Heritage Festival Draws Big Crowd to Downtown

HUNTINGDON (September 27) — Huntingdon Heritage Festival 2025 was a great success with pop-up vendors around the Court Square, story telling in the basement of The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center, and music on the main stage by Johnny Mac, Snowbird Street Band, and the Kimberlie Helton Band.

The day kicked off at 8 a.m. at City Hall’s parking lot with the Heritage Hustle, a 5K with proceeds going to St. Jude. Starting at 10 a.m., downtown streets filled with artisan vendors, delicious food and activities for all ages, celebrating the town’s proud history and vibrant community. The Huntingdon Middle School Community Network hosted a cake walk, a bake sale and a dunking booth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the police station parking lot.

At 1 p.m., a special ceremony honoring this year’s Outstanding Citizen, Jimmy Crossett, and the 2025 Pioneer Family, the Carter Family, is on Carroll Bank & Trust’s main stage. From there the festival flowed with music from an outstanding lineup including Snowbird Street Band, Johnny Mac, the Kimberlie Helton Band and headliner Taylor Hicks—winner of American Idol Season 5—who took the stage at 7 p.m. and met fans for autographs and photos.

There were a variety of activities throughout the day, including Huntingdon Historical Museum tours, ISTEA train rides, a petting zoo with pony rides and the “Small Town Cruisers” car show stretching along West Main Street. The Carroll Arts Storytelling Series offers engaging tales in The Dixie’s lower level, while face painting added color and excitement for younger visitors. Mudslingers Pottery Studio opened its doors for studio walkthroughs and free, hands-on pottery activities. At 1 p.m., The Dixie Carter PAC hosted a special artist reception showcasing the work of students from the ninth annual summer camp.

Pioneer Family — The Carters
Charlie Luther Carter was born in Huntingdon on February 22, 1891, to John Morgan and Lydia Kerr Carter. Lillie Mae Carter was born in Gallipolis, Ohio on June 15, 1892. They were married in Huntingdon, Tennessee on July 19, 1908, and lived in what is known to many as Bethel Community, also known as “Carter Town”. To this union, there were born twelve children with nine raised to adulthood: Howard Carter, Clara Foster, Clarence Carter, Gerald Carter, Edith Mason, John Carter, Harold Carter, Giles Carter and Betty Meggs. Mr. Charlie Carter ran a sawmill, was a farmer, and ran a general store known as Union General Store. He and Lillie Mae Carter’s descendants served their community through various occupations and careers such as a cotton gin, a sawmill, buying and selling livestock, serving as ministers and pastors to local churches, U.S. Postal Service, bankers, funeral home directors, medical doctor, nurses, administrators and educators, school bus drivers, beautician/hair stylist, radio disc jockey, and airline pilot. Businesses operated by the Carter family descendants that many would recognize include but are not limited to Carter Brothers Store, Carter’s Welding, Dilday-Carter Funeral Home, Carter Auto Parts, Pat’s Monogram, Jeff’s Lawnmower Service, Robin Carter Buttrey’s Photography, Lawrence Designs and Cupkates. The Carter family has also proudly served our country in various branches of military service through the years. In past years and currently, many descendants have served on our local Town Council, School Board, Industrial Board, Planning Commission, and Hospital Board.

Accepting the award were Sylvia Cary, Dr. Lee Carter, and Jeff Carter, all descendants.

They told of the family’s history, and the businesses in and around Huntingdon that the family operated, plus some family stories on the family.

The Carter family gathered en masse in front of the main stage for a photograph.

Outstanding Citizen of the Year — Jimmy Crossett
Jimmy Crossett is known throughout Huntingdon for his volunteer spirit. During the 1 p.m. announcement of Pioneer Family and Outstanding Citizen, Crossett was honored for his dedicated service. Huntingdon Councilwoman Lori Dillahunty introduced Crossett. Dillahunty worked with Crossett on the construction of the Carroll County Inclusion Park. He was selected as the Outstanding Citizen during the annual Huntingdon Heritage Festival.

A 1975 graduate of Huntingdon High School, Jimmy dedicated 34 years to Norandal, retiring in 2020 as Engineering and Maintenance manager.

Jimmy’s heart for service is seen throughout the community. With the Blood, Sweat and Gears bicycle club, he and a few friends became known for creating what many still call the best corndogs in town. First served at Relay for Life to raise funds for those battling cancer, their famous corndogs continue to appear at fundraisers across the community, supporting numerous organizations and neighbors in need.

Jimmy has also served as a deacon and Facilities Committee member at First Baptist Church, and continues to coordinate Operation Christmas Child as a Drop-Off Coordinator and works with Baptist Men Builders to construct wheelchair ramps for those with disabilities.

In 2022, Jimmy joined the Carroll County Inclusion Park Board, where he was selected as site manager. He worked closely with playground equipment installers, oversaw every detail of the project, and contributed countless hours of skilled labor. His expertise saved the project significant costs and ensured that every part of the park was built with care. Thanks to Jimmy’s leadership and refusal to let obstacles stand in the way, the Inclusion Park now stands as a lasting legacy of what the community can accomplish together.

Most recently, Jimmy mentored local students through the JAG and Mustang Mentors program while helping install the Storybook Trail at the Kelley Sports Complex, guiding the next generation as they worked to improve their community.

Jimmy’s humility, faith, and commitment to others make him an outstanding example of citizenship, and we are proud to honor him as Huntingdon’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

Crossett accepted the award on the main stage. He was greatly humbled by the award.

See www.mckenziebanner.com for more photos.