NEELY HENRY NEWS – LakeLife 24/7 Magazine

In the Kitchen with the Kendricks

Couple finds the perfect lake home in Southside

Story by Scottie Vickery
Photos by Bob Crisp

Dale and Ronnye Kendrick failed at downsizing. When they moved to Neely Henry Lake from Memphis eight years ago, the plan was to get something smaller than the 3,800-square-foot home with two levels that they were leaving. But the minute Ronnye stepped foot into the house in the Lake Forest subdivision in Southside that they eventually bought, Dale knew their plan was out the window.

“As soon as Ronnye walked into the foyer, she started saying, ‘Oh, I love this house,’” Dale said. “I told her she hadn’t even seen the house – we had just walked through the front door. We were trying to downsize, and we didn’t need all this space.”

Now that they have it, though – all 5,300 square feet and three stories – neither one of them could imagine being anywhere else. They’ve filled their home with family mementos, treasures from all over the world, and their very own indoor golf course.

As much as they love the inside, they both agree that the best feature is just outside the window. “The first thing I do in the morning is walk straight to the windows and look at the lake,” Ronnye said. “It’s just beautiful.”

Tucked below the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Neely Henry has been a balm for their souls, especially when they were battling cancer at the same time about seven years ago. The beautiful view brought a sense of peace and helped to ground them each day. “We get the most beautiful sunsets right over those mountains,” Dale said. “And when we get a full moon, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

Joining forces

Although this is the first time either has lived on the water full time, Dale and Ronnye are not strangers to lake life. Dale grew up on Old Coal City Road, about halfway between Coal City and Pell City, home to Logan Martin Lake. Ronnye’s family had a lake house in Mississippi when she was growing up.

Dale left home at 18 after finding work with a railroad company in Georgia, and he worked most of his tenure there in sales. The bulk of his career was with a transportation logistics company, and his job eventually took him to Memphis, where he met Ronnye.

They each had two children, and Dale’s daughter, Sonya, and Ronnye’s daughter, Jodi, went to school together and became great friends. At some point, the girls arranged for Sonya to spend the weekend with Jodi at her grandparents’ house, and Dale called Ronnye “to make sure nobody was pulling my leg.”

They began dating shortly after the phone call, when the kids were 14,15, 16 and 17, and Ronnye and Dale married five years later. Now they’ve celebrated their 33^rd anniversary, and the kids are grown with families of their own and are scattered all over the South.

Jodi is in Milton, Florida, and Ronnye’s daughter, Mindy, lives in Clarksville, Tennessee. Sonya lives in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, while Dale’s son, also named Dale, is in Knoxville. Although the house is larger than they were looking for, Dale and Ronnye said it’s great to have plenty of space when the whole family comes to visit.

Ronnye and Dale break out their favorite family recipes when they come or whenever there’s a neighborhood cookout. Everyone loves Ronnye’s Frozen Cranberry Cups, and a recipe for baked beans they got from a dear friend is always a hit. “Even people who say they don’t like baked beans love them,” Dale said. He has a rice dish that earns rave reviews, as well. Sometimes he serves it as a side dish, and sometimes he adds chicken or shrimp to it to make it a main dish.

Treasure trove

Recipes aren’t the only things that are special. A number of the treasures in the Kendricks’ home were collected by Ronnye’s parents, Murray and Edye Reiter, on some of their many travels. Her father owned a travel agency and art gallery, so many of the paintings adorning the walls have special meaning.

Ronnye followed in her father’s footsteps and worked in the travel industry for 47 years, and she owned her own travel agency for 13 of them. “She’s planned all of my guilt trips,” Dale quipped.

A porcelain Lladro elephant from Spain has a place of honor in the foyer while a huge teak elephant from Thailand takes up residence in Dale’s office. Hand-carved from one piece of wood, the statue is so heavy, it’s nearly impossible to slide it across the floor.

“Her father told me, ‘I’d love for you to have something of mine,’” Dale recalled. “We were just dating at the time, but I told him if he was serious, I would love to have this elephant. I am just amazed at the detail.”

Among one of Ronnye’s most treasured collections is her assortment of decorative ostrich eggs. The hinged eggs are hand-decorated and feature ornate carvings, velvet linings, jewels and crystals. “Every time I really messed up, I had to buy her one,” Dale said with a laugh.

