EVENTS – LakeLife 24/7 Magazine

Boo Bash 2026

The most fun you can have on Logan Martin Lake all year

Story by Roxann Edsall
Submitted Photos

It’s grown faster than kudzu on an abandoned hillside, but this growth has been far more welcome. Boo Bash on Logan Martin, the annual dockside trick-or-treating event, has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2022.

From 140 little goblins and their adults the first year to last year’s impressive 2,300 trick-or-treaters, it is clear the event is one people don’t want to miss. Mark your calendars now for Oct. 3from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There have been a few changes since the first year, and still more are in store for next month’s event. There will be trophies this year for first, second and third place in the pier decorating contest and for the costume contest.

Each pier will be assigned a number at registration to display on their pier or dock so that judges will be able to record their evaluations. “Angie Henson, who is the owner of Bikini Buddies is donating the trophies, said organizer Kelli Lasseter. “I’ve seen her concepts, and they’re really cool.”

The boat decorating contest from last year will be back again by popular demand. Once again, boats will need to register for that competition. Judging will be held at Lakeside Park.

This year, a costume contest will be held following Boo Bash at an after party at Tiki Hut, which will host a live band. Tiki Hut, which normally closes for the season after Labor Day, will be decorated for the event with a 28-foot pumpkin perfect for photo ops. “We get a lot of families coming in after Boo Bash,” said Michael Emerick, Tiki Hut manager. “Many of the kids have come out of their costumes by then and go swimming or to the play area.”

In their third year as title sponsor for the event, Tiki Hut helps to promote the event and its mission to help fund lake safety measures through Logan Martin Lake Protection Association (LMLPA). “It’s a good way to give back to the lake,” adds Emerick. “It gets families together to do something different on the lake and makes the lake a safer place with the LMLPA donation.”

Through sponsorships, Lasseter, co-organizer Sonya Hubbard and their “Boo Crew” are able to make significant contributions to LMLPA, which the organization uses to purchase lighted buoys to place in shallow or hazardous spots in the lake. Last year, Boo Bash presented LMLPA a check for $12,000 for their lighted buoy program.

The partnership with LMLPA began in 2024 after Lasseter met Blair Goodgame. “Blair was just phenomenal in helping us to come up with a solid marketing plan and how to partner with the city.” Goodgame connected Lasseter and Hubbard to Jeff Thompson, Pell City’s Community Engagement and Special Projects manager.

From that meeting came the addition of the Boo Slough at Lakeside Park, enabling those who either don’t want to get on the water or do not have access to a boat the chance to participate in Boo Bash. “Pell City really puts their resources into supporting Boo Bash and LMLPA,” said Lasseter.

The idea that developed into Boo Bash began five years ago when Lasseter and Hubbard were reminiscing about fun times they’d had years ago at a large neighborhood Halloween event in Leeds. They wondered if such a thing might work on the lake. “We were like, I wonder if people would want to do that by boat and maybe decorate their piers,” explained Lasseter.

After floating the idea on Facebook and getting a positive response, they got to work planning. Boo Bash was an instant hit. “I’ve heard of people bringing groups out on their boats to participate,” said Lasseter. “I’ve been told stories of families coming in from out of state for this and to spend the weekend with their family. There are some places that have community piers and potlucks.”

Community is why the Boo Crew works so hard to put on Boo Bash and it’s the very reason it works. “I think people up here enjoy a fun time on the water,” Lasseter adds. “They enjoy being around each other. I think we’re all about community. It’s part of the culture of Logan Martin Lake.”

It takes many in the community to make Boo Bash happen. Lasseter credits the many pier hosts, sponsors, and volunteers who make it work. Volunteers, she emphasized, are the only way they were able to make it past year two. “Without them, we would have had to stop,” she admits. “We have so much gratitude for everyone who is providing their resources out of pocket to bring this event to the community.”

“And when you hear a child say something like ‘this is the absolute best day of my life,” that’s not because of Kelli Lasseter or Sonya Hubbard or LMLPA or the city,” says Lasseter. “That’s because of our pier hosts creating such a memorable event.”

