In some areas of the country, people look forward to the changing colors of fall leaves on the tree. While the trees in Henry County are certainly beautiful in the fall, our most highly anticipated color change occurs in summer, when the city of Clinton paints itself red and blue for the annual festival of Olde Glory Days.
Typically taking place from the last Thursday of June to the following Sunday, Olde Glory Days sweeps across Clinton–the Downtown Historic Clinton Square in particular–bringing in visitors from all parts of Henry County. This year marks the 30th Olde Glory Days festival since its inception in 1994. This year’s festival features many beloved traditions that attendees have come to anticipate, as well as a mix of novel attractions to enjoy. One marked difference this year is the addition of new Olde Glory Days banner flags, whose placement on local light poles is one of the first signs of true summer in Clinton. The new flags retain the names of sponsors on the bottom, and many display images of KaBoom, the relatively new cartoon firework mascot added in 2019.
Once notable change this year is that the first of the Olde Glory Days festivities will be held slightly earlier than in previous years, kicking off with a Veterans Dinner at the Clinton Elks lodge on Tuesday, June 27th. The OGD planning committee, consisting of Craig Thompson, Dan Wallace, Dave Garnett, and Tim Glasscock, in close association with David Lee and Joyce Carr from the Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement:
“Without our Veterans, the music we listen to…the rides the kids love…the food we eat…the parade we all enjoy…all of this during Olde Glory Days each year, probably wouldn’t exist. That’s why the Olde Glory Days Committee would love to say, “Thank You!” to our veterans and their guests during this year’s celebration. A Veteran’s Dinner will be taking place on Tuesday, June 27th from 4:30 until 6:30pm. It’s a come and go activity to help kick off Olde Glory Days 2023. This dinner will be at the Elks Lodge Banquet Room which is on the north side of the Clinton Square. This dinner is free for all of our American heroes, so you and guest just show up that evening for a great meal served by some great people…The Clinton Elks Lodge!”
Thursday evening will see the kickoff of activities open to the general public: the carnival will open from 6-10 PM (remember to buy your armbands at the Chamber Depot before June 29th to save $5!), with the Toddler Tent (featuring a bounce house this year) open from 6-8. Kids of all ages can enjoy entertaining and educational performances from Circus Science Spectacular at 6, the Fishin’ Magicians at 6:45, and The Birdman & Co. at 7:30. The Bubbler will awe and amaze at 8:00 on the Courthouse Lawn. Grown-ups of all ages over 21 can visit the Clinton Police Officers Association Beer Garden from 5-11. The fiercely contended Office Olympics will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Courthouse parking lot.
Friday’s activities branch off from the main hub on the Square, with Kayak Races held at 10:00 in the Artesian Pool and the Sunrise Optimist FireQuacker 500 Race (“just a buck a duck!”) quacking on at 11:00 in Optimist Park on Franklin St. From 5:30-7:30, visitors can walk through the restored Historical DX Gas Station at 3rd & Green St.
Back at the Square, the Henry County Museum will offer free admission from 10-4, with an Art Show in the DeLozier Building from 10-6. The carnival returns from 12:00-4:00 and 6:00-10:00, as does the Toddler Tent from 12-5, with two more shows from Circus Science Spectacular and three additional performances each from the Fishin’ Magicians and The Birdman & Co. The children’s Pedal Pull will begin at 4:00 following open registration at 3:00. This year’s Golf Ball Drop has moved from its previous location due to construction of the Henry County Health Center’s new building, and will now take place at the Chamber of Commerce Depot. There will be musical performances throughout the day by the TLC Dulcimers, Jake Gill, and The Kay Brothers, and the Clinton Police Officers Association will open up the Beer Garden from 11Am to Midnight.
Saturday morning, you can eat a nice big pancake breakfast at the Clinton Fire Department at 7:00, then dash over to the OGD Patriotic 5K/Fun Run at 7:30 AM–or maybe save the pancakes for after; the firefighters are serving until 9:30. At 10:00, the David Mills Grand Parade will march through town for the delight of all, led by this year’s Grand Marshall Vicki Moreland. The carnival returns from 12-4 and 6-10, as does the Toddler Tent, Art Show, Museum, Historical DX Gas Station, and Beer Garden, with the addition of a Motorcycle Show from 9-3, Downtown DeSoto 9-4, and a Cornhole Tournament at 1:00.
Sunday will feature the Ice Cream Social at 5:00 p.m. at the Benson Center, closely followed by Gospel Fest from 5:30-8:30 p.m., with the Mega Fireworks Display serving as the conclusion of Olde Glory Days at 9:30 Sunday evening, with musical accompaniment broadcast on 95.3 KDKD. This year, due to the extremely dry conditions of this summer’s drought, the fireworks display may need to be postponed for safety reasons, but KDKD Community News will keep you posted on any updates as they’re released.
Have a safe and happy Olde Glory Days, all!
