King of the Wild Frontier and Elvis Presley have history in Perry County, Tennessee, which celebrates its bicentennial Sept. 20-21, 2019

Davy Crockett was thirsty but he was lacking cash. He wandered into Perry County, Tenn., nabbed a half gallon of whiskey and left an IOU for $3.50.

He wasn’t the only celebrity to slip into Perry County. Elvis stopped in Linden when his car needed fixing (hey that rhymes!) and got a shave and a haircut while he waited.

Perry County celebrates these historic happenings and much more the weekend of Sept. 20-21, 2019, to mark the county’s 200th birthday. The two days of free festivities will include 100 vendors, an old-fashioned fiddlers contest, a county fair, tours of the county’s historical landmarks, musical guests and more.

Perry County was named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, naval officer and hero of the War of 1812. The county was created by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly on Nov. 14, 1819.

Downtown Linden

The county is home to the quaint small towns of Linden and Lobelville. Attractions include Mousetail Landing State Park with camping, hiking, boating, picnicking, swimming and fishing. The Buffalo River Resort in Lobelville outfits the river for kayaking, canoeing and tubing and the Buffalo and Tennessee Rivers are popular destinations for boating and fishing. Main Street Market and Buffalo River Artisans Cooperative showcase the works of local artisans and Music on Main Street, the summer music series, features popular local and regional artists. Linden’s Historic Commodore Hotel and Commodore Music Café was named one of the six best places to stay in Tennessee.

As for that IOU Crockett left behind? A copy is on display in the Linden city archives. Wonder if they have Elvis's hair as well.

For more information on Perry County’s 200th Birthday celebration, visit www.theperrychamber.com/200thbirthdaycelebration

Weird, Wacky and Wild South is written by food and travel writer Chere Dastugue Coen who loves unusual history.

Tupelo: Where even pets love Elvis

Bruno in Pet-Owner Look-a-like category

There's a buzz in Tupelo, Mississippi, every June, and it owns a distinct Elvis vibe. The first weekend in June means Elvis Festival time, with live concerts, an Elvis Tribute Artist competition and a pet parade and pageant.

Yes, even the pets love Elvis in Tupelo.

The annual event raises money for the Dilworth Small Animal Hospital in town and winners walk away with a cash prize, trophy and gift bag.

This year's Elvis Pet Parade and Pageant was hosted by Memphis Jones, a regional celebrity that kept the audience in stitches and the event concluded with a performance by Elvis Tribute Artist Brandon Bennett, the 2008 winner of the "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist" contest.

But the stars were the pets and those the animals had on a lease. Carolyn Smith and her dog, Bruno, at right, were dressed in khakis to represent Elvis' army years — not to mention she has two children in the navy. "Thank you for your service," Jones said to Bruno as he paraded across the stage.

One adorable girl and her dog wore Hawaiian attire to represent Elvis in his film, "Blue Hawaii." There was a miniature Doberman wearing bell bottoms, tiny dogs with velvet guitars and sideburns attached and one dog who wore sunglasses without minding, pausing on the stage as if to pose, which brought the house down. He took away the Elvis lookalike category.

Here are a few of the photos:

Best Elvis lookalike category winner

Best Costume Winner

Bruno

 

Most Unusual winner - this boy brought a stuffed turtle.

Best in Show winner. 

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a travel and food writer from South Louisiana who appreciates the weird and wild side of life. Write to her at cherecoen@gmail.com.