Pier hosts decorate their boathouses or docks in a Halloween theme and hand out treats to children on visiting boats. Often there are treats for boat dogs and for adults onboard. Getting the treats onto the boat takes a particular skill set or a specially designed “conveyance device” like a long-handled pool net.

There were 80 pier hosts for last year, down slightly from the year before. Two volunteers are specifically working on increasing the number of pier hosts, particularly in the upper end of the lake closer to Riverside and Lincoln. In response to feedback from pier hosts, the event time has been condensed to three hours, rather than four.

As with any event on the water, safety is a huge concern. Organizers have requested additional presence from ALEA to patrol the waters during the event. “Safety is absolutely number one,” stresses Lasseter. “If something happened connected to this event, there’d be no more Boo Bash and, you know, it would be devastating.”

The Boo Crew is excited to put the final touches on Boo Bash 2026. As it grows, Lasseter stresses that they want to maintain the integrity and spirit of the event – creating a joyous event for children, families and pets. It’s a chance to have fun with lake community and to enjoy a “last hurrah” for the lake season.

Lakeside Live Musicfest 2026

A day of fun and entertainment on Logan Martin Lake

When the gates open at Pell City Lakeside Park Sept. 19, Lakeside Live will welcome thousands to a brand new year and a fun-filled, music-packed day on the shores of Logan Martin Lake. It’s actually a host of events all rolled into one special day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It’s a music festival featuring all genres. It’s a massive car show. It’s rides and games for the kids. And it’s a classic competition pitting police against firefighters in Battle of the Badges. Food trucks and vendors of all types line the grounds of the park offering their specialties for all to take their pick and enjoy.

Lakeside Live has become a Logan Martin tradition created by the Five19 Foundation and presented this year by Union State Bank and dozens of other sponsors.

So, join the fun. It’s free admission and a family friendly day to remember.

Coosa River Swim Guide

The Fall fishing season is upon us and Coosa Riverkeeper is here to give all of our anglers the next tips and tricks, so you can catch your next personal best!

In reservoirs, shad and smaller baitfish will shift from our creeks and skinny water into the main lake where water temperatures are more stable from day to day. Chances are, game fish are not far behind!
When the water temperature drops, slow your roll! Since fish are cold blooded, their metabolism slows as the water temperature drops and they move more slowly. Retrieve steady and slow to more accurately mimic small fish and critters!
Consider fishing for different species! During colder seasons, some fish are more dormant while others become more active.
Once the leaves in the water begin to decompose, the water becomes stained by tannins, making it darker. It is typically best to use your darker colors once this process begins. Rootbeer and pumpkinseed green are going to be a hit this time of year. Darker water makes our darker baits more visible!
Suspending jerkbaits and ned rigs are going to be your friend! Lures like these allow you to slow your roll and stop for brief periods of time to tempt slower moving fish.

Fishing for more info? Our website features information about fish habits, diet, and more! You can view maps to help you find your next fishing spots, marinas, and places to eat! Check it out at CoosaRiver.org/FishGuide to learn more.

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Freedom Fest

Drawing huge crowds in Gadsden

Story by Paul South
Submitted photos

Had the Founding Fathers been on the banks of the Coosa River July 3 and 4 for Gadsden’s Freedom Fest celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the Republic they created, they would have been blown away.

A flotilla of boats bobbed in the water; their decks filled with happy revelers almost shoulder to shoulder. It was the same story on the riverbank, as the crowd arrived early to get a great view of the fiery illuminations that hours later would light up the nighttime sky.

Conservative estimates put the crowd at 15,000, but that number may have been closer to 20,000.

“It was just crazy,” Gadsden’s Director of Commercial Development and Community Affairs John Moore said.

Not far away, adventurous passengers boarded hot air balloons painted every color of the rainbow, the stars of a Hot Air Balloon Festival. Such modes of transportation weren’t seen in America until January 1793, nearly 17 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In addition to local audiences, Gadsden’s aerial armada of balloons and the city’s fireworks were seen by the nation, broadcast live on the CBS Evening News. Imagine what American revolutionaries would have pondered about television. But that’s another story.

