Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Tyler Pruett)

Contributed by Carol Beddingfield, Executive Director

September 14, 2016

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Fort Payne’s Boom Days Heritage Celebration is almost here!  There will be fun activities for everyone.  No matter your musical preference, I guarantee Boom Days will have a venue of every style.

There will be seven stages for the musical acts beginning at 10 AM with the last act performing at 8 PM.  The headliners for this year will perform at the Rotary Pavilion (across Williams Ave from the Depot Museum) and include Jacob Stiefel, the Kentucky Headhunters, and the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

If you are like me, one of the reason I attend festivals is to sample the food.  Saturday morning starts out with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and food demonstrations at the Main Street Farmers Market.  A variety of food vendors will be placed throughout the layout of the festival.

Beer and wine will also be available for consumption at certain locations only.

If you need to exercise before eating all the great food choices, a 5K Run sponsored by the Three Arts Club will begin at 8 AM at the Hammer’s parking lot.

Altrusa Club children activities will be in the City Park from 10 AM – 5 PM.  Playzone will also be held in the Alabama Walking Park starting at 10 AM.

Art and Craft vendors will be displaying their work in the City Park from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Third Saturday Cruise-In will begin at 5PM located along Gault Avenue.  You will enjoy antique cars, more food vendors, and more live entertainment.

You can get started early this year in attending live performances.   A gala will be held at the Coal and Iron Building.  For tickets call Russell Gulley, Big Wills Arts Council, 256-465-1099.  Also, a new event on Friday night will include the bands Appetite for Destruction and Highway to Hell at the Main Stage located on Fifth Street.

There was no way I could have included the complete list of artists for this annual event.  I am so proud of Maurey Roberts and his committees who have worked for months creating such a family fun celebration.

I also want to thank the behind the scenes workers who without them the festival would not exist – the employees of the City of Fort Payne.