User:HandThatFeeds/Hillbilly Days

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Hillbilly Days is an annual festival that takes place in Pikeville, Kentucky.

[edit] History

Hillbilly days was "the brainchild of “Dirty Ear” Howard Stratton and “Shady” Grady Kinney."[1] Begun in 1977, the festival was envisioned as a celebration of Appalachian life and an opportunity for the Shriners Hospitals for Children to raise money for the Lexington Shriners’ Hospital and Cincinnati Burn Center for Children.[2] The festival has grown to become a major fund-raiser in eastern Kentucky, with sponsors such as Coca-Cola donating to charity as part of the ceremonies,[3] as well as becoming a stumping-ground for local politicians.[4] More than 100,000 people were in attendance for the 2007 festival.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Phillips, Mike (2888-04-16). Ain’t that a kick in the teeth? (English). Appalachian News-Express. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  2. ^ Stratton, Howard (2001-04-19). Stratton details the founding of festival (English). Appalachian News-Express. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  3. ^ Paynter, Teddy (2008-04-11). City preps for Hillbilly Heaven: Coca-Cola starts countdown to annual hoedown with check presentation (English). Pikeville Medical Leader. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  4. ^ Crowley, Patrick (2008-04-18). Senate candidates hitting Hillbilly Days (English). nky.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  5. ^ Chamber gears up for Hillbilly Days. Pikeville Medical Leader (2008-04-04). Retrieved on 2008-05-20.

[edit] External links

Official Hillbilly Days website