Sweet Home Alabama

The Great Alabama Homecoming!

by Marilyn Jones Stamps
 
This year, raise a bighearted cup in a toast to Alabama’s small towns and downtowns. More than 210 cities and towns have spruced up, shaped up and geared up to celebrate their unique heritage during fun festivals, history tours, homecoming celebrations, marker unveilings and a myriad of other special events. During the Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns, residents and visitors alike are invited to sip lemonade on the porch of a historic mansion, participate in the statewide Big Read featuring Tom Sawyer, celebrate the 50th anniversary of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Harper Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, step inside a local museum for a nostalgic look at Alabama’s Civil War and Civil Rights past, sample the flavor of locally owned restaurants and cafés, enjoy music in various venues, or go on a walking or driving tour to discover the history, beauty and culture of Sweet Home Alabama. Following is the list of special celebrations planned for this year. For more details, call 1-800-Alabama and request a free Calendar of Events or visit our Web site at www.alabama.travel. Dates are subject to change, please call and verify prior to making your final travel plans.
 
  • Abbeville, May 8, Yatta Abba Day, 334-585-2273
  • Alabaster, June 4-5, Alabaster CityFest, 205-368-7386
  • Albertville, June 28-July 4, Happy Birthday Albertville, 256-891-8202
  • Alexander City, June 11-12, Alex City Jazz Fest, 256-234-3461
  • Aliceville, April 7-10, Aliceville Dogwood Festival, 205-373-6611
  • Andalusia, Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day Parade & Ceremony, 334-222-2030
  • Anniston, May 14-16, Anniston Military Heritage Weekend, 256-235-3995
  • Arab, Sept. 11, Arab 2010 Welcome Home Reunion, 256-586-3138
  • Ashford, Sept. 11, Harvest Day, 334-899-3366
  • Ashland, Oct. 8-10, Ashland Homecoming Weekend, 256-354-2121
  • Athens, Aug. 20-21, Athens Homecoming Celebration, 256-232-5411
  • Atmore, Oct. 23, Williams Station Day, 251-368-3305
  • Auburn, Nov. 6, Auburn University Homecoming, 334-501-3043
  • Bay Minette, July 3, Bay Minette’s Homecoming Celebration, 251-490-1941
  • Bayou La Batre, May 1-2, Blessing of the Fleet, 251-824-2415
  • Belk, April 23-24, Belk Bluegrass Festival, 205-932-8252
  • Berry, April 24, Berry Heritage Festival, 205-689-4562
  • Birmingham, Aug. 18, Centennial Celebration of Rickwood Field, 205-458-8161
  • Blountsville, Oct. 9, Homecoming Celebration, 205-429-2406 ext1
  • Boaz, Oct. 1-2, Boaz Harvest Festival, 256-593-8154
  • Brent, July 3, Heroes and Patriots Weekend, 205-361-0506
  • Brewton, June 19, Alabama Blueberry Festival, 251-809-1760
  • Brighton, June 25-27, Brighton Homecoming, 205-428-9547
  • Brookside, Nov. 6-7, St. Nicholas Food Festival, 205-674-9275
  • Brundidge, Oct. 30, Peanut Butter Festival, 334-735-2321
  • Camden, May 1, Camden Homecoming Weekend, 334-410-0620
  • Cardiff, May 2, Cardiff Cemetery Decoration Day, 205-631-1017
  • Center Point, April 10, Center Point Springs Festival, 205-853-6811
  • Centre, Oct. 2, Centre Fall Festival, 256-927-5222
  • Chelsea, March 6, Celebrate Chelsea, 205-441-1948
  • Cherokee, July 3, Independence Day Celebration, 256-383-0783
  • Chickasaw, Oct. 30, Founder’s Day, 251-767-3043
  • Childersburg, Sept. 25, CoosaFest, 256-378-5482
  • Clanton, June 25, Peach Jam Jubilee, 205-755-2400
  • Clay, May 8, Clay May Days, 205 681-0591
  • Clayton, May 1, Clayton Homecoming, 334-775-3254
  • Coffeeville, Dec. 4, Coffeeville Christmas Parade, 251-275-8684
  • Collinsville, Nov. 13, Turkey Trot, 256-524-2135
