(File photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Grayson Chamber of Commerce has begun planning for their 2026 Memory Days event. Director Mike Nelson said that the popular event, which showcases Grayson businesses with live music, vendors, and food trucks, has been going on every year for over half a century.
“Memory Days was put together by the Chamber of Commerce as a tribute to Memorial Day,” Nelson explained. “It started as just a weekend festival, and as it grew, we added on additional days leading up to Memorial Day. Traditionally we don’t have events actually on Memorial Day, though last year there was a car show on that day that we publicized.”
Nelson himself has been involved with Memory Days since he came on board at the chamber, which is about four years, he said. He works closely with the Memory Days Coordinator, Michelle Boggs, to help make the event a success, he said.
“She (Boggs) takes care of everything,” Nelson said, quick to give credit where credit is due. “And I sort of approve it through the chamber.”
“Memory Days is a way for the Chamber of Commerce and its members to honor those who have gone on,” Nelson said of the event. “The businesses back the events that happen, with a lot of the businesses actually putting on the events themselves. Everything from ice cream socials to offering cotton candy.”
Some people attending the event even dress in clothes from bygone days, honoring the memory of Grayson’s past and those who built the city.
Nelson said many of the businesses in Grayson get more involved in the event, with some businesses even moving some of their inventory outdoors in the style of a sidewalk market so that people can browse through the downtown area. This helps local residents enjoy what the city has to offer, as well as bringing others in from out of town.
“The City of Grayson has a lot to offer,” Nelson said. “And we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.”
The best way to keep up to date on what is being planned for Memory Days 2026 is to visit the event’s Facebook page or the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, Nelson said. Currently the event is in the advanced planning stage where they accept sponsors and vendors, and plan talent. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor should apply now, he said, and numerous levels of sponsorship are available.
“The events that we do, especially the entertainment we have each night, does cost money,” Nelson said. “So, to put on these things we reach out to our chamber members to help support them.”
But even if you aren’t a member of the Chamber of Commerce, you can still help sponsor the event, he said. The chamber accepts small donations for the event, but at certain levels of sponsorship the name of the donor is placed on a t-shirt or on banners.
“There is even what we call a corporate level sponsorship. That’s where you can basically sponsor an entire day of entertainment,” Nelson said.
“Without the sponsors helping us out, we couldn’t have the events we do,” Nelson added.
Sponsors help to get the entertainment that draws people to the event, he said. Nelson said that anyone interested in sponsoring Memory Days, or seeking more information about the event, can call him at the chamber office, or email him at graysonchamber41143@gmail.com. The website also has an electronic sponsor form available, which can be submitted through the webpage or sent to the email address if you prefer.
“We are looking for merchandise vendors,” Nelson said. “Everyone loves looking at handmade items. And we are also looking for food trucks that would like to participate.”
Vendors and food truck operators can contact the chamber and apply in the same way as potential sponsors.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