Folks ate and drank and listened to music from the Black Jacket Symphony, tunes the likes of which John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock and their fellow citizens could never have busted a move to in their time. Yacht Rock, after all, was nothing like Mozart.

Still, it’s a safe bet that the men who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the new nation would have loved the scene. After all, fireworks exploding into blossoms of fire and light in the night sky, folks of every faith, color and creed speaking with unabashed freedom and delight, was the spark that ignited the flame of liberty in Philadelphia.

Black Jacket Symphony performs at Freedom Fest

Fast forward to July 25-26 on South Third Street near Riverview Regional Medical Center, that same life, liberty and pursuit of happiness would have been wet and wild at Gadsden’s Slide the City Back to School Bash, an event aimed at giving kids and their families another memory to cherish as summer waned and a new school year approached. A 1,000-foot water slide created a huge splash, with 1,400 hitting the slide, a last bit of fun before summer’s end.

“It was a sellout, “Moore said. “It was a huge success.”

What would the Founders think of all these events, not just on Independence Day, but throughout the year in Gadsden?

“I would hope that they would be proud,” Moore said. “I hope that the Founding Fathers would sit back and look and see how the country has progressed over the years. This is beyond anything they would have ever dreamt of at the end of the day.

“They didn’t think about quality of life, or hot air balloon festivals. I doubt that even crossed their minds at the time,” Moore said.

“To come back years later and to see a foundation of what they built and what came about from those signatures they put on that page that day, I hope they’d be proud of what we’ve done.”

Little Tomatina

Where tomatoes fly and memories grow

Story by Molly Gilbert
Photos by Mackenzie Free

Just before sunset, Neely Henry Lake begins to settle into its evening rhythm. The water grows still. Pontoon boats drift offshore. Music floats across the lake as families unfold lawn chairs and children eagerly wait for the signal that the fun is about to begin.

At the center of the excitement sits an unusual arena built from hay bales and fencing – a playful reminder that this isn’t an ordinary fall festival.

Then the first tomato flies.

Within seconds, bright red tomatoes arc through the air as laughter erupts across Greensport RV Park and Marina. Children dodge behind hay bales. Teenagers launch playful volleys across the arena. Adults discover they’re just as competitive – and just as willing to laugh at themselves – as the kids.

For one evening each fall, Greensport RV Park and Marina transforms into Alabama’s own version of La Tomatina.

Now entering its third year, Alabama’s Little Tomatina has become one of the region’s most distinctive community events, blending local agriculture, lakeside scenery, live music and family fun into an experience that’s uniquely Alabama.

Its story, however, begins long before the first tomato was ever thrown.

Few visitors realize that Greensport RV Park and Marina is just a small part of a much larger farm that has remained in the same family for eight generations – a legacy recognized through its designation as an Alabama Bicentennial Farm. For owners Dave and Stephanie Evans, preserving that heritage has always been just as important as creating memorable events for the community.

Stephanie recalls that the original spark came from a family conversation.

“My sister-in-law, Beth Evans, was talking about having a tomato festival with our neighboring Chandler Mountain community,” she said.

That idea quickly evolved.

“Dave heard that idea and, of course, had to ‘up the ante,’” Stephanie said. “Between Google searches and Dave’s ever-turning mind, he stumbled upon Spain’s Tomatina Festival. He said, ‘That’s it! We are going to do a Tomatina festival – Alabama style.’”

While Spain may have provided the inspiration, everything else reflects the character of northeast Alabama.

Instead of winding city streets, guests gather on Greensport RV Park and Marina’s island overlooking Neely Henry Lake. Instead of centuries-old buildings, the backdrop is rolling mountains, open water, and brilliant Alabama sunsets. Hay bales surround the throwing arena, creating playful obstacles for participants to duck behind between throws.

“It’s all about trying to intertwine unique events with our family and property roots,” Stephanie said.

That philosophy extends beyond the scenery.