Figuring out where to display their collections seemed daunting at first. The weekend after their furniture and all their boxes were delivered from Memphis, Ronnye and Dale had to leave town for their grandson’s college graduation. The thought of coming back to their unorganized home seemed overwhelming.

Paula Robertson, owner of Twigs and Roses Homeplace in Gadsden, came to their rescue. She had helped the Kendricks select some new furniture for their home, and she wanted to help. “Paula told us to leave her a key, and she’d unpack everything and put it away,” Ronnye said.

They came home to a perfectly-styled home, organized kitchen, artwork that was hung, and linens on all the beds. “We owe everything to her,” Ronnye said. Paula hung two of Ronnye’s favorite pieces in bathrooms – one in the powder room and another over the tub in the primary bath. “I never would have thought to put them there, but to me, they’re just perfect.”

Paula also found two large egret prints that she hung on the stairwell, and Dale bought Ronnye a painting of a heron for her birthday that is displayed in their bedroom. “Since we moved here, one of our favorite things is the birds,” Ronnye said. They especially love the pelicans that show up at Neely Henry each spring. “They’re fascinating to watch,” Dale said.

A matter of course

Moving to the lake was especially fun for Dale, who loves to fish. About four years ago, though, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and his doctor told him he didn’t need to be out in a boat by himself anymore.

Tasked with finding a new hobby, Dale built a putting course that’s 21 feet by 16 feet in one of the garages. Ronnye already had a “she shed,” a room where she wraps presents and stores all of her decorations for various holidays, so Dale decided to fix up a spot of his own. “When I started building it, I had no drawings and no plans,” Dale said, adding that he figured it out as he went along.

Enjoying a round of miniature golf on course they built

He decided to put three holes on each end of the green. He knew he didn’t want it to be completely flat, so he fashioned an incline from 2-by-12 boards that he shaved down at an angle on both sides. He was nearly finished with the construction when he realized it would be necessary to drill through the concrete floor to make the holes. That was a headache Dale didn’t want, so he built each end of the course up about 4 inches with wood to accommodate the holes.

“Every morning, we play three rounds of Hollywood Gin (a card game similar to gin rummy), and then we come here and play 18 holes,” Dale said. He explained that he and Ronnye putt from each hole on one end of the course to all three holes on the other end, which makes 9 holes. Then they cross to the other side of the course and do it all over again, making a total of 18 holes.

Dale and Ronnye aren’t the only ones who enjoy a good game of garage golf. It’s a big draw whenever they entertain family or friends. “We even had scorecards printed up,” Ronnye said. “Everybody loves to play.”

These days, though, Dale is back to splitting time between golf and fishing. His health has improved, and his doctor gave him the OK to fish again earlier this year. That meant he was on the hunt for the perfect boat.

“I knew I wanted a boat with stick steering so I could go to a fishing spot, push the lever down and put the poles up,” Dale said. “I’d never even have to get out of the seat.” The boats he looked at cost more than he wanted to spend, though. “At my age, I didn’t think I’d get that amount of use out of it,” he said.

He eventually met a young man who had inherited a boat from his grandfather. The boat was just what Dale was looking for, but the man didn’t want to part with it. Dale offered to lease it, fix it up, and one day return it to their family.

When the man learned that Dale was a Vietnam veteran affected by Agent Orange, he decided that no money would be exchanged. “His grandfather was in Vietnam and was also disabled from Agent Orange. “He told me he and his wife had talked about it, and they thought his grandfather would want me to have this boat,” Dale said. “It was heartwarming.”

Dale added a new electric trolling motor and will eventually return the boat in great condition. Until then, he’s enjoying every minute of being back in the water, reeling them in. “I have hundreds of crappie stake beds out there,” he said. “I call them crappie condos. The bait fish come in, and the crappie and bass follow.”

In sickness and in health

Dale always knew he wanted to move back to Alabama when he retired, but leaving Ronnye’s family and the friends they made in Memphis was difficult. Ronnye’s father passed away shortly before they were married, and Dale made a promise to his mother-in-law, whom he loved dearly, when she was in her mid-70s. “I promised I would never take Ronnye away from her,” he said, adding that they were blessed that she lived to be 99.

