A group of self-proclaimed hillbillies are in Bay City this weekend for the 32nd annual International Imperial Convention hosted by the Elf Khurafeh Shrine Center Club Hillbilly Clan 55, based out of Flint, known as the Michigan Pineticks.
BAY CITY, MI— Approaching the corner of Fifth Street and Washington Avenue on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 9, I did a double take after spotting a peculiar looking vehicle parked near the Subway restaurant in downtown Bay City.
At first glance, it looked like a Model A Ford.
At second glance, I could tell it was so much more — a real life hillbilly-mobile.
The first thing I noticed was the passenger seat, which wasn't a seat at all, but rather a toilet. That's good for long trips, I supposed.
Pots and pans and various kitchen items and tools hung from the sides of the vehicle. Bird houses and animals stuffed by a taxidermist all had a place in the eclectic mix. And the finishing touch? A moonshine still in the back.
I began humming the theme to "The Beverly Hillbillies."
I grabbed my cell phone and began snapping a few photos. Other passersby joined in.
"Hey, don't damage my car," a voice cried out from down the street.
That's when I met J.D. and Sandy Rollison of Marietta, Ohio. The couple is in Bay City this weekend, along with a handful of other self-proclaimed "hillbillies" for the 32nd Annual International Imperial Convention at the Doubletree hotel and conference center.
The hillbillies, as J.D. Rollison explained, is part of the international Shriners organization and their efforts help raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
"We're the hillbiliies, kind of like Shriners also have clowns," Rollison said.
This weekend's convention is hosted by the Elf Khurafeh Shrine Center Club Hillbilly Clan 55, based out of Flint, known as the Michigan Pineticks.
The Rollison's are members of Almost Heavenly Clan No. 6 based in Parkersburg, W.Va. They said they pulled their hillbilly-mobile on a trailer from Ohio and are enjoying their stay in Bay City.
The couple has owned the Model A for about five years, slowly converting it to the hillbilly themed vehicle it is today.
"I like doing this. It's something fun," said J.D. Rollison. "I loved 'The Beverly Hillbillies."
The Rollison's vehicle, along with more than a dozen others, will be on display during a parade scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, on Saginaw Street between second and sixth streets in downtown Bay City.
If yer not doin' nuttin' stop by and check 'em out!