TOP PHOTO: Local historian and festival organizer Bill Claiborne guest spoke at the South Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon on Tuesday at the LaFollette Methodist Church.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Local historian and Tally Town Festival organizer Bill Claiborne guest spoke at the South Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon on Tuesday at the LaFollette Methodist Church.

Claiborne spoke about the culture and history of Campbell County and the upcoming Tally Town Festival on July 29. He touched on Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, Opera singer Grace More and their historical significance and their connections to the Italian culture of our area. According to Claiborne, Cambell County is “where Appalachian Culture combined with Italian culture to create Appatalia.”

He spoke about the upcoming Tally Town Festival and how it all came about.

“I wanted to do something with the Italians to honor their cultural impact to our area. It was inspired last year, when WLAF’s Charlie Hutson put up a picture of the Piedmont building and said next year would be the 100th anniversary of the building,” Claiborne said

He said the Piedmont building, which was built in 1923, was going to get a state historical monument.

“I wanted to honor the building and these Italians that played such a role in our county. They came in early 1900s for the coal camps to work in the mines,” Claiborne said. He described their contributions to area building construction and more.

“Our communities were built, in large part due to the influx of these Italians. Places have stories, and if you don’t know those stories, you might as well not know who you are,” Claiborne said.

During the festival, there will be a genealogical exhibit, wine tasting, a craft depot, car show, and much much more. 

Claiborne said he felt the festival could be a “recurring branded event” for the area.

“We have the Biggest Little Italy in Tennessee… and I think it can bring a lot of positivity to our area,” Claiborne said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/12/2023-6AM)


   Local historian and festival organizer Bill Claiborne guest spoke
at the South Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon on Tuesday at the LaFollette
Methodist Church.
Claiborne spoke about the culture and history of Campbell County and the
upcoming Tally Town Festival on July 29. He touched on Howard “Louie
Bluie” Armstrong, Opera singer Grace More and their historical
significance and their connections to the Italian culture of our area.
According to Claiborne, Cambell County is “where Appalachian Culture
combined with Italian culture to create Appatalia.”
He spoke about the upcoming Tally Town Festival and how it all came about.
“I wanted to do something with the Italians to honor their cultural impact
to our area. It was inspired last year, when WLAF’s Charlie Hutson put up a
picture of the Piedmont building and said next year would be the 100th
anniversary of the building,” Claiborne said
He said the Piedmont building, which was built in 1923, was going to get a
state historical monument.
“I wanted to honor the building and these Italians that played such a role
in our county. They came in early 1900s for the coal camps to work in the
mines,” Claiborne said. He described their contributions to area building
construction and more.

“Our
communities were built, in large part due to the influx of these Italians.
Places have stories and if you don’t know those stories, you might as well
not know who you are,” Claiborne said.

During
the festival, there will be a genealogical exhibit, wine tasting, a craft
depot, car show, and much much more. 
Claiborne said he felt the festival could be a “recurring branded
event” for the area.
“We have the Biggest Little Italy in Tennessee… and I think it can
bring a lot of positivity to our area,” Claiborne said.

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