Although Ronnye knew Dale wanted to return home, and she was fully on board with the plan, leaving Memphis was harder than she imagined. “I cried every day for two months, but I started loving it after that,” she said.

Much of the reason is because of their neighbors, friends, and the sense of community they’ve found in Southside. That became more important than they’d ever imagined one day in March 2019.

“We found out she had breast cancer, and about an hour later, we found out I had lung cancer,” Dale said. “At the time, we had been married about 27 years, but this really brought us closer together. It was a terrible time, but she knew I was here for her, and I knew she was here for me. The only thing we had was each other.”

While it was one of the most trying times they faced, their family and friends made it easier. “All of the neighbors started bringing food and checking in on us,” Dale said. “One woman we’d never seen in our lives showed up at the door with food. She told us, ‘You don’t know me, but my daughter is your neighbor, and she told me about the problems you’ve been having.’ ”

Although Ronnye and Dale both recovered, they will never forget the kindness they were shown by friends who have become family. “They are here for you,” Ronnye said. “I don’t ever want to live anywhere else.”

Joy’s Best Baked Beans

1 28-ounce can Bush’s Maple and Cured Bacon Baked Beans
½ bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, diced
½ bottle of barbecue sauce
½ pound cooked bacon
½ pound of ground beef, cooked
8 ounces of brown sugar
A touch of honey (2-3 squeezes of the bottle)

Mix all ingredients together. Cook in slow cooker for one hour in high and then cook it at least 4-6 hours on low.

Frozen Cranberry Cups

16-ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
8-ounce Cool Whip, thawed
8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
Pecan chips

Line muffin pan with 12 paper cupcake liners. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well with an electric mixer.
Spoon mixture into muffin cups, filling very high, and freeze. Cover with foil. Remove cups as needed and allow to thaw about 5 minutes before serving.

Dale’s Rice

1 ¼ cup long-grained white rice
1 can beef consommé
1 can French onion soup
1 stick butter
1 ounce sherry
1 small can of sliced mushrooms, drained
Parsley for garnish

Mix rice, soup and mushrooms. Cover with pats of butter and sprinkle with parsley. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 50 minutes. You can also add canned or cooked chicken or shrimp to the dish.

Sadie’s Noodle Kugel

1 can apricot or apple pie filling
12 eggs
2 cups sugar
12 ounces wide noodles
1 ½ lemons
¾ pound cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, melted

Cook noodles and drain. Beat eggs. Add softened cream cheese (cut in chunks), butter, sugar and juice from lemons.
Butter a 13×15-inch dish and line with noodles. Pour half the batter in dish, and spread the pie filling over that. Top with remaining half of batter. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes.

Coosa Harbor

Pedestrian bridge and more as work continues on Gadsden’s waterfront project

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

Two projects aimed at transforming the Coosa Riverfront and making Etowah County’s largest city into a destination locale are inching closer to completion after clearing regulatory hurdles.

Coosa Harbor, a combination residential and commercial complex being developed by Scottsboro developer Patrick Lawler is awaiting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval for the project.

“I know that Patrick is through with the architectural design and almost ready to take it to bid,” Gadsden’s Director of Commercial Development and Community Affairs. “We’ll be pushing hard on FERC. They’re the ones who permit our shorelines on the Coosa River. After that, we’ll be full speed ahead. I foresee that happening in the next couple of months. I think a fall groundbreaking wouldn’t be out of the question.”

The complex includes waterfront condominiums selling for $500,000, which have already garnered interest in the pre-sale phase, city officials said.

Architectural rendering of the new pedestrian bridge across the Coosa River in Gadsden

A second project, a pedestrian bridge that will traverse the Coosa River is also in the permitting phase. Gadsden has received a $690,000 grant from Innovate Alabama that will pay for engineering and design of the pedestrian bridge, Moore said.

“That’s good because once we get the engineering, we’ll be able to pinpoint how much the project is going to cost,” Moore said. “It’s a $690,000 grant, but the (total) cost is probably somewhere north of $1 million.”

