The population of Grant County will grow tremendously today with the start of the 43rd annual James Dean Festival in Fairmount, plus the Ducktail Run Car Show in Gas City. Add the Jonesboro River Rally starting Friday and thousands of visitors will be streaming to Grant County for the love of nostalgia.
James Dean was born in Marion and grew up in Fairmount, developing the personality and acting skills that made him a star in Hollywood until his death in 1955. Dean is buried in Park Cemetery in Fairmount.
Thousands of classic cars will be all over Grant County with the James Dean Run in Playacres Park in Fairmount and the Ducktail Run in Gas City.
Activities in Fairmount begin later today when the downtown streets are closed off and the early James Dean Run takes place.
This is traditionally the biggest weekend of the year for tourism in Grant County.
