NEWS
June 12, 2024
Our Ernest Day Silent Auction raised over $1,000 for the Parkinson's Foundation!!!! Thank you so much to all who bid. And congratulations to all the winners!
Ernest Day supports the Parkinson's Foundation because John R. "Buster" Cherry, III suffered from and succumbed to Parkinson's in 2022. He loved coming to Ernest Day and meeting fans who loved Ernest and his work.
You can donate to the Parkinson's Foundation here.
June 11, 2024
Ernest Day 2025 is scheduled for June 14th. Mark your calendars.
If you camp or stay in an RV at Ernest Day, you will need to make alternate plans for next year. Montgomery Bell State Park is renovating their campground starting this fall. It will be close for a year. Because rooms fill up quickly, please make your reservations at the Lodge at Montgomery Bell, reserve a cabin, or make hotel reservations in the area soon.
June 10, 2024
Did you miss our special announcement at Ernest Day? The first new Ernest project in 25 years is coming soon! Ernest Goes To Comics is in the works. Go to ErnestGoesToComics.com to learn more and support it!
June 6, 2024
Here's some of the items up for bid in our Silent Auction!
First is a mock-up page from "Ask Ernest!" displaying the Twelve Days of Christmas as interpreted by the "Moron Fishin' Tackle Choir". This one-of-a-kind item features Ernest's face pasted among several clip-art Christmas caroling characters. It's perfect for yuletide decoration or for year-round display.
Next we have 3 copies of John Cherry's memoir "Keeper of the Clown: My Life With Ernest" (Hardback). Cherry shares his journey of working with Jim Varney to bring "Ernest P. Worrell" to life, and the trials and tribulations of taking him from tv pitchman to silver screen star. Cherry spins yarns with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. His life as the Worrell wrangler had its share of charms and challenges. This book is out of print so you'll want to snatch it up.
Finally, these limited edition double-sided masks of Ernest and Dr. Otto were a big hit last year. So we are putting ten (10) up for bid this year! These were made for the 1985 premiere of Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam. Is Ernest just another one of Dr. Otto's alter egos created from his Changing Coffin? Who knows?! Director John Cherry's son, Josh, remembers having his birthday party at a theater showing of Dr. Otto with these masks.
All of these items were donated by Josh Cherry. Josh's father passed away of Parkinson's Disease in 2022. That is why Ernest Day and this auction endeavors to raise money to fight this disease.
To take part in the Silent Auction, go to GiveButter.com/ErnestDay24, click on the Auction tab and register. You will need to enter credit or debit card information but you will not be charged unless you win an item at the end of the auction.
Good luck!
June 2, 2024
SHHHHH! Our Silent Auction opening will coincide with the beginning of Ernest Day, promptly at 2PM this Saturday. But you can get a head start by registering before the day. Just go to GiveButter.com/ErnestDay24 and tap/click the "Donate" button to become a registered bidder.
Bank information will be required to register. Only the winning bidders will be charged.
Winners will be automatically charged at the close of the auction at 6PM Saturday.
More items will be added throughout this week.
Once the auction opens, feel free to bid on all the items you are interested in (some items might have multiples). You can view the items up for bid in person in the Counselors' Cabin. Keep a virtual eye on your item(s) throughout the day on the website and update your bid(s).
Good luck!
May 21, 2024
Did you know there is a documentary being made about Ernest?! It's true! And the filmmakers will be at Ernest Day 2024! You might see them wandering around capturing footage of our shenanigans.* Check out BeingErnestFilm.com.
If you have an Ernest story to share, they wanna talk to you!
If you have photos or home videos of you dressed as Ernest for Halloween, they wanna see it!
If you have a VHS recording of the '82 World Series with some rare Ernest commercials, they wanna see it!
You can also help back the documentary! Their initial Kickstarter campaign launched the project into orbit. But there is still a lot of work to do to land the plane. You can support them as they continue to mine for rare Ernest clips, conduct interviews, and begin editing it all together.
*When you enter Ernest Day, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used by Vernacular Multimedia, LLC for the Program, "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST" AND BEHIND THE SCENES. You release Vernacular Multimedia, LLC and all other persons/entities involved in the production, exhibition, distribution, advertising, or other exploitation of the Program from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of the recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Vernacular Multimedia, LLC or the person they designate to do so. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
May 15, 2024
Kikakee Kaps are back!
