Sulphur Well Homecoming Keeps More Than a Century of Tradition Alive

By PJ Martin

Editor, The Herald-News

 

For well over a century, families have gathered in Sulphur Well each August to celebrate a tradition that has become one of Metcalfe County’s most enduring community events. What started in the late 1800s as a simple reunion has grown into the annual Sulphur Well Homecoming, bringing together generations of families, friends, and visitors for a weekend filled with history, fellowship, and hometown fun.

The story of Sulphur Well dates back to around 1845 when local landowner Ezekiel Neal discovered a mineral-rich spring while drilling approximately 180 feet in search of saltwater. Instead, he struck water containing sulfur, magnesium, and iron that quickly became known for its believed health benefits.

The discovery transformed the small community. In 1903, Catlett W. Thompson built the Beulla Villa Hotel across from the well and constructed a swinging bridge so guests could directly access the famous mineral spring. As travelers visited the well, Sulphur Well continued to grow into a destination for both recreation and relaxation.

The community’s signature tradition began a few decades later. During the 1880s, a group of young people picked the third Sunday in August as a day for families and friends to reunite. The annual gathering soon became known as “Third Sunday.”

In those early years, families arrived with tents and camped in “the grove” for the weekend. Worship services, gospel singing, fellowship, and shared meals became the heart of the celebration. Although the event has evolved over the decades, its purpose remains unchanged—bringing people home.

Today, the Sulphur Well Homecoming combines the longstanding traditions with activities that appeal to every generation.

Visitors can browse vendors offering homemade crafts, food, and specialty items while children enjoy bicycle rodeos, relay races, pet shows, and other games throughout the day. Classic cars, trucks, tractors, and motorcycles line the grounds during the popular cruise-in, drawing car enthusiasts from across the region.

One of the most anticipated events each year is the Liz Jefferies Memorial Duck Race. Thousands of colorful rubber ducks race downstream as onlookers wait for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and supporters. What started as a fundraiser has become one of the celebration’s most loved traditions.

Music has also remained a cornerstone of the homecoming. Over the years, local performers, bluegrass bands, and regional artists have entertained crowds, preserving the community atmosphere that has defined the event for generations.

As evening approaches, children gather for the glow stick shower, where hundreds of glowing sticks fill the night sky before the celebration concludes with the annual “Thunder Over the Well” fireworks.

While schedules, entertainment, and activities may change from year to year, the spirit of the Sulphur Well Homecoming has remained remarkably consistent. More than 140 years after families first gathered on the third Sunday in August, the celebration continues to honor the community’s history while creating new memories for future generations.

For many who return each year, the homecoming is more than an event on the calendar; it’s a family tradition that connects the past with the present and reminds everyone why Sulphur Well remains a special place to call home.