artists

“Opry on the Square” New to 2016 Carrollton Pilgrimage & Pioneer Day Festival Activities.

CCDA2015 — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 02:15:22 +0000

Margaret Corder as Minnie Pearl

“Opry on the Square” is a new event for the 2016 Pioneer Day Festival. “Minnie Pearl” [Margaret Corder] will host the event.

Featured Opry Musicians

Robert Box

Robert Box – a 5-time Mississippi State Banjo Champion and an International Southern Gospel Instrumentalist of the Year

Donnie Buckner with the Buckner Family Bluegrass Band

Donnie Buckner – both a Mississippi State Fiddle Champion and a Banjo Champion as well as a Mid-South Banjo Champion.

Opry on the Square will begin at 11:00 am, following the presentation of the winners of the Miss Pioneer Day Festival Pageant.

Bring your lawn chairs to the west side of the Carroll County Courthouse in Carrollton to enjoy the wonderful music and fun. Carroll County talent includes Mike Hyde, Bennie Rigby, Jackie McIlwain, LaGatha Abbott, Terry Herbert, Alan Malone and the Cobbins Family.

Come early and shop at the many arts and craft booths, visit the Winterville Mound exhibit, and tour some of our historic homes and buildings.

Carrollton Historic Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival October 7-8, 2016

CCDA2015 — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 14:30:09 +0000

Mississippi has many beautiful scenes in its landscape but few have as much to offer as Carroll County and Carrollton, in particular. It is centrally located in the middle of the state and is easily. It is only a “stone’s throw” off Highway 82, one of the state’s major highways. As you enter the town of Carrollton, you are instantly transported into an earlier historical era as you view the homes, businesses and churches. This town has a long and interesting history and we would like to share with you.

One of the primary means of doing this is during the yearly Pilgrimage when homes and churches open their doors for a weekend in October. This year the Pilgrimage dates are October 7-8. Four of the churches will be open with a hostess to greet you as you tour our places of worship. Some of the churches began before the Civil War and minutes offer interesting bits of history. A stroll through the business district leads you to the Merrill Museum which contains a number of clues to the history of the town as well as the county.

Wayside

The “crown jewel” of Carrollton lies in its homes which span over a century of architectural styles. The owners have maintained them in top order and look forward to showing you their homes. This year there will be 5 homes open, three of which have never been open for the Pilgrimage before. In addition, Cotesworth, the home of Senator J. Z. George, will be open. Senator George is an author of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. On display in the home is the desk he used when writing this document.

On Saturday there will be vendors hawking their wares and selling food so you can maintain your energy to take it all in. Also there will be live entertainment throughout the day, our very own “Opry on the Square.” Now, what more could you ask for except to enjoy some of the nicest people in the state who will be glad to show you why we are proud of our hometown?

Comments provided by Barbara Rayburn, chairman of ticket sales. For more information about the Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival, visit our website – VisitCarrolltonMs.com or email us at CarrolltonMsTours@gmail.com.

Vaiden to Celebrate Its History October 8

CCDA2015 — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 01:08:15 +0000

To celebrate its heritage, the Town of Vaiden will host its annual Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 8, 2016. The Festival will open at 8 am and close at 5 pm. It will be filled with children’s activities, booths of arts and crafts, commercial items, and food. Entertainment will include a praise team, The Wilson Singers, The Delta Crossin’, Little Willie Farmer and his Blues Band and Ms Lannie McBride. You are invited to come join us in our celebration. For more information about the Festival, call Diann Ellis at 662-464-5266.

Organized in 1859 and incorporated a year later, Vaiden was named for Dr. C. M. Vaiden an early settler. In the 1837, Dr. Vaiden hired architect and master builder James Clark Harris to build Prairie Mont which closely resembled another of Harris’ masterpieces, Malmaison, the home of Greenwood LeFlore in northwestern Carroll County. Dr. Vaiden was buried at the Vaiden Cemetery with a beautiful monument made of Italy marble making the spot.

In the early days, Vaiden and the surrounding area grew rapidly, thanks to farming, transportation routes, and rail travel. The town became one of the wealthiest towns in Mississippi with its abundance of planters, lawyers, merchants and other business professionals.

