End of Summer Festival brings community together at Clay-Barnette

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

Fun-goers walk around during the End of Summer Bash at Clay-Barnette, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.

Clay-Barnette staff gathered for a photo during their End of Summer Festival | Chuck Thompson

SHELBY — Clay Barnette Funerals Cremations and Aquamations hosted an End of Summer Community Event Festival at their Shelby location over the weekend. A large crowd of families turned out for music, fun and food.

The parking lot was filled with the sounds of a small festival as kids played in a bouncy castle and had fun on a pirate ship slide.

Jackson, one of the children there with family, said it has been a fun Saturday. “This is fun, I’m having a good time!” he said before hurrying back to the fun events for the kids.

Calvin Hasting was there broadcasting live from KTC Broadcasting on AM1590 and 92.9 FM. Merchant vendors and a snack food truck were on hand for the attendees to shop and buy a mouth-watering treats.

Calvin Hastings broadcasts live from the Clay-Barnette End of Summer Community Event | Chuck Thompson

Managing Director Nikki Hartman spoke on the success of the event, “We wanted to host something that is free for the community to let them know we're here for them, that we are a part of the community during their best times and not just during their worst times. We have had a great turn out of all ages – which has been really wonderful to see so many people turn out for the fun and games, the popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and prizes; and just see so many smiles on faces here at Clay-Barnette.”

A big attraction that caught everyone’s eye was a 1936 Plymouth hearse. Purchased in Wilmington about 15 years ago, it was once used by a movie studio.

Eric Bester sits behind the wheel of a 1936 Plymouth hearse that he purchased for Clay-Barnette from a movie studio in Wilmington 15 years ago. It is used for funerals upon request, weather permitting. | Chuck Thompson

(Clay-Barnette festival continued below...)

1936 Plymouth hearse. | Chuck Thompson

Clay-Barnette used the hearse just the day before the festival. Hartman noted that it doesn’t have air conditioning; something to keep in mind during a hot day.

“We don’t want the driver to have a heat stroke,” Hartman said in regard to when it’s best used. “But it’s no extra charge, and we try to use it when the weather is nice.”

Eric Bester, Funeral Director & Embalmer NC/SC, Aquamationist, B.M.S., took a moment to open the ’36 Plymouth and allow The Shelby Independent to take a look inside.

Bester said several hundred happy people had come through the event, adding, “This has been a great opportunity for people to come out and have fun and gather for good times, food and fellowship. We’re thankful to be part of such a great community.”

Clay-Barnette Funerals, Cremations and Aquamations is located at 1401 W. Dixon Blvd., in Shelby.

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

 The Shelby Independent.