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Festival opening ceremony in Pikeville highlights Shriners fundraising and honors founders
Summary
Organizers opened the 49th Hillbilly Days festival in Pikeville with prayers, anthems, honors for founders, and reports that the event has raised millions for Shriners hospitals since 1970; speakers also shared patient stories and announced local fundraising events.
Jimmy Kinney opened the 49th Hillbilly Days festival in Pikeville on April 1 with remarks honoring the event's founders and calling the celebration a longstanding tradition that benefits Shriners hospitals. Eddie Overstreet led an invocation and Mr. Ferguson performed the national anthem before the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Kinney recounted the festival's origins, describing how founders Harold "Dirty Ears" Stratton and Grady Kinney persuaded local officials to approve the first parade, which was held on April Fools' Day and coincided with a 1977 flood. On behalf of the Pike County Fiscal Court, organizers presented a plaque honoring Stratton to his grandson, Howard, and the city presented a commemorative token.
Mayor Jimmy Cantrell of Pikeville thanked volunteers and organizers, and emphasized that proceeds support Shriners Children's Hospital. Organizers introduced Hillbilly officers and the International Hillbilly Queen, Linda Resudo, and noted that Imperial US Ambassador Bruce Mulligan was undergoing emergency surgery.
Fundraising totals were presented during the ceremony. The Imperial Keeper of the Cob said the group raised $352,000 in the past year and reported a cumulative $14,652,000 donated to hospitals and transportation funds since 1970. Local organizers also noted a trivia fundraiser that raised $13,550 last year and a separate $2,500 donation each to Shriner's Ohio and Shriner's Lexington from Hillbilly Clan 1 Lynchburg.
Representatives from Shriner's Children's Lexington and Shriner's Children's Ohio described services they provide'orthopedic care and burn/cleft services, respectively'and shared patient stories illustrating the hospitals'work. The ceremony included presentations of keys to the city and county and a moment of silence for recently deceased members. Larry Webster declared the festival officially open.
The event was largely ceremonial and focused on fundraising, recognition, and community engagement rather than any governmental or policy decisions. Next steps noted by organizers included local fundraising events (trivia at the distillery the following day) and ongoing donation efforts.