For the third consecutive year, Smith Tomato Farm on nearby Chandler Mountain has donated the tomatoes used during the event, creating another meaningful connection between Greensport RV Park and Marina and one of the area’s best-known agricultural communities.

“We are so proud to have Smith Tomato Farm donate all of our throwing tomatoes,” Stephanie said.

Even after the event ends, the tomatoes continue serving a purpose. Those still suitable for cooking are offered to anyone interested in canning or preparing meals. The rest are enjoyed by Greensport RV Park and Marina’s petting zoo animals and local wildlife.

For visitors attending their first Little Tomatina, Ashley Rogers, Greensport RV Park and Marina’s director of public relations, offers one important piece of advice.

“The first thing that newcomers need to expect is that they will get messy!”

Comfortable clothing is encouraged because the evening involves much more than simply tossing tomatoes. Guests can expect running, slipping, sliding, dancing, and plenty of laughter as the tomato battle unfolds.

The festivities begin with live music by Gadsden favorite, Parris, while food trucks provide plenty of opportunities to grab dinner before or during the event. Guests purchase wristbands at the gate – or in advance online – and can also order commemorative event T-shirts before arriving.

When it’s time for the main attraction, participants enter one of three age divisions: children ages 10 and under, teens ages 11 through 17, or adults.

Throwers purchase bags of tomatoes before stepping into the arena.

The rules are intentionally simple.

Tomatoes should be smashed before they’re thrown, making every hit more messy than painful. Some participants wear disposable ponchos or protective eyewear, while others proudly embrace the full experience.

And if someone finishes the evening covered head to toe in tomato juice?

“The lake is always there,” Ashley said, noting that guests are welcome to rinse off before heading home.

Not everyone participates inside the arena, however.

Many visitors simply enjoy watching the action unfold while relaxing beside the lake. Others come primarily for the music, food and festive atmosphere. Like many successful lake events, Little Tomatina offers something for everyone, whether they’re throwing tomatoes or cheering from the sidelines.

One of the evening’s biggest crowd-pleasers doesn’t involve the arena at all.

“My favorite moment would have to be allowing attendees to pie us in the face with tomato pies,” Stephanie said. “I get the most enjoyment out of seeing other people participate and have fun with their family and friends. This has truly been the most unique and most fun event we put on each year.”

Dave sees something even deeper in the tradition.

“I think my favorite part of the event is knowing the connection to the ag-related fields that we are rooted in,” he said. “I also love seeing the enjoyment people have just from something as simple as throwing a tomato. As a child, we would always throw rotten vegetables at each other and have the most fun. To see others love recreating something similar brings me joy.”

That sense of shared joy appears to resonate with visitors as well.

“Last year’s Tomatina at Greensport was a very entertaining event,” said attendee Owen Whisenant of Blount County. “I enjoyed just being part of the fun and the community.”

As the event enters its third year, the Evans family remains committed to making each festival a little better than the last.

“For us, the most important thing is to continuously improve in every way we can,” Stephanie said. “We want the event to be better and more entertaining each year. Listening to customer feedback and implementing those changes is very important to us. We want to keep it family friendly and affordable for everyone.”

That commitment may explain why Little Tomatina feels less like a novelty and more like a tradition in the making.

It’s an evening where local agriculture meets lake life. Where live music mixes with laughter. Where neighbors become teammates – or friendly targets – for a few unforgettable moments. And where one simple idea has grown into another reason for families to gather along the shores of Neely Henry Lake.

As the last tomatoes are thrown and the music continues into the evening, the mess quickly washes away. The memories, however, have a way of sticking around long after the stains are gone.

Hokes Bluff CityFest

Free family fun, live music, rides and much more

Story by Paul South
Submitted photos

It began in 2014 as what could be called a 30-day miracle, a community party that went from dream to reality in a month.

That miracle, known as Hokes Bluff CityFest, celebrates its 12^th anniversary Sept. 26. The free, family-friendly festival features hot music, classic cars, great food, arts and crafts, rides for the kids and more. The festival skipped 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event culminates with fireworks illuminating the night sky above Etowah County’s easternmost incorporated city. Some 3,000 people packed last year’s event.

