Hillbilly Days

View on map
UniquePikeville
Dates15–17 April 2027Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesHillbilly Days began as a straightforward
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Hillbilly Days in Pikeville

Hillbilly Days is a three-day spring festival in downtown Pikeville, Kentucky, founded in 1977 by local Shriners as a fundraiser for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington. It is the largest festival in eastern Kentucky, drawing over 125,000 visitors for its parade, music, and Appalachian-themed events.

In 1977, two members of the Shriners fraternal organization in Pikeville, Kentucky, known to their friends as Shady Grady Kinney and Dirty Ears Howard Stratton, came up with a plan to raise money for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington: dress up in exaggerated hillbilly costumes, stage a comedic parade through downtown Pikeville, and ask the crowd to donate.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Hillbilly Days began as a straightforward charity fundraiser and has grown into the largest festival in eastern Kentucky and the second largest in the state, all while keeping its original Shriners Hospital fundraising mission at the center

02

The mystery stays covered

Founded in 1977 by two Shriners known by their nicknames, Grady Kinney and Howard Stratton, the festival channels every dollar raised toward the Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington, giving the event a genuine charitable purpose behind its costumed, comedic Appalachian theme

03

The city starts moving

More than 125,000 people travel to Pikeville each year for a lineup that spans a parade, live music, a facial hair contest, a 5K run, a quilt show, and a car show

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's core tradition is its comedic hillbilly-costumed Shriners parade

Water and renewal

Living ritual

where members dress in exaggerated backwoods Appalachian garb

The sacred route

Living ritual

a tradition rooted in the event's founding purpose as good-natured fundraising theater rather than a mocking stereotype

The local code

Living ritual

with all proceeds directed to the Shriners Hospital for Children

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The annual facial hair contest and quilt show carry forward Appalachian craft and folk-culture traditions specific to the region

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

15–17 April 2027

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual outdoor festival attire. Mid-April in the mountains of eastern Kentucky can be cool, especially in the evenings, so a jacket alongside daytime layers is worth packing.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.48 N, 82.52 WOpen in Google Maps

Pikeville, KY

Nearest airportHTS — Tri-State Airport / Milton J. Ferguson Field
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Pikeville via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Pikeville, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor festival attire. Mid-April in the mountains of eastern Kentucky can be cool, especially in the evenings, so a jacket alongside daytime layers is worth packing.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hillbilly Days?

Hillbilly Days is listed for 15–17 April 2027. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hillbilly Days take place?

The festival is listed in Pikeville, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Pikeville, KY

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhillbillydays.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates15–17 April 2027
Source statusOfficial source linked
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