2022 McCrearyFest kickoff is September 30; parade is October 1

By Eugenia Jones

eugenia@highland.net

It’s time to cook up a pot of chili, put on your dancing boots, and get those floats ready for this year’s annual Mc­CrearyFest Festival and Parade on Main Street in Whitley City. McCreary Coun­ty Tourism Director, Michelle Perry, an­nounced the McCrearyFest Scavenger Hunt begins on Monday, September 26 and ends on Friday, September 30 with daily clues announced on local radio sta­tion WHAY 98.3 and posted on the Mc­CrearyFest Parade and McCreary County Tourism Facebook pages.

The McCrearyFest kickoff event is Friday night, September 30, 2022 from 6:00-9:00 p.m., featuring a chili cook-off and line dancing on the street. There is no fee to enter the chili cook-off; howev­er, chefs must register by September 25. Chili needs to be dropped off for com­petition at 5:30 p.m. The winning chef receives a trophy and best chili bragging rights!

At the same time and location, The McCreary County Public Library will host Artisan night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This event features local artisans dem­onstrating their skills and talents. Some of the artisans will have their handiwork available for purchase.

Parade day is Saturday, October 1, 2022 with vendor set up in downtown Whitley City at 8:30 a.m. From 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. there will be ven­dors, a free petting zoo, free games, and dunking booth. The hula hoop contest and sack race (free to enter) are sched­uled for 2:00 p.m. This year’s McCrea­ryFest Parade (Fall into Autumn theme/ free entry) launches at 12:00 p.m. noon with live music afterwards. Vendor and parade applications are being accepted until September 25th at the McCreary County Tourism Office. Set up fees are required from vendors.

For more information about McCrea­ryFest, contact McCreary County Tour­ism Director Michelle Perry at 376- 3008.