EVENT: CARROLLTON’S PILGRIMAGE & PIONEER DAY FESTIVAL 2025

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

• Tour Historic Churches
• Enjoy Live Music
• Shop Arts & Crafts
• Visit Merrill Museum
• Unique Exhibitions
• Games for All Ages
• Fabulous Food

Experience history, music, and Southern tradition at the annual Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival, happening October 3–4, 2025, in historic downtown Carrollton, Mississippi in Carroll County.

PILGRIMAGE

Friday and Saturday, October 3-4, 2 PM

This year’s Pilgrimage will feature guided tours of three historic churches—

• Helm CME Chapel
• Grace Episcopal Church
• Carrollton Presbyterian Church

• A history of the church shared by a member
• Architectural insights from Jennifer Baughn (MS Department of Archives & History)
• Live music by Dr. Thomas Rowell (University of South Alabama)

Tour Schedule:
• Friday, October 3 – 2:00 PM, meet at Carrollton Town Hall
• Saturday, October 4 – 2:00 PM, meet at Carrollton Community House

Pilgrimage sites also include the Masonic Lodge, Merrill Museum, J.J. Gee & Sons Mercantile, and Carrollton Town Hall (Pilgrimage Headquarters).

Tickets: $25 adults | $10 students (good for both days), available at Town Hall.

Tour Carrollton with Walt Grayson on the FREE “Walking Tour of Carrollton” App! Get an enhanced Pilgrimage experience and more information about sites not open for Pilgrimage tours this year! CLICK HERE

• Cotesworth Culture & Heritage Center will be OPEN for guided tours from 10 AM-3 PM, Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10/person at door.

PIONEER DAY FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 4th,  9 AM–3 PM

On Saturday, enjoy a full day of family-friendly fun on the square during the Pioneer Day Festival, featuring:
• Live music throughout the day

 • Food vendors

• Arts & Crafts

• Educational exhibits

The Pioneer Day Festival will kick off Saturday morning with Breakfast with the Masons at Carrollton Lodge No. 36, one of Mississippi’s oldest continuously active Masonic lodges. Chartered in 1838, the lodge has met in its current 1899 building for over a century, making it the second-oldest lodge hall in the state still in continuous use. A pancake breakfast will be served to the public for just $5 per person, with lunch also available later in the day. The lodge will be open for tours beginning at 9 a.m.

Live Music on the Square
You will also be able to enjoy a full morning of live music in front of the Carroll County Courthouse during the Pioneer Day Festival. Emceed by Dewitt Cobbins, the 2025 music lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. with a performance by Under the Gun Reviewed (Ken Spencer, Jackie McIlwain, Robert Ray, and Terry Herbert) with Michael Bole on drums and special guest Brent Gentry. Next up is the Presentation of the Colors by Boy Scout Troop #4039 and a special welcome message. Local favorites The Cobbins Brothers will also take the stage and the music continues through 1:00 pm.

At 1:15 PM, visitors can enjoy a Virginia Reel Dancing demonstration—an entertaining nod to traditional community dance.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged and appreciated!

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs or tents for shade.

While you’re downtown, stop by the Merrill Museum to experience the Carroll County Musicians Exhibit, featuring Mississippi John Hurt and Mack Allen Smith & The Flames.

MORE THAN 80 VENDORS will be on site with food, arts, and crafts, and exhibits!

*VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED*

Mail completed vendor forms and checks to:

• Carroll Society for the Preservation of Antiquities
  
• Attn: Cathy Whitfield
• PO Box 541, Carrollton, MS 38917-0541
• Email: carrolltonmspioneerday@gmail.com
• Phone: (662) 392-6194