This year, the Festival will salute the Hall family, and Town Hall will play a special part in that honor. The gingerbread Festival Committee hope he will be the honorary parade marshal in the annual Gingerbread Parade. 

Several other Knott county Halls age 86 or older were found in the search for the "oldest Hall"-Sofa Hall is 92, Maggie Hall and Millard Hall are both 87; Bill Hall, Lorania Hall and Mary Hall are each 86 years of age.

A slight, neatly dressed gentleman who eyes are still bright and alert, Town Hall looks much younger than 93.  He and his wife Mattie who is only 77, have been married for 53 years. Together they have four daughters and two sons; Town had three other daughters prior to their marriage. The children are scattered from local homes to Ohio and Indiana; Hall also has eight grandchildren, give great-grandchildren and some great-great grands he has never even seen.

Mr. Hall says he as born and raised less than a mile from his present home near the Rebecca Church. he has lived in Knott County all his life.  In his younger days, work consisted of "first one thing and then another," but mostly logging and farming.

Town Hall claims no special secret for his continued good health--"just the Man Above," he says. But the spirit of good natured banter and mischief evident from both he and his wife suggest that a sense of humor helps.

"I've been a bad'un, Mr. Hall says, with a twinkle in his eye. "But I was never before a jury, or sat on one either. How many men can say that?"

"I liked the old days best," Hall notes. "People have changed since then."

The Halls say they don't travel much these days. Most of their time is spend in the hour or yard with their feisty little Boston Terrier, Missy. They do have company often: Mr. Hall says, " I wouldn't stay in a country where n one would come and see us?"

Mrs. Hall tended a garden this summer, but says the heat made it almost unbearable, so she doesn't know of she will try again next year.  Their only regular trips are to the store and the doctor for checkups.

Town relates that he has never been to a Gingerbread Festival, but he "May try to go this year." Does he think it's anything special to be the oldest Hall in Knott County? "Never thought bout it, " he says. "If he is the oldest, "Mrs. Hall interjects, "then he's sure an antique, I should get a good price for him. Maybe I'll take him to the festival and auction him off!"