A brief history

In 2014, Hokes Bluff Mayor Scott Reeves was a newly appointed member of the city council, filling the seat formerly held by his late father, longtime city leader Gary Reeves. Gadsden had decided to discontinue Riverfest, and John Moore – then on the Hokes Bluff governing board – floated the idea of CityFest to fill the breach.

“We got that thing together 30 days out,” Reeves said. “We got sponsors, got vendors and put that thing together in one month and made it work. It was a heck of a festival.”

He added, “It’s been really nice for our citizens and our surrounding communities to bring the family and have a free day. It’s free, except for what people spend at our vendors. That is because of our sponsors that support it. As long as we can (generate that support), we’re going to keep it free.”

This year’s major sponsors include Glencoe Hokes Bluff Funeral Home, Harmony Hydration, Buffalo Rock, Wiregrass Construction, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism, Peoples Independent Bank, Meridian Waste, Piggly Wiggly, Riverview Regional Medical Center, Ronnie Hopkins Ford, Hokes Bluff Drug Shop and Etowah County Commissioners Johnny Grant and Mike Powell.

“As important as the big sponsors are, every sponsor is as important,” Reeves said. “They help to keep our event free. “The free admission takes on added significance in the current economy.

“ We think that’s a good draw,” Reeves said. “I saw a statistic a while back that a lot of families are living paycheck to paycheck, trying to keep groceries on the table and keep the air conditioner and the heat running. We thought if we could get enough sponsors together for the stage and the kids’ rides, we could keep it free and give families an opportunity to do something like this without having to go into their wallets except to buy something from a vendor.”

The event begins at 7 a.m. with an estimated 100 custom street rods and classic cars. In the past, as many as 150 gleaming vehicles have taken part. The Hokes Bluff Lions Club will also host a breakfast at $5 per person.

“Golly bum, it’s a hearty breakfast,” Reeves said. “Bacon, eggs, gravy, you won’t leave hungry.”

Rides and vendors open at 10 a.m. at the city’s softball complex. Some 60 to 70 vendors are expected, selling food, drink, arts and crafts.

It’s a big day,” Reeves said.

Even as a small-town festival, CityFest has managed to draw some big-time entertainment down through the years, including country superstars Lorrie Morgan, Shenandoah, Confederate Railroad and the late Joe Diffie.

Rising country artist Drake White, a Hokes Bluff native, has toured with country star Riley Green and is a past performer at CityFest.

This year, the acts come from closer to home and from all musical genres. For example:

Headliner Lisa Perkins & the E-Lusion Band Motown & Soul Revue brings some Motor City magic to the stage, covering classics from The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smoky Robinson and the Miracles and more. Get ready to move your feet to this great band as they groove to the soul tunes from the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Women Icons of Rock covers classics from rock legends Heart, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar and other female legends from the 1970s and 80s.

A local favorite returns to Hokes Bluff when Still Broke Band returns to CityFest.

Another local favorite, Albert Simpson, also makes a return appearance. Simpson is a popular performer across the Southeast and is a regular at the Gulf Coast’s iconic Flora-Bama.

Up and coming country artist Jake Steed, who offers a mix of bluegrass and country along with Gospel for audiences across the nation.

And if the music makes you hungry, there’ll be something for every taste.

After an evening of music, the festival closes at 10 p.m., capped off by a fireworks display, a celebration of America’s 250^th birthday.

CityFest is an integral part of the leadership’s vision for Hokes Bluff.

“Hokes Bluff has always been a quiet, family-type city,” Reeves said. “I’ve lived here all my life, and I pretty much know what the citizens want. They don’t want a city that’s bursting at the seams. They like the low-key atmosphere here. Our crime rate is really, really low.”

He added, “ We realize that the city has to have revenue to enable the first responders, police and fire to do their job and keep the infrastructure up. I like to see that our buildings are full right now and people shopping local. We support our schools. It’s just a nice place to call home. It’s a great place.”