  • Columbia, May 1, Homecoming & 190th Birthday Celebration, 334-696-4417
  • Columbiana, June 25-26, Liberty Day, 205-620-6404
  • Cordova, Oct. 9, Discover Cordova Day, 205-483-9266
  • Cottonwood, May 1, Down Home Country Fest, 334-797-2954
  • Cowarts, May 1, Cowarts Homecoming Weekend, 334-792-8920
  • Crossville, Sept. 17-19, Crossville Harvest Festival, 256-528-7121
  • Cullman, May 14-15, Strawberry Days at the Market, 256-734-4799
  • Daleville, Nov. 13, National Heritage Week Celebration, 334-598-2345
  • Daphne, Sept. 25-26, Jubilee Festival, 251-621-9000
  • Dauphin Island, May 1-2, Dauphin Island: An Historic Journey, 251-861-5525
  • Daviston, Nov. 13, Daviston School Reunion, 256-395-4337
  • Decatur, Sept. 17-18, Riverfest Homecoming Weekend, 256-350-2028
  • Demopolis, Nov. 28-Dec 4, Christmas on the River, 334-289-0270
  • Dothan, May 1, Down Home Dothan, 334-793-3097
  • Dutton, Dec. 11, Dutton Community Christmas Parade, 256-228-6392
  • Elba, Nov. 12-13, Foggy Bottom Bar-B-Que Bash, 334-897-3125
  • Emelle, Oct. 2, Emelle Business Appreciation Day, 205-652-4385
  • Ensley, July 23-24, Function at Tuxedo Junction, 205-595-0562
  • Eufaula, Oct. 9, Eufaula Homecoming, 334-616-6170          
  • Eutaw, June 12, Family & Friends Community Day, 205-372-4212
  • Eva, Sept. 18-25, Eva Frontier Days, 256-796-0322
  • Evergreen, Oct. 9, Evergreen Sausage Festival, 251-578-1707
  • Fairfield, Aug. 7, Fairfield Music Festival, 205-369-1757
  • Fairhope, Nov. 18, Fairhope Tree Lighting Celebration, 251-929-1466
  • Falkville, Oct. 30, Falkville Fall Festival, 256-655-1347
  • Fayette, Oct. 1-2, Alabama Frog Level Festival, 205-932-4587
  • Five Points, Aug. 13-14, Back-to-School Homecoming, 334-864-7733
  • Flomaton, Oct. 22-24, Homecoming Weekend, 251-296-2431
  • Florala, June 26, Annual Masonic Day Celebration, 334-858-2799
  • Florence, June 5-6, Frontier Days, 256-740-4141
  • Foley, Nov. 5-7, Heritage Harbor Days, 251-943-1200
  • Franklin, May 15, Possum Day, 334-727-2111
  • Fulton, Oct. 2, Fulton’s Gospel Singing, 251-275-3155
  • Fultondale, Aug. 21, Fultondale Founder’s Day, 205-337-1629
  • Furman, April 17, Furman History Celebration, 334-682-9825
  • Gadsden, Sept. 3, First Friday Homecoming, 256-547-8696
  • Gainesville, June 19, Gainesville Day, 205-652-3393
  • Garden City, Oct. 9-10, Homecoming Weekend, 256-352-5408
  • Gardendale, April 16-17, Magnolia Festival, 205-608-1800
  • Gee’s Bend, May 1, Gee’s Bend May Day, 205-525-0399
  • Geneva, Sept. 24-25, Geneva Homecoming, 334-684-2144
  • Geraldine, July 10, Picnic in the Park, 256-659-2122
  • Glen Allen, Oct. 2, Dedication of Town Park/Walking Trail, 205-412-0060
  • Gordo, June 4-5, Mule Day/Chickenfest, 205-361-4435
  • Grant, Oct. 8, Dedication Day, DAR School, 256-728-4282
  • Graysville, July 10, Mayberry Day, 205-674-5643
  • Greenville, Oct. 28-30, Welcome Home-It’s a Greenville Reunion, 334-382-2647
  • Grove Hill, April 24, Old-Timer’s Weekend, 251-275-8684
  • Guin, May 8, Mayfest, 205-468-2277
  • Gulf Shores, Dec. 2, There is No Place Like Home for the Holidays, 251-968-1171
  • Guntersville, July 2-4, Celebrate Guntersville, 256-571-7560
  • Gurley, May 7-9, Celebrating Our Past, 256-797-8878
  • Haleyville, June 5, Haleyville Alumni Day, 205-486-3121
  • Hamilton, Oct. 30, Hamilton Fall Fest, 205-921-7786
  • Hanceville, Oct. 16, Mud Creek Marching Band Festival, 256-352-9799
  • Harpersville, July 31-Aug. 1, Harpersville Homecoming, 205-672-9961
  • Hartselle, Sept. 18, Depot Days Festival, 256-773-4370
  • Hayneville, July 17-18, Founders Day, 334-548-2128
  • Headland, Oct. 9, Harvest Festival, 334-693-3365
