When Jubilee Days almost wasn’t 

Jubilation and gratitude seemed to be the general reaction to Jubilee Days 2024, the festival that almost didn’t happen. 

“I’m glad they could pull it together,” said attendee Debbie Bell after the Jubilee Days parade on Saturday morning, Aug. 3. 

Bell referred to the hurried work of a crew that took over festival planning when the Nettle Creek Lions Club announced in May that it could no longer plan and staff Jubilee Days. 

Growing up in Indianapolis, she didn’t experience parades and festivals. But after more than 40 years in Hagerstown, she tells old friends that Jubilee is part of the small town’s Mayberry-like atmosphere. Jubilee has been an end-of-summer tradition for more than 70 years.

Jeremy Jennings and a group of his friends took charge, moved the date forward two weeks, and scrambled. They moved the festival market and kids zone to the north side of town, organized the parade, expanded a beer garden music festival, and added fireworks.

Resident Cris Fink rode near the front as the parade’s grand marshal. A 1990 Hagerstown High School graduate, Fink served 30 years in the U.S. Army, becoming a Ranger, earning a Bronze Star and retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Organizers recognized Fink for his service to the country and his support for community activities, said Jason Schmittler, also a 1990 HHS grad.

Town Council member Fred Dill took on planning the parade that, true to past form, included floats, flags, horses, tractors, classic cars, walking units, sports teams, cheerleaders and plenty of sirens. The voice of longtime announcer George “Tad” Justice Jr. boomed over speakers. 

Walking through the festival market in its new location on North Perry Street (formerly on South Plum), resident Jeff Huffine said, “It feels a little foreign here, but this is a great street for it!” Like others, he appreciated the shade trees that helped keep attendees comfortable as the temperature climbed into the high 80s on Saturday.

Women of the Psi Iota Xi sorority sold Jubilee Days walking tacos at Plum and Walnut for longer than any of them could remember. Debbie Ballenger said it felt strange to be working from a new corner — Perry and College — but “we’re just glad to be back.”

Michelle Huntington organized the market, concentrating on crafts and décor. She also organizes the Hometown Christmas market.

Police Chief Keith Folkner said, “I thought the minor changes in venue locations worked great, even though, as expected, we had a few kinks to work out … The amount of visitors has been solid and we had another great parade.”

Dill said turnout was good and the kids zone and fireworks proved popular. The Ron-De-Voo Inn and Hagerstown Package sponsored those attractions, while American Legion Post 333 paid for firework shows Friday and Saturday.

Jennings, reached on Sunday, said, “Moving the vendor area and kids zone up to the north side of town and combining things really made it better. The vendors and patrons all had great positive response,” noting that about half of the vendors had never been to Hagerstown before.

The beer garden music festival, which began several years ago when he owned the Ron-De-Voo bar, attracted hundreds of listeners and dancers. Bands played on an open-air stage. 

“The musicians loved the setup and playing in the street,” Jennings said.

Dill and Jennings said this won’t be the last Jubilee Days festival.

“I hope we can get a committee formed and continue the tradition with the earlier date and new setup locations,” Jennings said.

“My hope,” Dill added, “is members from our various civic organizations and other community members will take part. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the greatest time of year.”