Celebrating tradition and community at the Laurel County Homecoming

Aug. 14—The Laurel County Homecoming is gearing up for a fantastic weekend at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park on August 16-17.

Enjoy a night of music this Friday at the Roots '24 Mini Music Festival with Craig Campbell, followed by a full day of activities on Saturday — all leading up to the Miss and Teen Homecoming Pageants on Saturday evening.

Since 1935, the Homecoming has been bringing family and friends together to listen to live music, enjoy delicious food, shop with local businesses and crafters and have endless fun. It truly is "The Light That Guides You Home."

The annual two-night event in the park also includes a Moonlight Market of local small business owners, a putt-putt scramble, cornhole tournament, pageants, pet parade, Doxie Derby, other family-friendly events and so much more.

Campbell is a good ole' down home boy who grew up playing his mother's piano and singing in church. After graduating high school, he took a job as a corrections officer in his hometown of Lyons, Georgia. But music never left his side. Taking a cue from the sounds of classic country and idols like Travis Tritt and Randy Travis, Campbell started a band and played local and national bar gigs. He took his dreams all the way to Nashville, Tennessee.

Campbell's latest album is entitled "Class of '89" in which he faithfully covers several top hits from the country music charts in 1989. Highlights include covers of Clint Black's "Killin' Time" and Travis' "On the Other Hand."

Saturday at the Homecoming features a full day of activities beginning with a putt putt scramble at the Levi campground at 10 a.m., followed by a pet parade, the Little Miss and Master Pageant, Doxie Derby, Power Wheels Race, petting zoo, Spotlight on Youth, Millstone Theatre Group, the honoree presentation and the homecoming pageant.

In conjunction with the Homecoming, two events will be held at Town Center Park in Downtown London, just as they were last year. ParadeFest, a gathering of local creatives, will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Laurel County Homecoming Parade will begin at 11 a.m. and run along the streets around Town Center.