  • Heflin, May 29, A Heflin Homecoming, 256 463-2290
  • Helena, May 7-8, Buck Creek Festival, 205-663-2161, ext. 221
  • Hobson City, Aug. 14-15, 111th Hobson City Founders Day Celebration, 256-831-4940
  • Hodges, Oct. 2, Spirit of Hodges, 205-935-3445
  • Homewood, May 1, We Love Homewood, 205-871-5631
  • Hoover, May 2, Celebrate Hoover Day, 205-444-7732
  • Hueytown, Sept. 24-26, Hueytown Homecoming, 205-491-6033
  • Huntsville, Sept. 8, 50th Anniversary of Marshall Flight Center, 256-551-2368
  • Jackson, Nov. 6, Fall Festival, 251-246-2461
  • Jacksonville, Sept. 24-26, Jacksonville Homecoming Weekend, 256-435-7611
  • Jasper, June 19, Memorial Park Homecoming, 205-302-0001
  • Kansas, May 1, Kansas Day, 205-924-0072
  • Killen, Aug. 27-28, Killen Founder’s Day, 256-757-0469
  • Lanett, March, Small Town Celebration, 334-644-5208
  • Langston, April 25, Langston Homecoming Weekend, 256-228-7365
  • Leeds, Sept. 17-19, Gateway to a Region, 205-699-3760
  • Leighton, May 15, Rabbit Festival, 256-383-0783
  • Level Plains, April 30, 45th Anniversary of Incorporation, 334-347-1242
  • Lincoln, July 3, 100th Anniversary of the City of Lincoln, 205-966-6607
  • Linden, Dec. 10-11, ChiLLy Fest, 334-295-5051
  • Lineville, Nov. 6, Heritage Day, 256-396-2581
  • Liscomb, Aug. 13-15, Centennial Celebration, 205-428-6374
  • Littleville, Aug. 14, Littleville Fun Fest, 256-383-4401
  • Livingston, April 17, Sucarnochee Folk Festival, 205-652-7718
  • Locust Fork, Sept. 18, Locust Fork Founders Day, 205-681-5318
  • Lottie, May 31, Lottie Memorial Day Services, 251-867-2445
  • Lowndesboro, Apr 30-May 2, Lowndesboro Heritage Celebration, 334-278-3434
  • Madison, Oct. 2, Come Home to Madison, 256-772-5630
  • Magnolia Springs, July 4, Fourth of July Homecoming, 251-965-9888
  • Margaret, Oct. 16, Friendship Festival, 205-281-8055
  • Marion, April 23-24, Muckle’s Ridge Festival, 205-394-9979
  • Mathews, Oct. 16, Jonesville Community Day, 334-322-0030
  • McIntosh, Sept. 6, Homecoming & Labor Day Celebration, 251-944-2428
  • Mentone, May 14-16, Rhododendron Festival, 256-634-4066
  • Midway, July 3, Midway Homecoming, 334-529-3261
  • Millbrook, Dec. 4, Spirit of Christmas Parade, 334-285-6428
  • Monroeville, April 23-25, The Monroeville Reunion, 251-743-2879
  • Montevallo, Oct. 14-16, City of Montevallo Homecoming Weekend, 205-665-2555, ext 105
  • Montgomery, May 28-29, Jubilee Cityfest, 334-261-1114
  • Mooresville, Dec. 4, Mooresville Homecoming Celebration, 256-355-2683
  • Mt. Vernon, Sept. 12, Founder’s Day, 251-533-4901
  • Muscle Shoals, Oct. 2-3, Muscle Shoals Music City Fest, 256-383-0783
  • Natural Bridge, April 3, Highway 13 Yard Sale, 205-486-8449
  • New Hope, Oct. 8-9, New Hope Founder’s Day, 256-723-4118
  • Newville, May 9, Small Town Celebration, 334-693-0790
  • Northport, May 21-22, Northport Heritage Homecoming, 205-333-3002
  • Notasulga, April 24, Shiloh-Rosenwald Reunion, 334-728-1103
  • Oak Grove, May 22, Bloise Zeigler Day, 256 404 3637
  • Oak Hill, April 3-4, Oak Hill Homecoming, 251-746-2642
  • Oneonta, Oct. 22-24, Blount County Covered Bridge Festival, 205-625-6905
  • Opelika, July 17, Summer Celebration, 334-745-0466
  • Opp, Oct. 30, Opp Fest, 334-493-3070
  • Orange Beach, March 13-14, Festival of Art at Waterfront Park, 251-981-2787
  • Oxford, May 31-June 5, Oxford Homecoming Week, 256-835-0714
  • Ozark, Oct. 1-3, Claybank Jamboree, 334-774-9321
  • Pelham, May 1, Springtime at Ballantrae, 205-620-6402
  • Pell City, June 4-6, Pell City Homecoming, 205-338-2244
  • Peterman, Nov. 20, Peterman Station Arts & Crafts Festival, 251-564-2260
  • Pickensville, July 2-3, Fireworks & Heritage Celebration, 205-373-2068
