By TAYLOR BECK Contributor to The Reporter
BOAZ, Ala. – On Friday-Saturday, Oct. 4-5, 2024, the Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 60th Annual Boaz Harvest Festival in Downtown Boaz.
This year’s Harvest Festival is presented by the City of Boaz, Peoples Independent Bank, Go and Glow Aesthetic and Laser Center, and Go Medical Group.
Opening Ceremony at Snead State on Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m.
The 60th Annual Boaz Harvest Festival will kick off with Opening Ceremonies on Thursday night, Oct. 3, at Snead State Community College’s Emmett Plunkett Baseball Field. Festivities, which will include a special flag presentation by Marshall DeKalb Electric Cooperative, Boaz first responders, and members of the Boaz VFW, are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Well-known Boaz native Becca Butler, age 12, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem.
Live entertainment will also include performances by Boaz High School Cheer, Snead State Jazz Band, Snead State College Street Singers, Snead State Cheer, and more.
After the opening ceremonies conclude, the Boaz Harvest Festival will continue Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, in downtown Boaz and at Old Mill Park. Admission is FREE.
Two-time Grammy winner Jason Crabb headlines weekend of live entertainment
Downtown Boaz will be ringing with live music and entertainment all weekend long for the Boaz Harvest Festival. Two-time Grammy winner and Gospel music star Jason Crabb will take the stage at Old Mill Park on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. to close out the festival.
In addition to winning two Grammy Awards, Crabb has received 22 GMA Dove Awards – being named the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year along with Song of the Year – along with a host of industry honors and recognitions, with chart-topping hits that inspire the multitudes. Among his honors, he is the youngest member to be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, and his hometown of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, recognized him by naming a street as “Jason Crabb Drive.”
Crabb’s electrifying stage presence, powerhouse vocals and magnetic personality have endeared him to millions across the world – through extensive personal appearances, media coverage, and social media including over 20 million views on YouTube.
Since his first solo release in 2009, Jason Crabb has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Billy Graham’s final crusade in NYC. He has also shared the stage with artists such as Gloria Gaynor, Kari Jobe, Vince Gill, Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell, Donnie McClurkin, Wynonna, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Michael W. Smith, Jamie Grace, Sandi Patty, the Oak Ridge Boys and more. He has appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and alongside Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson.
Whatever the Road, Jason’s 2015 release, was nominated for a GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary Christian Album.
Unexpected, released on April 20, 2018, was honored with a GRAMMY® at the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards® in February 2019. The project was produced by Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) and features Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts) and Kaya Jones, as well as a song written with disco icon, Gloria Gaynor.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Jason Crabb to Boaz and have him perform at the 60th Annual Boaz Harvest Festival,” said Jill Johnson, Executive Director of the Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce. “Knowing it was going to be the 60th Harvest Festival, we wanted to do something special, and being able to get Jason Crabb was exactly what we hoped for. His music is phenomenal. He’s considered one of the best in all of Gospel music, and we’re just overjoyed by the opportunity to get him in our community.”
Opening for Crabb at 2 p.m. will be local gospel group Bloodline, of Albertville.
On Friday, the Alabama-based band 90 Proof will take the stage and perform in Downtown Boaz near Courtyard on Main. 90 Proof plays a mix of “crowd favorites” such as Southern Rock to Outlaw, 90s and current Country music.
Prior to the headlining acts each day, several musicians and performers may be found on various stages setup throughout the downtown area, including former Boaz graduate Chandler Ayers.
Variety of Vendors Offer Family-Friendly Fun
Nearly 180 vendors are scheduled to be stationed throughout the downtown area on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5. There will be a variety of arts and crafts, games, collectibles, handcrafted specialty items, and much more. Vendors will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There will also be a plethora of food trucks to satisfy anyone’s taste with items such as barbecue, tacos, and hotdogs, as well as funnel cakes, ice cream, cotton candy, and fried pies.
Ayden Ward Cornhole Tournament
After vendors close for Day One on Friday night, the annual Ayden Ward Cornhole Tournament will begin at 6:30 p.m. Men and women of all skill levels are encouraged to compete for a medal and cash prize. The entry fee is $20 per team. Applications are available at the Chamber.
Car, Truck, Jeep, Tractor, and Motorcycle Show
Day Two of the Harvest Festival will kick off Saturday morning with the annual Car, Truck, Jeep, Tractor and Motorcycle Show, sponsored by First Bank of Boaz.
Registration will be from 8-10 a.m., then awards will be given out starting at noon. There’s a $10 entry fee for participating vehicles. The Car Show will be located inside the lot at Line Avenue.
Who will be crowned Miss Boaz Harvest Festival?
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday will be the annual Miss Boaz Harvest Festival Beauty Pageant will be held on the Old Mill Park stage.
Contestants from around the area will compete for crowns across six (6) divisions, including ages 1-21. Miss Boaz Harvest Festival contestants will also be vying for scholarships thanks to Snead State Community College and others.
To learn more about any of the events to be held over the two-day festival, please visit www.boazareachamber.com, call 256-593-8154, email boazchamberassist@gmail.com, or stop by the Chamber.
The Boaz Harvest Festival would not be possible without our many tremendous sponsors, including:
• City of Boaz
• Peoples Independent Bank
• Go Medical Group
• Go and Glow Aesthetic and Laser Center
• Marshall County Legislative Delegation
• Snead State Community College
• Marshall Medical Centers
• First Bank of Boaz
• Chevrolet of Boaz
• State Farm – Kim Lee-Hammett
• Jon McCormick Automotive
• Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative
• TS Tech
• Peoples Bank of Alabama
• Boaz Gas Board
• Grumpy’s Restaurant
• Boaz Water and Sewer Board
• Advanced EyeCare – Dr. Mark Turk
• Sanford Real Estate
• Boaz Discount Drugs
• EconoLodge
• Hampton Inn
• Rotary Club of Boaz
• Weathers
• Boaz Nutrition
• Kabco
• Buffalo Rock
• Boaz Civitan Club