The span will link parks, trails and a planned hotel near the Venue at Coosa Landing. The new bridge will be located at the site of the old Gadsden Police station at the corner of Walnut Street and U.S. 411. The bridge – estimated between 700 and 900 feet long – will end on the other side of the Coosa near Buffalo Wild Wings.

“It will give us some more space and an opportunity to grow that area,” Moore said. “We’re going to start working on a concept design.”

Groundbreaking for the bridge is 24 to 36 months away, Moore said. Construction is expected to take a year.

The pedestrian bridge will dovetail with another major development, construction of a Mariott Tribute hotel that the city announced in early July. The hotel is expected to have at least 100 rooms and a rooftop bar and restaurant.

“We think we’ll be in line with what they’re (Mariott) is doing,” Moore said.

The goal of the bridge?

“I think it’s to make the city more walkable, where you can actually be walking downtown and you can go down and go across the bridge and go to something at The Venue,” Moore said. “Or, if you’re in East Gadsden and you can cross and come to downtown. So it really connects east Gadsden more with our downtown. That really helps our shopping and our eating. It gives a whole other economic driver when it comes to our downtown.”

He added, “It’s a complete economic development plan when it comes together. It opens doors and opportunities for the city.”

At their heart, the projects are part of the ongoing effort by the city to make Gadsden a destination point. The projects, combined with hotel and restaurant developments and family friendly events that once required residents to travel to Birmingham, Atlanta, Huntsville or Chattanooga, are the muscle behind the message. And more people are coming to town from locales within a 100-mile radius.

“We want to try to bring more people to Gadsden,” Moore said. “We have found that in looking at other cities, the one thing they can do is they have walkability,” Moore said. “You can go and stroll … and you can walk from one end of the city to the other without having to get into your car. When that happens, people start wanting to stay in those hotels, and you can do what you want to do without having to get into your car and drive.”

Along with the Mariott Tribute, the city is looking at a second as yet unnamed hotel brand for the riverfront.

While pedestrian bridges and multiuse complexes may not have the splash of events like the Lantern Festival at Noccalula Falls, Christmas season ice skating and bashes like Freedom Fest, America’s 250^th birthday celebration, they are just as important, Moore said.

“One thousand percent. At the end of the day, I need Coosa Harbor in Gadsden. I need the condos. I need the hotels. Because at that point, that’s what brings the people to Gadsden. When you have the opportunities and the availability to stay at those hotels and then we build more and more events around that vicinity, that just continues to give people more reasons to come to Gadsden,” Moore said.

City Council President Kent Back agreed.

“What we’re trying to do is to bring things to Gadsden that you normally have to go out of town to experience,” he said. “We want to do things to improve our quality of life in Gadsden and Etowah County. That way, people can stay home and enjoy things that everyone else has enjoyed.”

Across town, the city is building a 200,000 square-foot indoor facility for basketball, volleyball and pickleball. There’s also night golf available in the city, along with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Coosa Harbor, the pedestrian bridge, hotels, restaurants and a calendar full of events are fueling a Gadsden renaissance – from a city that a few short decades ago was known for closed plants and shuttered downtown buildings.

World Atlas has taken notice, naming Gadsden as one of the best places in the South to retire.

“I think that Gadsden is going to be one of those places you’re going to enjoy coming and visiting,” Moore said. “If you don’t already, you will. Right now, we’ve got so much between the falls and the river and the mountains and the cool downtown, we have so many people coming to Gadsden already,” Moore said.

“But once we complete these projects in the next 24 to 36 months, Gadsden’s not going to be the same place it was. It’s going to be one of those up-and-coming cities you want to be a part of.”

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.”

Ohatchee in the spotlight

Visit Calhoun County video series highlights water, history and regional tourism

Ohatchee’s story begins with the water.

That’s the message behind a new Calhoun County Tourism video highlighting the town, its history and its connection to Neely Henry Lake as part of a broader effort to promote communities across the region and state.

Cher Dulaney, Calhoun County tourism director, said the video is part of a series that began in January with aim of exploring the county and sharing those experiences with anyone interested in this part of Alabama..

“We started a series to explore Calhoun County as a whole,” she said.

The Ohatchee video was released just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, timed to the start of summer and built in large part around Neely Henry.

“Neely Henry is a huge asset to the city of Ohatchee,” Dulaney said.

