Peebles Old Timers Day 2024 Queen and her Court. From leeft, Queen Jaylyn Banks, First Runner-Up Savanna Shoemaker, Second Runner-Up Kiera Scott and Thirrd Runner-Up Jackie Myers. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
The 2024 Old Timers Days Couple: John and Suzanne Huffman, (Photo by Andy Baucom)
There were many activities for youngsters at last weekend’s OTD festival in Peebles, such as the watermelon-eating contest. (Photo by Andy Baucom)
Royalty and pageantry were a big part of the 2024 Old Tomes Days in Peebles. (Photo by Andy Baucom)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
The 60th celebration of Old Timers Day in Peebles from Thursday, September 12 to Sunday, September 15 was very successful. Vendors, food stalls, community organizations, games, events and kids’ rides provided great fun for the whole family.
People packed Main Street in Peebles from the railroad tracks to Church Street on opening night, children and teens played various games and sports on the grassy area near the main stage, and there were people gathered in large and small groups alike to enjoy the festivities.
During opening cermonies on Thursday John and Suzanne Huffman were introduced as the Old Timers Couple and Ty Stephens was introduced as the Grand Marshal of the festival.
The Junior Miss Pageant saw Layla Musser crowned as Junior Miss, Reagan Mycoskie was First Runner-Up, Katie Myers was Second Runner-Up, Lilli Cooper was Third Runner-Up, and Kaylee Schnapp was Fourth Runner-Up.
Opening night came to a close with the Old Timers Day Queens Pageant Jaylyn Banks was crowned Queen. Her court consisted of First Runner-Up Savanna Shoemaker, Second Runner-Up Kiera Scott and Third Runner-Up Jackie Myers.
On Friday the baked goods contest went off without a hitch as an entry consisting of chocolate chip cookies took the prize in the youth baking category, and in the adult category the entry of Rocky Road fudge took top honors.
In the Prince Pageant, Henry Ashworth was crowned as Old Timers Day Prince, Bentley Lowe took First Runner-Up, Joseph Gibb-Pendell was Second Runner-Up, and Third Runner-Up went to Ben Pryor.
The Princess Pageant ended with Aspen Knechtly crowned as Old Timers Day Princess, Charlee Cluxton claimed First Runner -Up, Briella Tolle was Second Runner-Up, Briston Minton was awarded Third Runner-Up and Fourth Runner-Up went to Alexis Suiter.
Chris Crothers kicked off the musical entertainment for Old Timers Day on the main stage Friday afternoon.
Local Gospel group Satisfied started off the festival’s musical acts on the second stage near the railroad tracks before the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter took his customary turn in the spotlight at Old Timers Day.
Blue Steel, a Classic Rock band that has been together for 35 years, marked the end of the festivities on the main stage on Friday evening.
Saturday morning’s events saw the baby and toddler shows kick things off on the main stage.
In the 0-6 month boys baby show Wylie Hunter was the winner. In the girls 0-6 month baby show the winner was Rhiannon Parm, Chevy Haste took second place, Maddie Milburn was third, and Jolyn Wardia placed fourth.
The boys 7-12 month show was won by Waylon Delaney and Waylon Pendell took second. In the girls 7-12 month show, Josephine Pendell was named the winner, Raymona Thompson was second, and Hartlynn Gorman took third.
The girls 13-18 month show saw Presley Frost declared the winner while Ellamae Workman took second place.
The boys 19-24 month winner was Jackson Pendell. The girls 19-24 month show saw Nylah Kelley take home first place, Quinlee Thorp was second place, Harper Conlee was third, and fourth place was Ryleigh Bumgardner.
The Old Timers Day Little Mister Pageant for ages two to three saw Brooks Hunter named Little Mr., Zayden Prewitt took second place, and Levi Lightner was third.
In the Little Mister age three to four group Nathaneol Lighter took home first place and Carter Lowe was second.
Little Miss in ages two to three for Old Timers Day was won by Tomlynn Young, Jasmine Belle Spillman took second place, third was Magnolia Lee Norman, and Keagan Worley was fourth.
The Little Miss Toddler for ages three to four saw Braynlee Scalf earn first place, Paisley Estle second, Charlotte Swayne third, and Ariel Spillman fourth.
The Old Timers Day Miss Preteen Pageant was won by Lilly Ann Scott, First Runner-Up was Kennedy Swayne, Second Runner-Up was Wylie Newman, Third Runner-Up went to Kole Knechtly, and Fourth Runner-Up was Kiaya Ashworth.
In the Miss Junior Preteen Pageant, Emmery Whittington was named Miss Junior Preteen, Mya Ober was First Runner-Up, Danni Fristoe was Second Runner-Up, Ella Schutte took Third Runner-Up, and Kyleigh Bumgardner was Fourth Runner-Up.
Also taking place on Saturday was the kiddie and pet parade, a kids watermelon eating contest, a kids bubble gum blowing contest, and a power wheels derby.
Tyler Neeley, Echoes of Zion, Wendigo, 3 Fold, Static Spirit, Muddy n Odd, and Dusty & Backwoods Drive provided the music on Saturday.
Sunday saw a car show, worship service, Fancy Free Cloggers, and numerous raffle drawings.
Old Timers Day wrapped up with the Grande Parade down Main Street and the drawing for the 60th Anniversary quilt and gun raffle.
The Old Timers Day festival committee provided the following statement to the People’s Defender on Sunday, “As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Old Timers Days Festival, we are reminded of the rich traditions and strong community spirit that have made this event a cherished part of our town’s history. This milestone is not only a tribute to the past but also a celebration of the future, as we continue to come together each year to honor our shared heritage. We are grateful to everyone—vendors, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees—who have supported this festival over the decades. Here’s to many more years of Old Timers Days, where memories are made, and the bonds of community grow stronger.”
