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Harvest Festival ‘breath of fresh air’
Published October 1, 2009
The City of Boaz is gearing up for the 45th annual Harvest Festival, slated for Friday and Saturday at The Mall downtown.
The festival is expected to attract 20,000 people to the southeastern Marshall County community of 8,000.
“I am most excited about the turnout, because I know with the economy everybody’s feeling uneasy, and this is a chance to see people they hadn’t seen in a while and enjoy themselves,” said Keyesta Sherman, president of the Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce. “I think this is a breath of fresh air.”
Sherman said the festival sold out its 200 booths.
“After looking at the arts and crafts applications, we are going to have a lot of talented people from many different places with quality products,” Sherman said. “With the Christmas season coming up, it will be the perfect time to buy some gifts. You’ll probably even find some things you can’t live without.”
Festival highlights include the Boaz Little Miss Harvest Festival, scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the Boaz Miss Harvest Festival following at noon.
The 45th annual Harvest Festival Rod Run, presented by the First Bank of Boaz and the chamber, is Saturday with registration for the car show from 8-10 a.m., judging at 10 a.m. and awards at 2 p.m.
Live entertainment is set for Friday and Saturday on north and south stages starting at 9 a.m. Snead State musicians and performers, the Boaz High School Band, dancers, singers and dulcimer players are on the schedule.
Even artists, musicians and performers who just want to show up and play have the opportunity.
“We have local talented artists that have a lifelong love of music, and they have the time to hone those skills on our stages at the Harvest Festival,” Sherman said. “However, there are other groups of talented people out there in our community that just like to meet other music lovers and play in more impromptu settings.
“This year, we have a place on the stage for that group of people as well. We invite anyone who can play an instrument or sing a song on the Harvest Festival stages from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.
“I envision strangers on someone’s porch on the weekend making melodies together with the crowd clapping and singing along. This weekend, the Boaz Harvest Festival provides the porch setting.”
Another highlight is the Moon Pie Eating Contest, slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. on the north stage.
“Connor Davis is seeking his third win,” Sherman said. “The only thing is that this year he has to move up in the age division, so it will be interesting to see.”
The children’s area features a number of inflatables. Children can play all day for $10. Festival goers can bungee jump or ride a mechanical bull for $5. Pony rides will be available as well.
Admission is free to all other areas of the festival.
Food vendors and the Boaz Farmer’s Market will be open, offering festival goodies, fresh fruits and vegetables. Businesses are planning sidewalk sales.
Boaz Mayor Tim Walker said this year’s festival is historic because the city plans to completely renovate The Mall downtown after the event.
“This one’s a little bit different,” Walker said. “If our plans work out like we’re hoping, this will be the last time the Harvest Festival will be in what would be termed the ‘downtown mall,’ because we’re going to put the street back through it next year.
“We’ll still have a Harvest Festival, and it will still be the same place. But it will be like it used to be when years ago we had to close down the road.”
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