Flomaton, Atmore, Brewton To Celebrate Great Alabama Homecoming

March 11, 2010

homecomingriley.jpg

Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton will join more than 200 towns and cities that will stage homecoming events and unveil historic markers in 2010 as part of the state’s tourism promotional campaign for 2010 — the “Year of Small Towns and Downtowns”.

Flomaton will celebrate a Homecoming Weekend October 22-24. Events will include a special halftime show at Flomaton High School’s homecoming game on Friday night, October 22. Open houses are planned at the brand new Flomaton Library, the award-winning Turtle Point Science Center, the Flomaton Area Railroad Museum, the Flomaton Fire Department and the Flomaton Chamber of Commerce.

Area churches are being asked to move their homecoming celebrations to the weekend, and the First Baptist Church has already done so, according to Betty Jones, chairperson of the Flomaton 2010 Committee. The weekend will also feature a car show at Flomaton’s Lions Park, a vendors area downtown, music and more.

“We want everyone to come home to celebrate small towns and downtowns with us — the places we grew up and the backbone of the country we call home,” Jones said.

Vendor applications will be available at Flomaton’s Welcome Center for those interesting in selling their wares on October 23.

Atmore will take part in the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns with the annual Williams Station Day on October 23.

During Williams Station Day, Atmore residents and guests will turn back their clocks to 1866 when their community was named Williams Station – just a supply stop along the Mobile & Great Northern railroad. It was a simpler time, when life revolved around the railroads and folks marked time by the sound of the steam engines chugging through town or the whistle of the local lumber mill. We hope you’ll join us in Atmore for this regional festival that promises a fun day of family entertainment.

Williams Station Day is packed with great venues to fit every taste. For the young and young at heart we offer an old fashioned sampling of southern heritage seasoned with the blues, arts and crafts, cane milling and railroad memorabilia.

Williams Station Day will be October 23 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.atmorechamber.com.

Brewton participate in the Great Alabama Homecoming on Saturday, June 19 at Burnt Corn Creek Park with the Alabama Blueberry Festival. There will be original arts and crafts, live entertainment, an antique car show, a motorcycle show and ride, a children’s section, blueberries, blueberry bushes, cookbooks, T-shirts, and a food court with blueberry ice cream. To learn more, call (251) 867-3224 or visit www.AlabamaBlueberryFestival.com.

Statewide, Alabama homecoming events will continue through mid-December. Historic markers written by local historians and provided by the Alabama Tourism Department will be unveiled at the events.

“As someone who grew up in a small town in Alabama, I know there’s something special about them. They have a unique character and charm. But in Alabama, even our bigger cities have a small town feel. As Alabamians, we’re truly fortunate that many of our hometowns really are like Mayberry,” said Alabama Governor Bob Riley, referring to the fictitious small town that was the setting of the “Andy Griffith Show”.

alahome.jpgA total of 215 communities, ranging in size from Mooresville, population 54, to Birmingham, population 300,000, have scheduled events as part of the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.

“It’s going to be a great time to reflect on the importance of our small towns and downtowns, and I believe when it’s all over, people throughout the state will come away with a greater appreciation for the special place we all call home,” Riley said.

The state Tourism Department has posted a list of towns and event dates on its homecoming web site at www.alabamahomecoming.com.

Pictured above: Alabama Governor Bob Riley announces The Great Alabama Homecoming. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

Comments are closed.