He sees CityFest as a reward for the people of Hokes Bluff and surrounding areas that support local businesses. “It allows them to have a day of fun and excitement and enjoy the day together,” Reeves said. “It’s a way to let them know we appreciate their support.”

The festival isn’t all that’s happening in this community. Hokes Bluff has revitalized seven acres of city-owned waterfront property, at the site of the Hokes Bluff ferry. Two new pavilions, electricity, picnic tables, a new pier, LED lighting and a floating dock. The site also features a playground and a paved parking lot.

“We have completely transformed that site,” Reeves said. “It’s really come a long way. It’s really, really nice.”

There’s also a historical marker sharing the ferry’s history,

Reeves’ pride shines through when he talks about his hometown.

“We may not be an Atlanta, Georgia, or a Chattanooga, Tennessee, but we do offer some amenities for our citizens that gives them a good quality of life,” he said. “We want (out of towners) to come give us a visit.”

How would his late father view the festival and the changes in Hokes Bluff like the ferry project? “He would be very pleased,” Reeves said. “Dad (a 1958 graduate of Hokes Bluff High School) was all about Hokes Bluff. He would be very well pleased with the way we’ve progressed and the way we’ve carried on.”

Coosa River Swim Guide

Jump into Swim Guide 2026! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Coosa Riverkeeper and our team of Seasonal Employees take to the water to test popular swimming holes, so you can get the skinny before you dip!

What are we testing for? E. coli, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and more! We use a simple stoplight system so you know when is the best time to jump in! Green = low E. coli, yellow = moderate E. coli, red = high E. coli.

Swim Guide helps families and communities make informed decisions on where it is safe to swim, emphasizes the importance of clean water, and where we like to jump in for a swim! All of the data collected from this program is made free to the public all through the summer.

Check out our social media every Friday at noon to see the current status of over 40 swimming sites across the Coosa! We can’t wait to see you on the water!

Follow Coosa Riverkeeper on Facebook & Instagram @CoosaRiverkeeper
For more information, swim over to www.CoosaRiver.org.

Lakeside Live

Music festival and more returning to Logan Martin Lake

Story by Paul South
Photos by Strides Media

Tricked-out cars, tasty eats, talented artists, crafts artisans and red-hot local bands return to Lakeside Park this fall for the sixth annual Lakeside Live Musicfest, set for Sept. 19,

The free event that’s a can’t-miss fall festival in the Logan Martin area, also benefits local charities and celebrates veterans and local first responders.

Musicfest Executive Director Casey Cambron is pumped up for another great family-friendly event, which last year drew some 6,000 people, generating about $25,000 for local charities.

“Our goal every year is to donate at least $20,000 to at least one major charity,” Cambron said. “That’s always a goal.”

He added, “We’re going to help as many people as we can. Our goal is to give back to our community where we can have the most impact. We’re going to donate to multiple charities, of course. Last year we donated to nine organizations. Some were charities, some were organizations like (Pell City) Parks and Recreation to help with park upkeep.”

Battle of the Badges a fierce competition

The festival, put on by the nonprofit Five16 Foundation Cambron founded, helps veterans’ groups and child-focused charities as well.

Food and drink, apparel, arts and crafts will be available for sale. Admittance is free, thanks to the generous support of business sponsors, large and small, ranging from Keith Clements and Lakeside Boathouse, Rodney’s Marine and LakeLife 24/7, to committed small businesses like Reba’s Weiner Wagon.

As an aside, Reba’s enters a muscle car in the Lakeside Musicfest car show each year.

“Every time I walked in the door, whether it was a small sponsor or a big sponsor, they were in. The community supports it, and we could not have this show without it,” Cambron said. “All of them tied together makes it great.”

Music for every taste – from country to R&B to rock – will provide the backbeat for the festival. The gates open at 10 a.m.

Popular Birmingham-based band Deputy Five will be the headliner, covering tunes by country legends like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to Southern rock, like Lynyrd Shynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.