This year our merch tables will include this handsome khaki cap with the Kamp Kikakee logo embroidered on. These, along with t-shirts and other official Kamp Kikakee merch, will be available exclusively at Ernest Day. The Montgomery Bell State Park office does not take internet, phone, or mail orders. So get them while supplies last!
May 12, 2024
Kikakee Kast Update Alert!
Richard Speight Jr. ("Brooks" in Ernest Goes To Camp) will tentatively attend.
Also, Cylk Cozart ("Barry Worth" from Slam Dunk Ernest) is scheduled to appear.
May 7, 2024
We have a number of Food Trucks returning to Ernest Day, as well as some first timers! Hope you're hungry!
Kona Ice will have a variety of shaved ice flavors to help cool you down throughout the day.
This Turkey Here has some great gourmet turkey options.
The Cotton Candy Kid adds a carnival flavor to the day.
Jac's Southern Grub has several savory southern soul food options.
Ronnie's Q will come to the res-Q of any and all hungry guests.
Lastly, Maryann & Wanda's Eatery will be set up in Chuck and Eddie's kitchen in the mess hall with a special Ernest Day menu that includes the "Ernest Goes To Camp" (loaded sweet potato fries covered in bonfire marshmallows, graham dust, honey, and bacon), "Kikakee Knots" (2 jumbo pretzel knots glazed in carnival butter and topped with sea salt), and "Eggz Erroneous" (slop of eggs, gravy, pork sausage, biscuit bread crumbs, and cheez crumbs).
April 20, 2024
New Ernest Day artwork released!
Ernest Day has partnered with Anderson Design Group to issue new and original artwork each year! The inaugural poster has just been released. It features a pointed plea from Ernest to attend the festival along with paratrooping turtles from Ernest Goes To Camp in a Hatch Show Print pastiche.
Designer Joel Anderson cut his artistic teeth on several of the Ernest movies and even won an Emmy for his work on the tv show “Hey, Vern, It’s Ernest!”
The art can be ordered as a poster in various sizes, note cards, postcards, canvas prints, or even a metal sign! They will quickly become collector’s items. Fans can order from their website. Like other Ernest Day merchandise, Anderson Design Group will donate a portion of the proceeds on Ernest Day sales to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
April 8, 2024
SHHHHH! This year's Ernest Day auction will be a silent one! Items include limited edition 2-sided Ernest/Dr. Otto masks from the 1985 release of Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam, autographed copies of "The Importance of Being Ernest" by Jim Varney biographer and nephew Justin Lloyd, plus, more exciting items to be announced! All funds raised from the Silent Auction go to the Parkinson's Foundation.
Stay tuned for more details!
April 4, 2024
Alec Klapper who played "Joey" in Ernest Scared Stupid will be joining us at Ernest Day this year!
February 22, 2024
We are excited to have Daniel Butler returning to Ernest Day this year! Butler played "Eddie" the cook alongside Gailard Sartain's "Jake" in Ernest Goes To Camp. And he played other characters in the Ernest films and tv show and was also a writer on many of the projects.
February 20, 2024
Scheduled* to appear at Ernest Day 2024:
Larry Black - "Mr. Tipton" in Ernest Goes to Camp and "Mayor Murdock" in Ernest Scared Stupid
Patrick Day - "Bobby Wayne" in Ernest Goes to Camp
Todd Loyd - "Chip Ozgood" in Ernest Goes to Camp
Eddy Schumacher - "Counselor Stennis" in Ernest Goes to Camp
Hugh Sinclair - "Counselor Sparks" in Ernest Goes to Camp
Andrew Woodworth - "Pennington" in Ernest Goes to Camp
Harvey Godwin, Jr. - "Brave's Father" in Ernest Goes to Camp
Shane Keister - Composer for Ernest Goes to Camp and Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam
Mike Montgomery - "Joey's Dad" in Ernest Scared Stupid and "Warden's Assistant" in Ernest Goes to Jail
Marin Miller - "Kids Army" in Ernest Scared Stupid
Denice Hicks - "Elizabeth's Mother" in Ernest Scared Stupid and various characters in "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!"
Mary Jane Harvill - "Mother" in Ernest Scared Stupid and "Lance's Mom" in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam
Justin Lloyd - Author of "The Importance of Being Ernest: The Life of Actor Jim Varney" and Jim Varney's nephew
Josh & Emilie Cherry - Son and daughter of Ernest co-creator and director John R. Cherry III
Stay tuned for more cast announcements!
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE