The McCreary Fest began as a community event in November 1980, and moved to October in 1981, where it has remained, earning October 2007 the privilege to mark the 28th Annual McCreary Fest parade and festivities. Sometimes called “Homecoming” or “October Fest” by locals, McCreary Fest is the oldest continually held festival in McCreary County, and one of the oldest in the commonwealth of Kentucky It is held the first weekend of each October.
The host to the event is Whitley City, the seat of McCreary County, an area sometimes called the “Heart of the Upper South,” or, for its many natural wonders and resources, “Kentucky’s Outdoor Playground.“ Take part in McCreary Fest and included in the prize package is world famous Cumberland Falls (the site of the only moon bow in the western hemisphere, and called the Niagara of the South), sky high Yahoo Falls (at 120 feet, the tallest waterfall in Kentucky), the breathtaking beauty of Eagle Falls, miles and miles of hiking trails, gorges, overlooks, campgrounds, and natural archways. Keeping in pace with Kentucky’s thriving horse industry, McCreary County offers many events for the equine enthusiast, while water lovers can chase rapids down the Cumberland River. Yet, McCreary County is no stranger to history either, and opens its doors to history lovers everywhere. Perched just inside Kentucky’s Eastern Coalfields, the Blue Heron and Barthel Mining Camps have been recreated, bringing the early days of mountain living and the days of the Great Depression alive. Both camps are open to visitors, who can tour them by train on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Just minutes from Whitley City, Historic Stearns and the McCreary County Museum provide haven for those interested in McCreary County’s past. American Indian lovers will be thrilled by the legend of the Cherokee’s Princess Cornblossom and Big Jake Troxell. And Civil War lovers cannot be forgotten. McCreary County was site to many skirmishes between the blue and the gray, and sits an hour from Mill Springs Battlefield. But that’s not all.
Established in 1912 as the youngest of Kentucky’s 120 counties, McCreary County was named in honor of two-term Kentucky governor and Confederate War Hero, James Bennett McCreary (Lt. Colonel, 11th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA). McCreary had ridden with General John Hunt Morgan, and was captured by Union forces in 1863 near the Ohio River. Though a prisoner, Colonel McCreary had concealed $100 in gold in the seams of his clothing. With part of this, he had induced a Union soldier to sell him a long knife. It was agreed that, with the knife, McCreary should grapple the guard, overpower him, then escape to Confederate sympathizers in Canada. But before the plan could come to fruition, the knife was discovered in McCreary‘s mattress. As a result, McCreary was placed in a dungeon, where he flatly refused to cooperate with his captives. His condition only worsened. From there, he was sent east to Ft. Delaware before being sent to Morris Island, South Carolina, where he was held with other Confederate soldiers as "human shields" in front of Union artillery emplacements that were shelling the city of Charleston. These men became known as the “600 Immortals.“ Surviving, McCreary addressed crowds at the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, and went on to serve as a U.S. Senator and twice as Kentucky’s Governor (1875-79, 1912-16).
History, though, is not all that comes alive in the hills and hollows surrounding McCreary Fest. While in the past, each annual event had its own theme, in 2006, the McCreary Fest Board of Directors voted to make McCreary Fest the annual Mountain Arts Festival, ushering in dozens of regional artists, musicians, and crafters. The festival includes live regional music that will liven the soul, a parade to thrill the eyes, flavourful arts and crafts by local and regional artists, alluring aromas to excite the taste buds in the food court, a classic car cruise, exciting children's activities, and an art show to display the talent in the hills. Don’t miss participating in the poker run, the crowning of a queen at the annual Miss McCreary Fest pageant, a hotly contested mystery search challenge, an essay contest, a talent show, and a street concert all in the days and weeks leading up to the festival.
For a taste of what we have to offer, Y'all Come!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Downtown Whitley City (6-10PM)
Talent Show
Co-Hosts
John Alexander
Actor and radio personality John Alexander has spent more than a decade in the entertainment industry. He starred in "The Johnny Alexander Show" and appeared in the motion picture, Seabiscuit.
Shelley Gilreath
Model and former Miss Teen Kentucky, Shelley Gilreath is a published writer, who has been called "the voice of her generation." She is the inspiration behind the up-coming comic book character, "The Holy Enforcer," whose heroine in drawn in her image.
Miss McCreary Fest 2008 is NOW!!
MEET MISS MCCREARY FEST 2007
Applications and Entry Packets to compete for the 2008 Miss McCrearyFest crown are available at our official website www.mccrearyfest.com.
Click HERE to view a photo history of Miss McCreary Fest: titleholders from the beginning.
BOARD MEMBERS (on myspace)
Corinda "Rendy" Toy, Treasurer
Tina Owens
Marie Gilreath
Vist McCREARY FEST ONLINE
Where are we?
Online Now!
