FRI., OCT. 4 & SAT. OCT. 5, 2024

Carrollton’s Pilgrimage and Pioneer Days Festival Promises Live Music, Family Fun, Historic Interest, and More

Carroll County’s charming town of Carrollton invites all to its much-anticipated annual two-day event full of variety for all ages. Voted the 2024 People’s Choice Best Festival/Community Event, Carrollton’s Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival is slated for Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day.

The Carrollton Pilgrimage begins with ticket sales starting at 8:45 a.m. on Friday at Pilgrimage Headquarters in Town Hall (Ye Olde Town Water Dept.) at 701 Lexington Street. The event offers a rare opportunity to tour historic private homes, churches, and community buildings of various architectural styles. Included among this year’s sites are The Doll House, Lum Reek, Shadesrest, Masonic Lodge, Carrollton Baptist Church, Carrollton Methodist Church, Carrollton Presbyterian Church, Grace Episcopal Church, Merrill Museum, J. J. Gee & Sons Mercantile, and nearby Cotesworth.

On Saturday, October 5th, the Pioneer Days Festival kicks off at 9:00 a.m., and Pilgrimage tours continue. Music, food, sights, and sounds will go until 5:00 p.m. centered around the heart of Carrollton on the Courthouse grounds.

Carrollton’s Mayor Pam Lee invites visitors from near and far to attend. “This is a lively, wholesome, family event—a great time to enjoy fabulous live music, tour rarely-open historic properties, and stroll our historic streets with classic cars on display. More than fifty festival vendors and exhibitors will offer arts, crafts, exhibits, and fantastic food for sale. Come relax or play some old-fashioned games with friends and family.” said Mayor Lee. “Don’t forget to visit the Merrill Museum’s Carroll County Musicians exhibit featuring Mississippi John Hurt, Mack Allen Smith & The Flames, and so much more.” Lee adds, “We’re especially excited to welcome guest speaker Walt Grayson, and Under the Gun band with special guests.”

Admission to the festival Saturday is free. Pilgrimage tickets are $25 adults, $10 students up to age 18, and tickets are good for both Friday and Saturday. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and shade tents, if desired. Parking will be available on Washington Street and in front of the historic Carrollton Courthouse.

Carrollton, Mississippi, was established in 1834 and designated as the county seat. Boasting of the fact that it is restored and not renovated, Carrollton is one of the largest historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. The town of Carrollton is remarkably well-preserved and retains much of its 19th-century appearance, possessing one of the most significant and unaltered assemblages of pre-20th century architecture in central Mississippi. Pilgrimage and Pioneer Days Festival is the premier tourism event for Carroll County, with visitors coming from 18 different states across the country.

CARROLLTON’S PILGRIMAGE AND PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL

F.A.Q.s

➢ What is the Pilgrimage and Pioneer Days Festival?

Carroll County, Mississippi’s charming Town of Carrollton invites all to its much-anticipated annual two-day event full of variety for all ages. Voted the 2024 People’s Choice Best Festival/Community Event, Carrollton’s Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival is slated for Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. Come enjoy all of this and more:

- Tour Historic Properties
- Enjoy Live Music
- Shop Arts & Crafts
- Visit Merrill Museum
- Unique Exhibitions
- Old-Fashioned Games for All Ages
- Fabulous Food
- Classic Cars on Display
- Walt Grayson, Guest Speaker
- Music Emcee – Dewitt Cobbins

➢ What is the schedule?

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2024 – PILGRIMAGE BEGINS, 9A – 5P

8:45 a.m. ticket sales begin at Pilgrimage Headquarters in Town Hall (Ye Olde Town Water Dept.) at 701 Lexington Street. Tours are from 9 am until 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, ticket good for both days.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024 – PIONEER FESTIVAL & PILGRIMAGE CONTINUES, 9A – 5P

- - 9 am: Event opens
  - 9:30 am – Music: Under the Gun band
  - 10 am – Presentation of the Colors by the Boy Scout Troop #4039, Opening Ceremonies – Walt Grayson
  - 10:20 am – Music: Under the Gun band
  - 12 pm – Music: Bear Marsh Church Chorus
  - 12:30 pm until – Music: The Chad Barnes Band
  - 12:30 pm until – Music: Cobbins Family
  - 5 pm – Festival and Pilgrimage ends

➢ Where do the events take place?

The Carrollton Pilgrimage begins with ticket sales starting at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Pilgrimage Headquarters in Town Hall (Ye Olde Town Water Dept.) at 701 Lexington Street, Carrollton, MS. From there, tour location options are provided.

Carrollton’s Pioneer Days Festival will take place around the courthouse square in Carrollton, MS on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m until 5:00 p.m.

➢ How much does the event cost?

Admission to the Pioneer Festival Saturday, October 5, 2024, is free for all ages. Pilgrimage tours tickets are $25 adults, $10 students up to age 18, and tickets are good for both Friday and Saturday, October 4th & 5th.

➢ Are children welcome?

Absolutely! This is an event for the entire family. There will be live music, old-fashioned games, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, exhibitors, classic cars and more. Plenty of excitement for the entire family.

➢ Are chairs and tents welcome?