The video, produced by Simply Data Marketing, includes footage shot by boat and drone, with scenes of the lake, dam and areas around Ohatchee. Dulaney was on the shoot with the marketing team. Thomas Shelton, who has an Alfa Insurance Agency in historic downtown Oxford, provided the boat and helped make the lake footage possible.

Shelton also has been active in efforts to bring fishing tournament activity into Calhoun County and the surrounding region and is an avid angler himself.

Dulaney said you have to take a big-picture approach to promoting the lake and the area because lake business does not stop at city or county lines.

The same is true, she said, for other regional draws, including Cheaha State Park and Talladega Superspeedway. Visitors may come for one destination, but their trip often includes hotels, restaurants, gas, groceries and shopping in nearby communities.

For Ohatchee and surrounding communities, the lake has that same kind of spillover impact. People headed to the water may stop in Alexandria, Anniston, Oxford or along the Highway 431 corridor before spending time on Neely Henry.

“It has an economic impact when people are coming in and preparing for their day or weekend on the water,” she said.

Dulaney said the videos are being produced for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, where travelers increasingly find ideas for day trips and weekend plans. The county also is working through a website redesign, with plans to make the videos available there for people who are not on every social media platform.

The goal, she said, is not only to reach visitors but also to remind residents what is available close to home.

“Sometimes you’re going through your daily life and you don’t really see what we have,” Dulaney said.

That awareness effort extends beyond Ohatchee. Dulaney pointed to Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Choccolocco Creek, Lake Yahou at Ft. McClellan and other outdoor attractions as part of the local story.

“Our region as a whole is so outstanding, and every little pocket of our region has a little something different to offer,” she said.

For Calhoun County Tourism, the Ohatchee video is one more piece of that larger effort — showing the water, history and small-town character that make the community part of the region’s tourism draw. “Awareness is the main vision that we have,” Dulaney said, “to make sure we’re increasing the awareness of what makes these places so special throughout Calhoun County and the region.”

Follow Visit Calhoun County on facebook, Instagram & Tictok and check out their website at visitcalhouncounty.com

Meet Etowah County’s new tourism director

Anna Lindsey-Brown grew up on the family farm in Cherokee County near Centre. Cotton and soybeans were the staples of her formative learning in her early years, so when it was time to go to college, she naturally majored in what was familiar – Agribusiness.

After graduating from Auburn University, her career path began at the Little River Canyon Center in Ft. Payne. The director was looking for someone to run the newly created gift shop for the partnership between the National Park Service and Jacksonville State University.

The director chose her, and she helped build it into a $200,000 a year business that welcomes half a million visitors, wielding an economic impact of $16 million annually.

Recognizing the value of such experience, the Etowah County Tourism Board chose Lindsey-Brown to lead its tourism effort into the future. “A Northeast Alabama native with a strong background in tourism, events, and community engagement, Anna brings fresh energy and a passion for showcasing everything that makes Etowah County a premier destination,” the Board said in naming her executive director.

“I come from a tourist attraction,” Lindsey-Brown said, and she looks forward to putting her experience to work for Etowah County. While in school, she also served another tourist attraction – Jules Collins Smith Museum of Art in Auburn.

Because Greater Gadsden Tourism is a countywide role, she said, “you can make a bigger impact. There are a lot of things going on in Etowah County. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Her first weeks have been invested in getting to know the community by attending meetings, ribbon cuttings and local events while connecting with leaders, businesses and tourism partners across the county.

Highlights have included the grand openings of the Challenger Learning Center and The Bluff Amphitheater, as well as attending Arts Trail on Broad and many other community events.

As tourism continues its upward momentum across the region, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism is focused on “promoting our unique venues, excellent lodging partners, upcoming events, local shopping and dining and the incredible outdoor adventures that make Etowah County special.”

Lindsey-Brown agreed. “There is so much positive momentum happening across Etowah County,” she said. “I’m truly grateful for the warm welcome and excited to help continue telling the story of our communities.”

Pedaling & paddling

Gadsden gives you more ways to enjoy Neely Henry Lake

Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos

Most days from his house on Neely Henry Lake, while sipping his morning coffee and reading his devotion, Dave Tumlin takes even more comfort in a familiar sight, his neighbors kayaking the glassy calm waters.

