By McClain Dyer
Grayson Memory Days Committee
Grayson Memory Days is right around the corner! The committee and I are so excited to share with you all the items we have on this year’s schedule. I would like to give thanks to all our sponsors and committee members who have put in lots of demanding work to make this event possible. And the committee would like to thank our chairperson, Michelle Boggs. Grayson Memory Days could not have been planned without Michelle, she is very resolute and enthusiastic about this event and the committee, and our sponsors are incredibly grateful for her hard work.
Grayson Memory Days events start on Saturday May 17 at 5 pm with the Annual Miss Memory Days Pageant in the East Carter High School Gymnasium. This event is brought to you by the East Carter High School Cheerleaders. Contact East Carter High School to receive signup sheets. Also starting on that Saturday is the Memory Days Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Walking on Sunshine and Bit o’ Times Treasures on Main Street. They have lots of local business involvement and prizes, so make sure to add this to your must dos! For more information contact Pamela Howard at Walking on Sunshine in Grayson. Bit O’ Times Treasures is also accepting items to be displayed during the week of Memory Days. If you would like to display old photos, veterans’ memorabilia, or brochures for your organization or program also contact Pam Howard.
On the following day, Sunday, May 18, at 2:30 pm, the Quilts of Valor will be doing their annual presentation at First Church of Christ.
For the official start of Memory Days on Thursday, May 22 , First Light Home Care will be putting on the first Golden Age Gala at 4Ever After Events from 11 am – 1:30 pm. This will be a gala for senior citizens in Grayson. Come on out in your Sunday best and dance!
Window judging by the Homemakers will begin at 1:30 on Thursday. Our Vendor Market and Food Squares will be open throughout the day with official openings by 4 pm. The Carter County Poetry Society will be cohosting a Poetry Slam with Holler down the Holler at 6 pm at the Grayson Gallery. Also at 6 on Thursday the Opening Ceremonies will begin. Opening Ceremonies this year will be featuring the East and West Carter Bands, as well as performances by Avery Hall and Emily Wolfe (Stephens), guest speakers Senator Robin Webb, and Mayor Troy Combs. Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies, Dance with Hope will be performing. Ending the night with City Heat at the Go Radio stage!
On Friday May 23rd the Friends of the Library will be having the annual Booksale, for more information you can contact Diane Wiengert at (606)316-9705. The Duane Suttles Memorial Day Barbecue at the Grayson Fire Department will be taking place from 4 pm until it’s gone. This event is brought to you by the First National Bank of Grayson. Food is at no charge, but donations are encouraged. The Grayson Gallery and Art Center will be putting on their monthly show at 6:00 pm featuring student art pieces from East Carter High School. Also, at 6 pm Center Stage Studio will be performing on the Go Radio Stage.
Immediately following Center Stage Studio at 7 pm Grayson Memory Days will be having a Battle of the Band’s competition. Registration is open now on the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce Website under the Memory Days Hub. The winner of the competition will be awarded the opening spot on Saturday!
Saturday the 24th is jam packed with lots of events and fun! Starting the day at 6:30 am with the 5K Run and Walk sponsored by the East Carter High School Football Team. Registration is $20 and to ensure a t-shirt registration must be completed by May 10.
Contact Kaylee Archey at (606) 694-1971 for more information. At 10 am the Annual Dog Jog brought to you by All Creature Veterinary Care will be taking place. The Memory Days Car Show brought to you by the Carter County Cruisers in the Prichard Elementary School parking lot starts at 9 am. Heroes for Higher’s Batman will be meeting kids from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Gazebo in the Veterans Park. The gallery will be having the Gallery Artis Market Sale from 10 am – 2 pm also on Saturday.
The Annual Memory Days Parade will begin at 1 pm. Lineup will begin at 11 am. If traveling with a large float or trailer, please take State Road 1947 all the way out to the US 60 intersection and travel up Main Street to avid congestion on Grayson side streets.
Registration for the parade begins on May 1 and will be done on the chamber website and Facebook page. The parade will be led by our Grand Marshall Becky Walker.
After the parade, the Veterans Association will be having a memorial service in the Veterans’ Park. All are invited to come and honor the memory of our local veterans. The Memory Days Committee with The UK Extension office have partnered to create student art contest. Immediately after the parade on the Go Radio Stage the winners of the contest will be announced. Make sure to walk around town to see all the amazing pieces students have submitted. That evening the Winner of the Battle of the bands will take the stage as our opening act, then Grayson City Councilman Dustin Burchett and Kentucky Clear will be our headlining act.
On Sunday May 25th the Mike Phillips Memorial Bluegrass show, brought to you by the Commercial Bank of Grayson, Smithfield, Members Choice Credit Union, along with Rudy Fest and WUGO Go Radio, begins at 4 pm. The performers include Adalyn Ramey, Dreydon Gordon and Friends, Hammertowne and the Lonesome River Band.
With all these exciting events taking place, its sure to be one of the best years yet! The committee and the Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following groups and organizations for their support and help with bringing this event about: The Grayson Tourism Commission, City of Grayson Police Department, Fire Department, Street Department, and Emergency Management, Main Street Businesses, and The UK Extension Office, as well as all our sponsors.
