5 ways to celebrate your inner—or outer—Hillbilly
Hillbilly Days is not just about hillbillies and food. It is also about the many unique events that makes this great festival stand out. Here is our list of five goofy and entertaining events we are looking forward to at this year’s Hillbilly Days, which is scheduled for April 20-22, 2017.
“Hillbilly Days is a special festival that is not only goofy and fun, but serves as a major fundraiser for the Shriners Hospital for Children,” said Jay Shepherd, marketing director for Pike County Tourism CVB. “It is the ‘festival with a heart.’”
5. 3 Stages of Live Music
Throughout the Hillbilly Days festival, from Thursday to Saturday, music from a multitude of genres can be found across Pikeville City. While this is not exactly goofy, the variety alone makes it something to be experienced. One could enjoy everything from bluegrass to metal music, cover bands to overall clad country performers. This year, there will be three stages of live music. Stages will be located in the Pikeville City Park, the East KY Expo Center Billy Johnson Stage off Main St., and beside the historic Pike County Courthouse on the corner of Main St. and Division St. Each of these stages will be hosting music throughout the event.
4. Hillbilly Carnival
Another fixture of Hillbilly Days is the carnival. Located in the Riverfill Area and Riverfill 10 parking lot, one could expect plenty of rides, games, funnel cake, and lots of fun. One could also expect carnival staples such as the Ferris wheel, carousel, fun slide, and much more.
3. Hillbilly Parade
The Hillbilly Parade is truly something to behold. Featuring all the trappings of a traditional parade, such as floats, marching bands, and candy throwers, the Hillbilly Days parade has a flavor that truly sets it apart. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Hillbilly Days parade are the hillbilly cars known as jalopies. These cars and trucks, which look like vehicles resurrected from the dead, each have a character of their own that makes them as much a work of art as an eye sore. Taking place on Hambley Blvd. on the last day of Hillbilly Days, Saturday, April 22, the Hillbilly Days parade is a must-see, goofy event.
2. Pig Drop
Last, but definitely not least, is a brand new event coming this year, the Pig Drop. Think of it as a big game of Bingo or Roulette. There’s a big panel set out, decorated with some numbers, and it costs $20 to pick a square. Participants who pay for a square in the panel have to wait for a pig to pick a square to, well, drop their business. Whoever chooses the correct square is the “winner.” Proceeds from this event will go to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Lexington, KY, and will take place at the East Kentucky Expo Main Street entrance.
1. Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton with special guest Brent Cobb will be performing at the East Kentucky Expo Center, Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, 2017. This very special performance will be held during the 2017 Hillbilly Days festival, with shows beginning at 7 p.m.
Hillbilly Days Hillbilly Days is Kentucky’s second largest festival. Every year, hillbillies from all walks of life migrate to Pikeville City for three days of fun, friends, fiddlin’ and food! Hillbilly Days is a fundraiser for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington.
