By Jacqueline Chandler/Messenger Correspondent
The City of Attalla will be hosting its annual Heritage Day on Saturday, October 18th. It is a rain or shine event held in historic downtown with over 100 vendors participating. Heritage Day has been around for more than 25 years and is a family friendly event. Lisa Spears, co-director of the event, estimates that more than 10,000 people will take to the street for this year’s event.
“It’s a wonderful family event and we have things that will entertain all ages all day,” said Spears. “There are few places where you can take a whole family and admission is free, all the children’s entertainment is free and that has really helped build Heritage Day up over the years. It’s something that people look forward to and put on their calendars. They always know it is the third Saturday in October.”
The large children’s area includes free face paintings, a visit with Sam the Balloon man and many rides that the kids can ride all day.
The event has three music stages offering various types of music. The Buffalo Rock stage will feature the Kings of Swing and Zydeco music. Zydeco has been a part of Heritage Day for years, bringing in dancers from places like Birmingham, Atlanta and Huntsville. The variety stage by the Attalla Water Board will include a bluegrass band called Tickets Charge performing for the first time, along with South Ridge, Vintage Grey, and Boys of Alabama, a gospel group. The Dare Stage located in front of the post office has Strut USA, a new band called RPM performing classic rock, Teddy Cox, the Alabama Entertainers, and the Etowah High School Singers.
The opening ceremony will be held in front of the Buffalo Rock Stage at 9:00 a.m. Jazmine Mitchell, a senior at Etowah High School, will perform the National Anthem, followed by the flag presentation by the Etowah junior ROTC and a performance by the Etowah High School Band.
A large car show featuring a $1,000 money tree and numerous door prizes throughout the day will be located across from the event. It’s an open show allowing cars, trucks, motorcycles. There is a $20 entry fee to participate.
Food vendors will consist of a wide variety of food including Philly Cheese Steak, gelato, BBQ, stuffed baked potatoes and much more. Home décor, wood working, jewelry, live plants, children’s clothing, candles, glassware are just a few of the various products available from vendors at the event.
Downtown antique shops, boutiques and restaurants will be open all day to serve the public.
Spears thanked the city employees for all the effort they put in to making the event a success, as well as the sponsors for all of their support.