Yes. You are welcome to bring your tailgate chair and tent to enjoy the festivities and live music on the courthouse lawn. We ask that you only set up tents or chairs on Saturday.

➢ Are coolers welcome?

No coolers—and no alcohol—please. Our vendors sell water, lemonade, etc., so we ask that you leave your cooler at home.

➢ Where is parking available?

Parking will be available on Washington Street or in front of the Courthouse.

➢ Who do I contact for more information?

For more information, contact us:

Email: carrolltonMsTours@gmail.com

Phone: (662) 392-4810

In person: Pilgrimage Headquarters is in Town Hall (Ye Olde Town Water Dept.) at 701 Lexington Street, Carrollton, MS, 38917

➢ Where is lodging available? RV camping?

Nearby towns are just minutes away from Carrollton. There are hotels in Greenwood, Winona, and Grenada.

RV options:

- Vaiden Campground LLC, Contact: Whitney Arrington, (662) 417-3236, 375 Burkett Road, Vaiden, MS 39176
- Montgomery County Coliseum, Contact: Teresa, (662) 283-2009, 200 Recreation Park Drive, Winona, MS 38967

➢ What Pilgrimage tour location options will there be this year?

- Shadesrest
- The Doll House
- Lum Reek
- Cotesworth
- Carrollton Courthouse
- Carrollton Masonic Lodge
- Carrollton Town Hall
- Gee’s Mercantile
- Merrill Museum
- Peoples Bank & Trust Company
- Carrollton Community House
- Carrollton Baptist Church
- (Saturday only) Carrollton Methodist Church
- Carrollton Presbyterian Church
- Grace Episcopal Church

➢ What vendors will be there? Can I be one?

To date more than 60 vendors have signed up! The application can be found by clicking here.

Here are some of the vendors you can expect:

Food Vendors:

- CCM Fish Fry – Fried Catfish Plates
- Small Time Hot Dogs – Gary Howard
- Bread and Butter Shoppe – Valour Taylor
- D and P Concessions – David and Phyllis Elmore
- Citizens Militia
- Hollywood Sweet Shop – Sophia Cox
- Carrollton Lodge #36 – Breakfast & Lunch
- W C Foods/Street Cusine – Wayne Carpenter
- Pop’s Griddle- – Candy Bailey
- Backwood BBQ – Leon Hallmon

Arts & Craft Vendors, Exhibitors:

- Color Street Nails-Cyndi Pickett
- Things Celebrated–Anita Montgomery–handcrafted cards, journals, etc
- Sheri’s Jewels-Sheri Barrett – Paparazzi Jewelry
- B & L Wildlife – Laura Moore – toys, knives, etc.
- Extreme Jumpers—Josh Simmons–jumpers, kids’ toys, etc.
- Pro-Life Mississippi–Tammy Tillman–t-shirts and jewelry
- DMF Farms—Haley Story—horse rides
- Flatland Blue—Misty Davis—handmade jewelry and accessories
- Mediquik McCarley—information on medical services
- Untethered Printing Press–Tyra Lusk-tumblers, tshirts, mugs, etc
- MDCPS—Ebony Groves—-foster care and foster parenting information
- J. Z George Class of 1965 Reunion
- Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital—safety info, etc
- Crankheads Custom Lures—Samuel Marascalco–custom fishing lures, tshirts
- KTScrafts—Katie Slone—banks from old Post Office boxes, wooden items
- Sheila Blackwood—children’s play masks, finger puppets, key chains, hair ties
- McMedical Country Clinic—first aid
- Kathy Harris—hand painted turkey feathers, acorn nut people
- Bob Downs—handmade wood swings, chairs, benches, etc
- Michael H. Ball VFW Post #12191
- Betty Murphy—arts and crafts, permanent jewelry, tshirts, etc,
- Scott Petroleum—fish cookers, grills, etc.
- Bowlweevil Woodturning-Mark Smith-wooden bowls
- Paracord Creations—Brenda Garner—paracord collars, leashes, bracelets, etc
- JW Customs–Jay & Jamie Whitfield–duck calls, wood trays, etc.
- Lykan Creations–Ryan Vickers–3D printed art, signs, toys, earrings
- Ross Custom Calls–David & Tina Ross–game calls and laser art
- Sons of Confederate Veterans–Larry McCluney–ancestry research
- Marco’s Sister—Sherise Carr–novelty items, tshirts, wallets, etc.
- Eddie Carpenter—knives, displays, etc.
- Grady Black—honey
- The Silver Spoon–Kristi & Randy Blakely—silver ornaments, jewelry
- Susan Ricks—handmade bows, wreaths, door hangers
- Cub Scouts Pack 4039
- Corner Cottage Creations—Stephanie Molck
- Designs by Malinda – Malinda Hitt
- L & V Designs – Lora Evans
- J. Z. George Class of 2026 -Bake Sale
- Carrollton Baptist Church
- Antiquities Society – ornaments and notecards
- Cemetery Whispers – Education Exhibit – how to clean cemetery markers safely

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Any event like our Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival requires sponsors to make the event bigger and better for everyone. Thank these sponsors for their support.