The Clay County Museum Festival will take place this weekend to raise funds for the preservation of local history and the daily operations of the museum.
Beverly Hollifield is the President of the Board of Directors and Director of the Museum. Hollifield said the event serves as a primary fundraiser to cover utility costs such as water, lights, and telecommunications.
“It’s just a family event, bringing everyone in to, it’s in support of our local museum, which we have been able to do a lot of different things with recently,” Hollifield said. “And what this does, the money or the funds that are secured from this festival go toward the operations of the museum.”
Hollifield said the museum is managed entirely by a staff of volunteers dedicated to protecting the heritage of the community.
Hollifield said the festival features a car show at the old high school from that typically draws a large number of vehicles. Hollifield said activities around the square begin at 9 a.m. and include a cakewalk featuring prizes such as sweets, gift cards, and day-long pontoon boat rentals.
“The thing about it with history is it shares with people and it lets them know you may live in rural America, but you can become the Secretary of State of the United States, or you can become a senator or a governor,” Hollifield said. “You know, you’re not limited by rural America. You can go on and be just anything that your heart dreams to if you have the determination to go with it.”
Hollifield said the museum is currently working to restore the first law office of Cordell Hull, who attended school and lived in Clay County during his youth. Hollifield said the festival also includes historical demonstrations, such as traditional clothes washing and a presentation by expert Darren Shell regarding the history of Willow Grove.
“I think it helps us by preserving the history and some of the things that have happened here,” Hollifield said. “I think it gives us the community an opportunity to learn from our past and to hopefully build or in some way make a better and brighter future ahead of us.”
Hollifield said the event includes a duck race where 400 ducks are released into the river for a chance to win a $1,000 prize. Hollifield said the annual cow patty contest offers a $500 prize to the ticket holder whose designated spot is chosen by the cow.
“It’s an event that is meant for Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma and the kids, too,” Hollifield said. “The car show is incredible and it gives people an opportunity to look at some of the muscle cars and just some of the old cars and just to enjoy the day before they really get back into the real schedule of being back in school.”