Later in the day when four pedal boats at Gadsden’s Coosa Landing – built in the likenesses of a duck, a dragon and two swans – are ready for passengers, Julie Tucker gets ready to smile.

On Neely Henry, there’s a new kayak launch at Coosa Landing, where pedal boats are already wildly popular, giving residents and visitors two more ways to chart a course for fun on the water.

Here’s a gander at each:

A New Kayak and Canoe Launch

For Tumlin, president of the Neely Henry Lake Association, it’s always wonderful at the lake.”

It’s even better when more people are provided with access like the new kayak/canoe launch that includes a new dock. The launch, built in partnership with the City of Gadsden and funded by a grant from the Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) 2025 Waterway Enhancement Program, opened May 4. The ASRT sponsors the Great Alabama 650, America’s longest paddle boat race.

The new Neely Henry launch is the second kayak launch spearheaded by the NHLA. The first was built in 2024 in Rainbow City, a project also funded by a grant from the ASRT.

The launch is located at Coosa Landing, on the east Gadsden side of the Broad Street Bridge.

“There’s a big launching area there,” Tumlin said. “There are a lot of fishing tournaments that work out of that area, as well as people who just want to get out on the lake.”

The site also includes signage that includes QR codes that provide directions, as well as information about ASRT, localities and the NHLA. QR code users also have the opportunity to respond to a short survey and provide feedback.

“It’s really neat to be able to have that convenience now,” Tumlin said.

The NHLA got an unexpected blessing. When the supplier for construction materials learned the association was a non-profit, he gave a discount. The NHLA turned the unexpected windfall over to the City of Gadsden to help offset costs of the new dock at the launch, Tumlin said.

The new launch – and the pedal boats – give residents and visitors an opportunity to take to the water, something they otherwise might not be able to do, Tumlin said. The launch has a lift, making it easier to access the lake for people with disabilities or other mobility challenges.

“Kayaking is a growing sport,” Tumlin said. “The more people you can get out on this water, the better it is. It’s neat to see the paddling sports. It’s eco-friendly. It’s quiet … You’re so close to the water, the shoreline, if you want to be. You’re totally connected.”

Tumlin, a pontoon boat owner whose family has been part of the Neely Henry community since the 1960s, believes the new launch strikes a balance between protecting the environment while at the same time allowing greater access to the lake.

“It’s important to have people out there,” he said. “If you can’t afford a pontoon or any of that other (motorized watercraft), you can do this in a different way that’s less impactful. I love my pontoon … But it’s nice to shut that thing down and just float and get one with (nature). By paddling, that’s a much, much better way to do that.”

A pedal-powered menagerie at Coosa Landing

These ladies are from Ireland and chose to top in Coosa Landing to ride the pedal boats

For the second summer, Coosa Landing is featuring a mini-menagerie of animal-themed pedal boats. For Julie Tucker, administrative supervisor at Gadsden’s growing entertainment district, the small fleet is another source of fun for locals and visitors alike.

“The (boats) are on the same side slough as the kayak lift,” Tucker said. “It’s $20 an hour for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour,” Tucker said. Each boat seats five, but two pedal. Life jackets are required and are provided on site. The boats are available from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. At least one passenger must be 18 or older.

Weather plays a role in pedal boat availability. Winds have to be less than 10 miles per hour. There can be no lightning, thunder or storms in the area.

The boats may be moved to a side slough – on some fishing tournament Saturdays, if the event of an especially large competition. “So far, that hasn’t happened, Tucker said.

The boats were extremely popular in their first year. But powering the boats is “a lot of work,” Tucker said.

“I can’t tell you how many calls we get every day about the pedal boats,” she said. “They are a safe thing to do. We’ve never had one to turn over. For the most part, we have a lot of respect. When a (motorized craft) sees a pedal boat, they try to move away from them and leave them alone. They know it’s just a family having fun.”

The boats have rightly earned rave reviews.

“People see them; they love them. People will see them when they’re driving down the road and come in and say, ‘Hey, what have I gotta do?’ They’ll have fun.”

The pedal boats fit neatly into Gadsden’s plan to turn the city into a fun destination.

