By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The work of Memory Days gets started long before the weekend of Grayson’s landmark festival; and, in some cases, even the events start early.
“The Memory Days Pageant will actually be a week before Memory Days on May 17,” Event Coordinator Michelle Boggs explained. “And the cheerleaders will be in charge of that, so you can go to the Chamber of Commerce page to get their contact information.”
“Then Memory Days will be starting on Thursday, May 22, at 6pm and will end Sunday with our RudyFest Bluegrass (show),” Boggs said. “On Friday we will be having a Battle of the Bands, and whoever wins that will play Saturday night before Dustin Burchett.”
Boggs said that there will be a lot of live music this year, and encourages bands to sign up to enter the Battle of the Bands competition, but said there will also be many established bands playing such as crowd favorite Hammertowne.
But it isn’t only about the music, she said. There will also be a lot of local and regional vendors, food trucks, and tons of activities for the kids. Boggs said the event will be even more of what patrons have enjoyed in previous years.
Memory Days is currently accepting corporate and private sponsors for the event, and Boggs said that anyone sponsoring $1,000 and up will ‘go up on the stage.’
“We have a construction contractor who is building a wall for sponsors,” Boggs explained. “And we want to recognize everyone who supports us.”
The Memory Days Parade is scheduled for Saturday at 1 pm, and applications to participate in that are open now. Boggs said there are a lot of other things going on at Memory Days for people to enjoy as well. The schedule (so far) is available on the chamber website, and it will be updated regularly, she said.
The Grayson Memory Days Pageant will be held at the East Carter High School Gymnasium on May 17. Doors will be open at 5pm, and the contact for that event is Heather Goodman. She can be reached at 606-316-9599 for registration.
At 2:30 pm Sunday, May 19, the Quilts of Valor Presentation will be at First Church of Christ located at 287 Pomeroy Street in Grayson.
The Thursday, May 22, schedule is packed, beginning with The Golden Age Gala at 4-Ever After Weddings & Events located at 238 Cabin Creek Road in Grayson which runs from 11am until 1 pm. At 1:30 pm there will be the Grayson Memory Days “A Walk Down Memory Lane” window judging. Then at 4 pm food vendors and merchants open in the Blue Goose Building and along Pomeroy Street. Opening Ceremonies start at 5 pm, followed by performances by Centerstage Studios in front of the Go Radio Stage, and topped off by City Heat.
Friday, May 23, kicks off with merchants and food vendors opening up at 4 pm at The Blue Goose Building and at various locations along Pomeroy Street. 5:30 pm is the Dance with Hope Studios performance in front of the Go Radio Stage, and at 6:30 pm the 2025 Battle of the Bands tunes up.
Saturday, May 24, is no slouch in entertainment either, with the Memory Days Car Show presented by the Carter County Cruisers from 9am to 4 pm at Prichard Elementary School. For the car show, contact John Bailey at 606-315-0454. Merchant & Food Vendors also open at 9 am at The Blue Goose Building and along Pomeroy Street. At 10 am the 24th Annual All Creatures Veterinary Care “Dog Jog”, will be at the Gazebo on Main Street. The entry fee is $20, and to register call 606-474-5146. At 11:30 am Batman (Heroes for Hire) will speak to the kids in front of the Gazebo, and the Parade Lineup begins at Michelle Wilhoit State Farm office at 12:00 pm at 603 West Main Street, Grayson. Boggs said that the parade registration begins May 1, 2025. And the parade itself, themed “Walk Down Memory Lane” will begin at 1 pm. The parade is sponsored by the Grayson Chamber of Commerce, and this year the Grand Marshall is Becky Walker. Then immediately following the parade, the Citizen’s Veterans Association will present a Memorial Ceremony at Veterans Park. Grayson’s Got Talent will hit the Go Radio Stage at 5 pm.
Saturday Night’s Entertainment is brought to you by Grayson Tourism & Business Cultivation Foundation, starting with the winner of the 2025 Memory Days Battle of the Bands at 7pm. Larry Pancake takes the stage at 7:30, and then at 8:30 pm Dustin Burchett & Kentucky Clear top off the day’s entertainment.
On Sunday, May 25, at 4 pm The Mike Phillips Memorial Bluegrass Show is brought to you by Members Choice Credit Union, Smithfield Foods & Commercial Bank of Grayson and welcomed by RudyFest. Boggs said you might not be able to see and do everything, but that it will be fun to try.
