PulaskiFest's History

PulaskiFest goes back many, many years.  The old Maple Shade Inn's tree-lined grounds provided space for musical events and ice cream socials.  African American churches sponsored homecomings and singing.  The Pulaksi Fire Department Band, under the director of Professor Fire played in the park gazebo.  The first grand celebration, however, was in 1939, the county's centennial.  There was a parade in downtown Pulaski complete with floats, bands, lovely ladies in evening gowns and an outdoor drama held at the recently built "Pulaski Athletic Park," now known as "Calfee Park."

June 11, 1994, though, marked the beginning of modern festivals.  "Depot Days" was born in celebration of the renovated Pulaski Railway Station, orginally built in 1888, now on the National Historical Register.  The first Depot Day brought the Norfolk &Western historic steam engine, the 611, to town.  Thousands of visitors came to Pulaski that day.  Since that time heritage and transportation festivals and garden festivals have given way to PulaskiFest, a time to celbrate our common life together and invite visitors from all around to come to the Town of Pulaski and enjoy our hospitality. 



Admission to PulaskiFest is FREE!  Tickets are required for certain children's activities and can be purchased for $.50/each.  Pony rides are $2.00 per person.