“The thing I’ve noticed about Mayor Ford is that he loves to see families have fun,” Tucker said. “He loves to bring in opportunities for families to have fun. He’s all about giving Gadsden something to do. You know, it’s exercise.”

She added, “People love to see these boats going up and down the lake and for Gadsden to have fun things going on.”

Children love the pedal boats. In fact, Tucker’s grandkids are big fans.

“There’s not a kid that comes through here that doesn’t want to ride the pedal boats,” Tucker said.

Tucker’s reward comes in the form of big, toothy grins, the same ones sparked by the ice rink, bumper cars and Christmas tree during Gadsden’s season, or the Lantern Festival at Noccalula Falls, for example.

“It’s almost like a Six Flags ride,” Tucker said. “(Pedal boat passengers) are tired. They’re hot. But they’re smiling. It’s something about being out on the water. It makes everything in your life seem a little bit less severe. That’s something I’ve noticed. There’s something about the water.”

Editor’s Note: For more information about Gadsden’s pedal boats, call 256-549-4677.

For more information about the Neely Henry Lake Association, visit neelyhenrylake.org, or call 256-368-5200.

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

East Alabama Boat Show

Another year of success for event at Quintard Mall

Story and photos
by Graham Hadley

The East Alabama Boat show notched another successful year as boat dealers filled the Quintard Mall parking lot in Oxford with row after row of a huge variety of watercraft – from WaveRunners to large performance luxury tritoons.

Vanessa and Clyde Keel from Lincoln try out a personal watercraft

The event, sponsored by AmFirst, was held April 10-12, and featured boats from Poor House Branch Marina, Sylacauga Marine and Wedowee Marine, and vendors like Oxford’s Tackle Box.

Organizer Thomas Shelton, who worked with the City of Oxford to make it all happen, credits the success of the boat show to a combination of great location combined with what the boat dealers bring to the table.

“The mall is the perfect location, at the intersection of two highways, plenty room for the boats and parking,” he said. “We try to pick a place for these events that generates traffic for the local businesses. And the mall has all the amenities – restrooms and the food court, plus the arcade and movie theater and other shops. From a family perspective, it made perfect sense. It makes the show a more inclusive event.

“And the folks at Quintard Mall are great to work with. They were very welcoming and really care about their tenants and do what they can to generate traffic for the mall.”

Shelton said, because they have almost no overhead, it is a very affordable show for the boat dealers, vendors and sponsors. “Almost everything they put into the show goes into marketing it. It’s a very effective way to market and a good way for the sponsor and the dealers to get their money’s worth.”

Oxford’s Tackle Box was on hand to show off fishing gear

The show is limited to three dealers with the idea that they bring lots of boats – fishing, ski and wake, pontoons and tritoons, and personal watercraft. Shelton said that works out well because it means those few dealers get all the customer traffic and are much more likely to make sales.

“Because we are so affordable a show, the dealers, for all their work, only have to make a few sales for the event to be profitable for them.”

Shelton, who has a local Alfa insurance agency in Oxford, consults on the boat show and to bring more fishing tournaments to Calhoun County and surrounding areas. He taps into his love of fishing and the water and his experience as a competitive fisherman to help attract the events to the region.

“I am a presenting sponsor for the Alabama Bass Trail, Fishers of Men, Sylacauga Marine Trail and others. In fact, my daughter and I are going to be on the ABT fishing tournament tomorrow on Neely Henry.”

Bringing in big dealers from across the region – Poor House in Talladega County, Wedowee Marine and Sylacauga Marine – is a win-win for the mall and Calhoun County.

Something for everyone: bass boats, wake boats and pontoons

“The show was well attended. The dealers said they were happy with sales, and it drew not only local visitors, but people from Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn and parts of Georgia,” said Cher Dulaney, tourism director for the Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitors Center.

“It brings traffic to the mall and other businesses and highlights that, with all the renovations, the mall is becoming a lifestyle center for the community. Having something regional in reach going on in the parking lot is great for that.

“Its part of the big picture – attracting more and more people to the area.”

With the latest successful show under his belt, Shelton said he is already looking to next year.

“As long as there is interest, we will continue to host the show here. And we have had a lot of interest.”