The families of Joseph Holliday and John Monroe Holliday announced today that the 2010 Galivants Ferry Stump Speaking will take place on Monday, May 3rd.

The Galivants Ferry Stump, which has been held biennially for more than 134 years, is considered the oldest and largest “stump speaking” in the nation. Galivants Ferry itself became hallowed grounds for Horry County Democrats when General Wade Hampton arrived there on horseback in late September to initiate his history-making gubernatorial campaign of 1876. This marked the beginning of Democratic dominance in South Carolina politics for the next hundred years.

The 2010 Stump will be held at Pee Dee Farms, the community’s century-old general store. Galivants Ferry, which is on the National Registry of Historic Districts, is located on Highway 501 where it crosses the Little Pee Dee River. The Stump will follow the traditional festival format of bluegrass music and clogging starting at 4:30 p.m. The actual “speaking” will begin at 6:00 p.m. featuring all local, state and national Democratic candidates.

Speakers will be announced as confirmed....

LINK: Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots Library of Congress (2000)

Billy Holliday flanked by Sally P. Howard and Russell Holliday on the left
and Betty Tull Holliday on the right.

An 1876 newspaper ad about all the local stumps.