Mardi Gras is the theme for the 2024 Hillsboro Homecoming festival and parade.
“We thought ‘Mardi Gras’ would be a good theme, especially for the parade, for people to dress up,” said Mandy Alley, a member of Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the event.
Admission is free to attend the two-day festival, which will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 17, and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 18, largely on Main Street (Hwy. BB) near the Jefferson County Courthouse.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. May 18 at Leon Hall Parkway and proceed south on Business 21 before turning right on Main Street and then left on Maple Street, dispersing at the Jefferson County Administration Building, 729 Maple St.
“How long it lasts depends on the number of participants,” Alley said. “It’s usually about 45 minutes.”
The Hillsboro Homecoming will feature carnival rides and games; craft vendors; live music and other activities.
Alley said the Kids Fishing Tournament first held in 2023 at Bridle Ridge Acres (which the Hillsboro R-3 School District owns) will return this year.
“There are two sessions, both on (May 17). The one at 5:30 p.m. is for ages 2-7 and the one at 6:30 p.m. is for ages 8-12,” Alley said. “The cost (to enter the fishing tournament) is $20 and includes a T-shirt. Bring your own fishing equipment. We’ll have prizes for the biggest catch each session. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Hillsboro School District agricultural program.”
Four bands that play rock and country music will perform throughout the festival on a stage along Main Street.
She said the festival also will feature a Mardi Gras Motor Mania car show starting at noon May 18 along Main Street sponsored by the Hillsboro Lions Club.
Another event linked to the festival, the Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, at Raintree Country Club, 5925 Plantation Drive, in the Hillsboro area.
“The Hillsboro Homecoming has been an annual tradition,” Alley said. “It’s also the chamber’s largest fundraising event.”
For more information, visit hillsborochamberofcommerce.com, the chamber’s Facebook page or call 636-481-6718.
Schedule of events
May 17
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m.: Kids Fishing Tournament at Hillsboro R-3’s Bridle Ridge Farm.
6 p.m.: Welcome and official opening; carnival starts and runs to midnight.
8 p.m. to midnight: Hogen’s Heroes Band.
May 18
7 a.m.: Hillsboro Rotary Pancake Breakfast, Hillsboro Intermediate School, 10478 Business 21, runs to 11 a.m.
9 a.m.: Craft and food vendors open.
11 a.m.: Hillsboro Homecoming Parade (setup starts at 10 a.m. behind Hillsboro Intermediate School); carnival starts and runs to 11 p.m.
Noon: Sound by Richard Blechler; Opening, with national anthem and performance by Hillsboro Intermediate Treble Singers; Wildlife Command Center/Raptor Rescue Inc., runs to 8 p.m.; Kids Corner presented by The Parenting Network of Jefferson County Community Partnership, runs to 4 p.m.
Noon: Hillsboro Lions Club Mardi Gras Motor Mania Car Show on Main Street in front of Hillsboro City Hall, runs to 4 p.m.
12:25 p.m.: Parade winners and other announcements.
12:30 p.m.: Armed Forces Day Ceremony at the Jefferson County Administration Center parking lot, 729 Maple Street.
“We have guest speakers,” Alley said. “That is the actual Armed Forces Day. We recognize those who have served or are serving.”
12:30 p.m.: Mixed Emotions Band performance, runs to 3 p.m.
1 p.m.: Cornhole tournament on Main Street in front of the Jefferson County Health Department.
3 p.m.: Pie-eating contest.
3:30 p.m.: 90 Proof Acoustics band performance, runs to 6 p.m.
6 p.m.: Line dancing with Earline Abney.
7 p.m.: Johnathan Braddy Band performance, runs to 11 p.m.