This year’s Carrollton Pilgrimage, set for October 5-6, will not only celebrate the town’s history and architecture, but it will celebrate its time in the Hollywood spotlight.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of “The Reivers,” a movie based on a William Faulkner novel of the same name which starred Steve McQueen. The film was shot in the town of Carrollton, and many local people played as extras in the film.
“We will be celebrating the filming of “The Reivers” with a walking tour of all the places in town that were featured in the movie,” said Carrollton Mayor Pam Lee, who also serves as the Pilgrimage chairwoman.
Lee said on Friday, October 5, the film will be shown at the Tabernacle free of charge.
“We got permission to show ‘The Reivers,’” Lee said. “There will be a time during the evening that we will recognize the people who were extras in the movie.”
Lee said donations will be accepted at the movie showing, and the Carrollton North Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department will be handling concessions that evening.
“The Reivers” celebration is not the only draw to this year’s event. The home tour will include two homes not previously open in the past.
Campbell Cottage, located on Highway 35 North, and the Bole House, located on County Road 316, will be open this year, Lee said. In addition to the new additions, the Helm House, Lum Reek, and Shadesrest, all located in town, will be open for tours.
It wouldn’t be a Carrollton Pilgrimage without the Pioneer Day Festival on the historic Carrollton square. The square will be filled with vendors, selling everything from handcrafted items to good food. And as guests browse the various booths, live music will be performed on the courthouse lawn.
Lee said music this year will be provided by Ben Peyton Wiley and his Thundering Harp band, as well as Sam Wooden, and Jim Garrett.
Also scheduled to perform, Mississippi Storyteller Rebecca Jernigan will be telling some of William Faulkner’s other stories set in Jefferson.
As in year’s past, the Pilgrimage will also include the Miss Pioneer Day pageant, set for September 22. For pageant information, contact Shonda Milton at 601-594-7576.
For more information about the Carrollton Pilgrimage, vendor registration, ticket information, or how you can be involved, call Lee at 662-237-6910 or visit VisitCarrolltonMS.com.
