Saturday might be filled with early-season Alabama and Auburn football action, but the long Labor Day weekend still leaves plenty of space to go exploring at one of Cullman County’s local holiday events — all without having to miss a single snap.
On Sunday, Sept. 1, and Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2, Smith Lake Park will host the 28th Sweet Tater Festival, the area’s annual celebration of all orange things related to one of Cullman County’s signature agricultural treats. Originally held at the time of its 1990s founding at Crane Hill’s Dowling Memorial Park, the event gained local notoriety with each passing year, eventually shifting over to Smith Lake Park (and a new place of prominence on the Cullman County Parks Department’s busy events calendar).
Expect food and crafts vendors by the dozen at this year’s festival, along with a packed lineup of ‘tater-themed games and activities for both kids and grown-ups alike. There’ll be ongoing live entertainment coming from the park’s main stage, along with a Sunday golf cart parade, a Labor Day car show, and (of course) loads of local sweet potatoes to take home. For more information about the festival, including a complete schedule of each day’s activities, find the event’s Facebook page (search the site for “Sweet Tater Festival.”)
Entering the festival on either day costs a flat $5, and buying just a single admission gets you an armband that’s good for both days. Day one of the Sweet Tater Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. on Sunday, followed on Monday (Labor Day) when the gate again open at 9 a.m. The festival closes to day-pass park guests on Sunday at 6 p.m., and again as the event concludes at 3 p.m. on Monday.
Out on the county’s east side, the Fairview Lions Club will host its annual car, truck and motorcycle show and parade on Monday, Sept. 2, welcoming guests to the Randall Shedd Community Park on Wesley Avenue right at the center of the community.
The annual outing will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Monday, with the parade kicking off at 11 a.m. (the parade lineup will form beginning at 10 a.m. at the Clinton Barbee Field — also known to locals as the old pool field). Anyone can take part in the parade for free; the car show comes with a $20 per-vehicle entry fee at registration, which begins on-site at 8 a.m. There’ll be plenty of food vendors, a bouncy house for the kids, and even an up-close look at the helicopter slated to fly in from the Cullman Police Department.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Fairview Lions Club project fund. Contact William at 256-385-5596 or Kita at 256-385-8805 for more information.