Bigger carnival coming to Adamsville’s Buford Pusser Festival

The 35th annual Buford Pusser Festival takes place in Adamsville this week.

The three day festival starts today (Thursday) with the opening of a large carnival.

The event is hosted by the Buford Pusser Museum and its curator, Tina Mullis, said organizers are looking forward to this year’s festival.

“Last year we were unable to secure a carnival provider and we knew we needed a large and safe fair to have the festival return to normal with a large turnout.

“So, we are so excited that we will be using the same carnival company used for Hardin County’s annual fair. There will be all the same rides, games, food and other activities that attract thousands to Hardin County’s fairgrounds and we believe the same will be true for our festival,” Mullis said.

In addition to the carnival, there will be a bus tour of sites significant to the story of Buford Pusser’s legacy on Friday, May 26.

“People from all over the U.S. travel to McNairy County just to experience the bus tour. I know there is a guy flying in from Boston for the tour this year. Visitors from outside our area always enjoy the festival and love interacting with locals.

“I also encourage locals to join us on the bus tour. I promise it is better than what they may believe it is,” Mullis shared.

There are live music performances during each day of the event.

“We have some great musicians including Clayton Q, Classy and Grassy, Bigbee Ramblers and Wayne Jerrolds’ band. We are also excited that contemporary Christian gospel singer Ezella Robinson will be performing again this year. The crowd really enjoyed her enthusiasm and performance last year,” Mullis recalled.

A car show hosted by Shiloh Hot Rods is set for Saturday. The car show is at Love and Truth Church, 440 U.S. 64, Adamsville, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The carnival and live music performances are at Adamsville City Park, off of East Main Street and behind Jack’s Restaurant, from 5-9 p.m. today and Friday. It starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The Pusser sites bus tour is at 8 a.m. Friday and leaves from the Buford Pusser Home and Museum at 342 Pusser St. in Adamsville. To reserve a seat call the museum at 731-632-4080.

Mullis said, “We are also hoping to show the movie “Walking Tall” at the park’s pavilion on Saturday at 2 p.m., and there will also be a special guest all three days of the festival.”

James Stokes, who played the villain Jason Voorhees in the last “Friday the 13th” movie will be signing autographs and may be dressed in his Jason costume, she said.

Mullis added that Stokes is “participating in the festival because he is interested in possibly making a movie about Pusser.”

There is no charge to enter the carnival, but attendees can purchase tickets for rides and games, and traditional fair food will be for sale.