Noah House – 1875

With the growth, the town developed and buildings, offices and homes were constructed. Because of the number of settlers traveling into town to gather supplies and take care of other business, the town adapted to accommodate the patrons. Livery stables and other necessities were provided throughout town to care for horses, buggies, wagons and carriages while their owners were in town.

Churches also played an important role in the development of the area. In 1840-41, the Baptist Church at Vaiden was built. In 1877-78, the Vaiden Presbyterian Church was built.

Shongolo Church, Vaiden, Mississippi

Both still exist with active congregations.

As the area grew, so did the need for education. Among the schools was Richland Academy, founded in 1836 by a Mr. Hughes, a graduate of a University in Ireland. The school offered elementary and classical education. James Z. George was one of the students. He would later buy a stage coach inn just north of Carrollton for his growing family and name it Cotesworth. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1881-1897. Known among his constituents as “the Great Commoner” George was influential in the creation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, and worked to aid education and civil service reform. J.Z. George’s statue stands in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., one of two representing Mississippi. George and a number of his family are buried at Evergreen Cemetery at North Carrollton, Mississippi.

Because of the vast size of Carroll County, the county was divided into two districts. Vaiden became the county seat for the second district in 1874. In 1898 the first telephone exchange was installed in Vaiden by the Cumberland Telephone Company. The next year, a furniture factory and brick factory were opened.

The old Courthouse at Vaiden, demolished after the making of Mississippi Burning in 1988, stood on the hillside where a children’s park is located today. The bell from that courthouse stands in front of the new Courthouse, located where a row of stores and businesses once stood. Shelving from some of those businesses can be seen in the Merrill Museum in Carrollton.

Vaiden Courthouse

Artists for A Taste of Soup and Art Exhibit

CCDA2015 — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:22:03 +0000

Tatted Bracelet available at A Taste of Soup and Art Exhibit

What do crocheted rag rugs, handmade scarves, tatted bracelets, mesh ribbon wreaths and hand thrown pottery have in common? Yes, they are all made by hand. But the more important thing you need to know is that they will all be exhibited at the February 13 A Taste of Soup and Art Exhibit at the Carrollton Community House. As part of the annual fundraiser for the Carrollton-North Carrollton Library, Cynthia Vlassic, Elizabeth Saunders, Margaret Howerton, Jackie Clay and Sharon Tollison will be there with items for view or for sale. The second purpose of A Taste of Soup and Art Exhibit is to showcase talented Carroll County residents. Tickets are still available at the Library or from Friends of the Library. Call the Library at 662-237-6268 or Pam Lee at 662-237-6910. Tickets are required and are $10.

Warm Up with Carroll County Libraries

CCDA2015 — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 02:07:32 +0000

Burrr! The weather is getting just right for chili and soups, paired with cornbread and crackers and finished off with something sweet. Then settle down with a good book and stay toasty. Ahh! The Friends of the Carroll County Libraries are getting ready to make that a reality.

The Friends of the Vaiden Library invite you to warm up at their annual chili lunch on Friday, January 22, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at the Library. Tickets are available at the Library for $8.00. Tickets are required. Raffle tickets are also being sold for some handmade items.

The Friends of the Carrollton-North Carrollton Library invite you to warm up at their annual soup tasting and art exhibit. Held at the Carrollton Community House on February 13, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, the Friends will be serving samples of six different soups: Broccoli and Wild Rice Soup, Buffalo Chicken Chowder, Creamy Potato Soup, Dill Pickle Soup, Vegetable Soup and Wild Rice and Sausage Soup. These six soups were selected at a taste test session held recently by members. The members’ favorite was Dill Pickle Soup. What will yours be? Buy your $10 ticket from any of the Friends or from the Library and bring your change to vote for your favorite soup. Carroll County artists will also be at the Community House to demonstrate some of their work. Tickets are required.

Reading is an important skill needed throughout life. It can also be a great relaxer or entertainment. Help the Carroll County Libraries provide more reading opportunities this year. If you can’t attend these events, make a donation.