Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival will return to Adamsville in May

ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. — Despite recent revelations in a TBI investigation, the annual Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival is expected to return to Adamsville.

An event page created on Facebook shows that the festival is set to take place May 14-16, 2026.

The festival draws crowds each year from across the region to remember the life and legacy of Buford Pusser, former sheriff of McNairy County and subject of several films.

Concerns about the festival’s future were raised earlier this year after an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation suggested that Pusser was likely involved in the 1967 shooting death of his wife Pauline. Authorities said if Buford were alive today, it’s believed there is enough evidence to charge him in the crime.

Following the new findings, the City of Adamsville stated that public sessions would be held to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to the Buford Pusser Museum and other related matters.

Staff with the Buford Pusser Museum later confirmed it would remain open.

Catch up on our recent coverage of the Pusser investigation below.

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