  • Piedmont, Oct. 9, Foot of the Mountain Festival, 256-447-3594
  • Pine Apple, Nov. 27, Hunter Appreciation Day Festival, 251-746-2293
  • Pine Hill, Oct. 23, Pine Hill Depot Day, 334-963-4690
  • Pinson, April 3, Pinson CityFest, 205-503-8631
  • Prattville, April 30-May 1, Come Home to Prattville/Prattville CityFest, 334-365-7392
  • Priceville, Aug. 21, Priceville Annual Cruise-In, 256-355-5476
  • Red Bay, Sept. 18, FoundersFest, 256-356-4473
  • Red Level, July 3, Red Level July Homecoming, 334-427-5911
  • Repton, April 24, Heritage Homecoming Festival, 888-266-9217
  • Rogersville, June 5, Rogersville Heritage Homecoming, 256-247-5601
  • Romulus, April 3, Community Easter Egg Hunt, 205 332-3112
  • Russellville, Aug. 21, Watermelon Festival, 256-332-1760
  • Rutledge, April 24-25, Rutledge Homecoming Weekend, 334-335-5462
  • Sanford, May 15, Sanford Homecoming, 334-493-3888
  • Sardis City, May 29, Sardis City Celebration, 256-593-6492
  • Scottsboro, July 3-4, Celebration on the Tennessee River, 256-259-5500
  • Section, Sept. 6, Section Labor Day, 256-228-3280
  • Selma, Oct. 9, Riverfront Market Day, 334-875-7241, ext. 16
  • Sheffield, June 12, Sheffield Founders Day, 256-383-0783
  • Shorter, June 26, Town of Shorter Liberty Day, 334-727-9190
  • Sipsey, Oct. 16, Homecoming Day, 205-648-8754
  • Skyline, June 5, Skyline Day, 256-587-3335
  • Slocomb, June 19, Slocomb Tomato Festival, 334-886-2955
  • Somerville, May 1, Somerville Celebration Festival, 256-778-9801
  • Spanish Fort, May 1, Delta Woods & Water Expo, 251-621-8222
  • Stockton, May 22, Stockton Homecoming, 251-937-1574
  • Sulligent, Oct. 2, Old-Fashion Day, 205-698-9111
  • Susan Moore, June 19, Small Town Celebration, 205 466-7400
  • Sylvan Springs, June 26, Sylvan Springs Homecoming, 205-491-3210
  • Talladega, March 27, Talladega’s 175th Birthday Celebration, 256-362-8186, ext. 1026
  • Tallassee, Date TBA, Tallassee Homecoming Weekend, 334-283-6571
  • Tarrant, April 24, Homecoming 2010, 205-849-2803
  • Taylor, July 3, Taylor Homecoming Weekend, 334-677-5079
  • Thomaston, April 24-25, Pepper Jelly Day Festival, 334-627-3434
  • Thomasville, Oct. 23, Ghost Walk, 334-636-5827
  • Thorsby, Oct. 16, Thorsby Swedish Fest, 205-217-0978
  • Troy, April 24-25, Troyfest, 334-566-0177
  • Trussville, Feb. 20, I Love Trussville Week, 205-655-8566
  • Tuscaloosa, March 26-28, Dedication of Government Plaza, 205-248-5098
  • Tuscumbia, June 23-27, Helen Keller Festival, 256-383-0783
  • Tuskegee, May 28-30, Memorial Day Weekend Fly-In, 334-720-0514
  • Union Springs, April 24, Chunnenuggee Fair & Conecuh Experience, 334-850-1792
  • Valley, Aug. 7, Cotton Mill Reunion, 334-756-5256
  • Valley Grande, May 8, Founders Day, 334-872-0104
  • Verbena, Oct. 2, Verbena Reunion in the Park, 334-430-6647
  • Vestavia Hills, April 17, Dogwood Festival Fun Day, 205-978-3675
  • Vina, July 31, July Fest, 256-356-4996
  • Vincent, Nov. 29, Vincent’s Small Town Celebration, 205-672-2261
  • Wadley, Aug. 28, A Homecoming Celebration, 256-395-4752
  • Wedowee, June 6-13, Wedowee Arts Festival, 256-357-4488
  • West Blocton, June 25-26, Wild West Blocton Days, 205-938-7304
  • Westover, Dec. 11, Westover Christmas Parade, 205-678-9079
  • Wetumpka, April 16-17, River Fest, 334-567-1306
  • Whatley, Sept. 4, Fort Sinquefield Reenactment, 251-275-8684
  • Wilsonville, June 27, God and Country Celebration, 205-669-6180
  • Wilton, Dec. 7, Christmas Parade, 205-665-2021
  • Winfield, Sept. 24-26, Mule Day Festival, 205-487-2484
  • Woodstock, Oct. 2, Woodstock Homecoming, 205-938-9790
  • York, April 10, York Homecoming 2010, 205-499-4575