Clay County Museum Hopes To Regain Losses With Festival

The Clay County History Museum has condensed its Homecoming Days celebration into a one day event on Saturday.

President Mary Loyd Reneau said this was done out of COVID precautions. Reneau said the community’s favorite events like the mighty duck race, cow patty contest and live music will still happen.

She said holding the festival was important after fundraising took a hit in 2020.

“We didn’t raise any,” Reneau said. “So we were practically flat broke come February. So we had to start raising some money and we’ve got to put ourselves back in the position we were at the end of August in 2019.”

Reneau said the event starts at the Celina Courthouse square at 8:00 AM with crafts, food and activities. She said admission is free and money raised goes back into supporting the Clay County History Museum’s operations.

“The community supports us real well, we have benefactors that support the museum,” Reneau said. “But like I said, the more we get, the more we can do to show them what the history of Clay County is. Because there’s always something that somebody doesn’t know about and they come in here and we tell them about.”

Reneau said the centerpiece to Clay County history will be open as all the day’s activities take place. She said everyone should take a trip through the county’s 151 year old courthouse.

She said once attendees take a tour of the courthouse, there will be karaoke, live music, cake walks and games for kids. Reneau said she expects the event to last until 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM when music wraps up.