But the festival starts in earnest tomorrow, with an ice cream social, opening ceremonies, family fun night, and live music entertainment.
Of course, the Memory in Memory Days is a reference to Memorial Day, so after the window display judging at 2 p.m. tomorrow, the Boy Scouts will honor the flag so many of our veterans died defending with a Flag Retirement ceremony in Veteran’s Park beginning at 4 p.m.
After that solemn and heartfelt event, you can indulge in an old-fashioned tradition at the Bayless Memorial Presbyterian Church’s ice cream social. That event kicks off at 5 and runs through 7 p.m. So, if you aren’t ready for ice cream right away, you can sit and reflect, or catch the opening ceremonies, before wandering over to sweeten your evening.
The opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. on the Main Street stage. They start with a welcome address, followed by Scarlett Williams performing the National Anthem, a JROTC salute, and a ribbon cutting. Immediately following the opening ceremony will be performances by Dance with Hope Studio, 6:20, Center Stage Studio, 7:20, and Cosmic Athletic Center All-Stars, at 8:20.
Throughout the evening families can have fun on the rock climbing wall or on the Inflation Station inflatables, both behind Horton Bros. & Brow Pharmacy. While the other events are all free, there is a $5 fee for the rock climbing wall, and for an inflatable wristband. That wristband, however, allows you and your children to go eat, check out other events, and then come back for more bouncing fun.
Music!
Over on the WGOH stag, the music will kick off just as the dance and acrobatics recitals are winding down. Emcee Mike Nelson will host an evening of live music from Evergreen, starting at 8:30, and followed by the Chris Feller Band at 9:30 p.m.
But Thursday’s just the start of the music. Entertainment features large this year, and it continues on Friday.
After filling up at the Grayson Volunteer Fire Department’s BBQ and catfish fry, which starts at 4 p.m. and goes until the food is gone, wander over to the Grayson Gallery for the Final Friday art show. This month’s show features the original artwork work of ECHS students. Check out the art, vote for your favorites, and catch some tunes by Boggs and Harris. Final Friday runs from 6 to 8, so if you want to check out some of the other music, you can wander in before or after the shows over on Main Street.
The Gap, the new open air event space next to the Blue Goose building, will feature music with The Goodfellas, performing “memorable tunes” of times past, from 6 – 7 p.m.
Out on the WGOH stage, Kaleb Mullins and the Witness get started at 7 p.m. followed by Shelby Lore at 8 p.m. and Shane Runion Band at 9 p.m.
If you get thirsty during any of this, wander over to Dionysus Beverage Center and discover some new wines during their wine tasting, from 4 – 8 p.m.
On Saturday the music starts at 5 p.m., with Kentucky Memories at the Gap. Then, starting at 6 on the WGOH stage, emcee Jason Smith will take over duties for the evening, introducing the Return, followed by From the Hills at 7 p.m. and Dustin Burchett Band at 8 p.m.
Sunday is bluegrass day, with a full day of music from 1 – 8 p.m. Things kick-off with Hammertowne at 1 p.m., Don Rigsby (fresh off his performance with American Idol winner Noah Thompson) and his band the Fly by Knights, taking over at 2 p.m. and Sideline at 3 p.m. After a short break the line-up repeats, with Hammertowne at 5, Don Rigsby and the Fly by Knights at 6, and Sideline playing from 7 p.m. until the show closes.
More!
Sure, the theme this year is Peace, Love, and Memory Days: Main Street in the 70s. And, yes, that time period is fondly remembered for its music, from the folk revival to psychedelic, and disco to punk, the 1970s were a fertile time for music. But if you think this year’s Memory Days is a music festival, think again. There’s plenty of other stuff going on.
For those interested in shopping and food, vendors will be open beginning at 4 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, with retail and art vendors at the Blue Goose Collective on Main Street, and food vendors set up on Pomeroy and in the Commercial Bank parking lot. While shopping on Friday, don’t forget to venture up near the library, for the Friends of the Library book sale, from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
On Saturday vendors will open their booths beginning at 9 a.m. So, you can come participate in the Mental Health Matters 5K Run & Walk – registration begins at 8 a.m. at the gazebo on Main Street – grab a bite at the Grayson Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast, and then start checking out the vendors. The pancake breakfast runs from 8:30 – 11 a.m. and features pancakes, bacon, and sausage for $6.
Of course, once you’re in town, you can’t miss the dog job. The 21st annual Dog Jog, one of Memory Days favorite events, starts at 10 a.m. There is a $15 registration fee for participation, which includes a t-shirt.
If you missed out on the Final Friday art show, because you were busy watching bands, you’ll get another chance for an encore viewing on Saturday too, when the gallery opens from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for their Second Look Saturday.
The inflatables and rock climbing wall will be back too. But that isn’t all there will be for the kids. From 10 a.m. – noon there will be free children’s train rides in the First Church of Christ parking lot , on the corner of Second and Pomeroy.
Then, at noon, outside the Grayson public library, the library will host a story reading. Each child present will be given a free book as well. Of course, if mom and dad, or grandma and grandpa, want to find a new book for themselves as well, the Friends of the Library book sale will be taking place on Main Street, in the area near the library as well, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Parade
That takes us right up to the parade. The parade, based on the theme Peace, Love & Memory Days, begins at 1 p.m. (lineup starts at noon) with emcees Mike Nelson and Jill York, and Mayor George Steele serving as Grand Marshall.
After the parade OVW Wrestling will present their Memory Days Mayhem show, at East Carter High School. Admission to that show is $5, $10 ringside, with children 10 and under admitted free of charge. Train rides will resume at 4 p.m. as well, and run until 6 p.m. when the music resumes.
Cars
Memory Days prides itself on having a little something for everyone, and that includes the gearheads among us as well.
On Saturday admirers and owners of vintage automobiles can check out the Carter County Cruisers 40th anniversary car show. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 1 p.m. with awards presented at 4 p.m. There is a $10 entry fee, with prizes awarded for the top 25 vehicles, plus specialties. That show takes place in the Prichard Elementary parking lot.
On Sunday, it’s the first annual Kiwanis Jeep Show. Registration for that begins at 1 p.m. with awards presented at 2 p.m. The $20 entry fee for that event helps fund the purchase of handicap accessible playground equipment for the new park. Because it’s right on Main Street too, you can check out the Jeeps without having to miss any of the bluegrass show going on at the WUGO stage.
More info
These are, of course, outdoor events and some schedules may be subject to change. You can find a complete schedule and more information from the Grayson Chamber of Commerce web page, at graysonchamber.com, or by checking out the Memory Days Facebook page. You can also receive text message alerts of different Memory Days events on your smart phone by opting in and texting “MEMORY” to 888-497-3388. If you don’t want to miss Don Rigsby, the Jeep Show, or any other particular act or event, this app will help keep you on schedule.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
