Oak Ridge Boys Headline Huntingdon Heritage Festival

It is time once again to celebrate Huntingdon Heritage Day Festival with the Town of Huntingdon. On Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., all are invited to Huntingdon’s historic Court Square to join this free all-day special event honoring the rich history of Carroll County and its county seat, Huntingdon.

This year marks the 30th annual Heritage Day and its longstanding tradition, and the festival’s schedule promises to deliver fun and entertainment. Festival-goers can expect to enjoy a cruise-in, inflatables, ISTEA train rides, Carroll Arts Storytelling, face painting and mudslinger’s pottery, pony rides, petting zoo, and vendor booths for jewelry, clothing, crafts, food, snow cones, and ice cream, along with music and entertainment acts on two stages.

The Oak Ridge Boys have one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of Country hits and a Number One Pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring four decades of charted singles, and 50 years of tradition, to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. And each remains as enthusiastic about the process as they have ever been.

“When I go on stage, I get the same feeling I had the first time I sang with The Oak Ridge Boys,” says lead singer Duane Allen. “This is the only job I’ve ever wanted to have.”

“Like everyone else in the group,” adds bass singer extraordinaire, Richard Sterban, “I was a fan of the Oaks before I became a member. I’m still a fan of the group today. Being in The Oak Ridge Boys is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”

The two, along with tenor Joe Bonsall and baritone William Lee Golden, comprise one of Country’s truly legendary acts. Their string of hits includes the Country-Pop chart-topper Elvira, as well as Bobbie Sue, Dream On, Thank God For Kids, American Made, I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes, Fancy Free, Gonna Take A Lot Of River and many others. In 2009, they covered a White Stripes song, receiving accolades from Rock reviewers. In 2011, they rerecorded a thirtieth anniversary version of Elvira for a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store project.

The group has scored 12 gold, three platinum, and one double platinum album—plus one double platinum single—and had more than a dozen national Number One singles and over 30 Top Ten hits.

Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m.

Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award — Marge Tucker.

Pioneer Family Award — Billy Dillahunty Family.

The children’s stage, sponsored by the Huntingdon Animal Clinic, will feature family entertainment from:

11 a.m. — Disney Dance Party.

11:30 a.m. — Animal Exhibit from Paris State Landing Park.

12 p.m. — Animal Exhibit from Paris State Landing Park.

12:30 p.m. — Magic by Ray Moore.

1 p.m. — Disney Dance Party.

1:30 p.m. — Carroll County Library Story Time.

The Carroll Bank & Trust Bandstand Stage will host a variety of live music acts from 11:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Alyssa Scott and Ian Bennett — 11:15 a.m.-Noon.

24 Seven Band — 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Oak Ridge Boys — 2-3:30 p.m.

As part of the Huntingdon Heritage Festival, Carroll Arts, Inc. is hosting its annual Storytelling at the municipal building to the right of the Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center in Huntingdon.

A diverse group of storytellers are scheduled to entertain from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds during the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

This storytelling has been an annual event for Carroll Arts providing audiences examples of this ancient artform which has become less well-known in our area in recent years.

The schedule of storytellers is listed for the convenience of those who cannot attend the entire program. However, those who can are encouraged to attend the entire time to hear the diverse stories from your neighbors.

Storytellers include: Randy McCadams at 11 a.m., Rob Harris at 11:15 a.m., Walter Butler at 11:30 a.m., Joel Washburn at 11:45 a.m., Chuck Hutcheson at noon, Wilma Pearson at 12:15 p.m., Mory Anderson at 12:30 p.m. and Glynda Rich at 12:45 p.m.