“We try to have music that hits all the genres that hits home for anybody who comes out,” Cambron said.

As for the festival’s annual car show, some 250 vehicles are expected. Not only does the competition reflect competitors’ pride in their cars and trucks, it also puts community pride on display. The Pell City High School wrestling team helps with logistics of the popular event within an event.

“I’m a car guy. I’ve hosted many, many car shows.” Cambron said. “The car scene really turns out for this event and really, really supports it big. That’s one of the coolest factors of it, seeing a lot of cool cars come out, whether it’s a lifted car or lifted truck, low cars or low trucks to classic cars. It’s all over the place. We raise a lot of money on just the car show side.”

Entry for the car show is $20 per vehicle. It’s a judged show, with 75 or more awards given to winners.

For Denise Olivastri, a member of the Foundation’s board of directors, it’s more than a fun event, it’s a celebration of giving back to the community, supporting local causes in Pell City and across St. Clair County.

“This is more than just a music festival,” she said. “Giving back feels great, because it connects us to something larger than ourselves, and we couldn’t achieve our mission and vision without our generous sponsors, donors, vendors and all (the people) that attend and support us every year.”

And in America’s 250^th year of independence, the festival represents the spirit of Pell City and St. Clair County, Cambron said. A big part of the festival, the annual “Battle of the Badges,” a good-natured competition between police and firefighters, helps build bonds with the community, Cambron said. “Usually in town, most people don’t get to know our police and fire department. It’s usually in a stressful situation. It’s fun to get to know our police and firefighters,” he said. “The people get to know first responders in a positive light.”

To celebrate the nation’s birthday at the same time makes it even more spcial. “As a group, we love our community so much. Two-fifty is a cool number for what we do. We love to support our police and fire departments. We love to support our veterans in the area, whether it’s a big year like this one or not. We really cherish what we have here.”

For Cambron, who’s hosted successful car shows across America, the festival says something about the magic of St. Clair County.

“I myself have been a lot more involved in our community with Chamber (of Commerce) events, with Rotary events, and I’ve started to see that Pell City and St. Clair County are unlike anywhere I’ve ever been,” he said. “Nothing has been as successful as the way I’ve done things in Pell City. I think that’s because in Pell City, there’s a different atmosphere. There’s a larger love for community here than I’ve ever seen anywhere else.”

Cambron defines the tremendous response. “Every year, we hope to have a good turnout, and every year we do. It doesn’t surprise us. It humbles us.”

The mission of Lakeside Musicfest and the Five16 Foundation is simply, “to shine a light in the world,” Cambron said.

The event brings “energy, excitement and hometown pride to Pell City and St. Clair County.” Referencing the mission, Olivastri added, “Events like ours shine a positive light in our city, in addition to generating tourism and encouraging economic activity. It’s a wonderful feeling to see the impact it has.”

Coosa River Ramble

A fun day and a better future for our beloved river

Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by Bob Crisp

As each stroke of the paddle in the first ever Coosa River Ramble brought racers closer to the finish line, it pushed the Coosa River closer to a better future.

It was more than a race. It was a celebration of the Coosa River and the people working to keep it clean, healthy and thriving.

“It benefits our mission to protect the Coosa River and the communities that rely on it,” said Director of Community Engagement Abby Brown.

Logan Martin Lake and Lakeside Park became the destination point for about 60 racers from around the state and out-of-state for this new event to raise funds for Coosa Riverkeeper and its environmental efforts.

Kayakers and paddleboarders took to the waters just beyond the park’s beach, and it drew a cheering crowd of onlookers, fans and family. There were vendors and food trucks and prizes to give away. “It was a great time,” Brown said. “Tons of families came with the racers.”

Of course, it was June in Alabama, so “it was very, very hot, but a beautiful day,” she noted. In addition to cheering sections from the shoreline, residents cheered from docks up and down the race route.

The 24K course took paddlers to Coosa Island Marina and Towboat US and back, quite a trek racers were able to complete in about two hours. Winners captured titles in the 24K, 10K and 5K categories. The 5K and 10K versions were off the main channel near Lakeside Park. A 3K and 5K “fun float” used the same course without the pressure of competition.

The response to this inaugural event was “fantastic,” Brown said, noting that first responder volunteers and volunteers from Honda strengthened the community’s impressive show of support.

Butts to Go donated and served barbecue and trimmings for the racers and volunteers. Gift card prizes came from Dock’s and Daily Bagel. Sponsors and donors not only made the event possible, they helped make it a success story – financially and environmentally.

“We are so thankful for the community engagement,” Brown said. “We hope to continue to engage the paddler community again very soon.”

As part of its priorities, Coosa Riverkeeper patrols five lakes and dozens of creeks to identify and document pollution – and beauty – and keep abreast of what is going on in the river system.

It educates the public about the value of the Coosa River to its community, economy and environment.

Coosa Riverkeeper is a strong advocate for the river and the “thousands of families who rely on it for fun, food, and property value,” it maintains. “A river has a head and a mouth, but it does not have a voice to speak for itself in our classrooms, courtrooms, and town halls.”

That’s Coosa Riverkeeper’s job.

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Coosa Riverkeeper, go to: CoosaRiverkeeper.org.

Arts Trail on Broad

Gadsden museum finding new ways to promote art for generations to come

When Ray Wetzel was in high school in Hokes Bluff, there was no art program. But through encouragement and mentoring, he followed his passion into college and emerged with a Fine Arts degree in painting.

Now, as director of Gadsden Museum of Art, Wetzel wants to provide to young people opportunities he lacked early on by promoting the arts in new and innovative ways.

May 8-9, art will take center stage – or in this case, center street – as Arts Trail on Broad arrives for its inaugural event sponsored by Alabama Arts Trail, City of Gadsden and Gadsden Museum of Art.

The Arts Trail is a project of the Alabama Visual Arts Network which has been linking artists’ studios around the state for more than 60 years.

Arts Trail on Broad was “birthed” from the successes of Gadsden Arts Council’s Artoberfest in October in Alabama City, which seeks to bring arts to life around different arts organizations, such as music, dance and theatre.

Wetzel is a board member with Alabama Visual Arts Network and wanted to merge the idea with art as the centerpiece of a Broad Street event. It brings art groups to Gadsden in various mediums. There will be sculptures, murals, metal and iron works, painting and more with artist demonstrations up and down Broad Street.

Demonstrating artists will actively share their creative process with the public (for example: live painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, fiber, mixed media), while also having the opportunity to present and sell their work.

Friday’s events begin at 11 with demonstrations for high school students. The first leg of the two-day event is talking to young people – professional artists sharing their experiences, said Wetzel. “Art is a billion-dollar industry. It’s not a dead- end career. We want to encourage children to go into this field.”

Alabama Contemporary Art Center will bring “big name artists” to Gadsden, Wetzel said, heightening the draw of this new event.

True Colors, an Etowah County Schools art program for underserved students, will have an exhibition reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gadsden Museum of Art, and free music of all types will be performed throughout the weekend.

Entertainment is nonstop on Friday night.

Maypole performance by the Downtown Dance Conservatory (6 p.m.) at Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts
Piano concert by Eden Brent (7 p.m.) at Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts
Me & My Knife (8 p.m.) and
Quintron and Miss Pussycat (9 p.m.) on the street by the Gadsden Museum of Art

Live music will be performed by:

Sam and The Big Boys (6:30 p.m.)
Phantom Eye (7:30 p.m.)
The Laborers (8:30 p.m.)
Brotha Josh (9:30 p.m.)
The Golden Flakes (10:30 p.m.)

Saturday begins at 9 a.m. with a Mother’s Day Market with over 30 art vendors, Chompshop Cardboard Sculpture Contest and directed drawing workshops.

From 11-1, Jacksonville State University will offer portfolio reviews and critiques. And all day long will feature a bounce house and food trucks. l

Editor’s Note: Performance times are subject to change. Please visit this page for the latest show times: gadsdenmuseum.com/all-events