FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Dersham, Executive Director DeKalb Tourism
PHONE: 256.845.3957 or 888.805.4740 ext. 35
info@tourdekalb.com

Star Spangled Fun Atop Lookout Mountain

Fort Payne, Ala. (May 28, 2019) – Several star-spangled events offering a variety of wholesome family fun are on tap atop Lookout Mountain in celebration of Independence Day. The star-studded celebrations begin Tuesday, July 2^nd and include free hot dogs, an ice cream social, parades, a festival centered on potatoes and spectacular fireworks displays.

The independence celebrations get underway July 2^nd when the City of Fort Payne invites everyone to a star-spangled celebration with free hot dogs, soft drinks, American flags, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. The event takes place at the Fort Payne Sports Complex and begins at dusk.

With its roots in potato farming, the town of Henagar pays tribute to its heritage with a free festival on July 4^th. Now in its 37^th year, the Sand Mountain Potato Festival offers a car show, arts and crafts fair, parade, live entertainment featuring local talent and children’s games and inflatables, along with a variety of food vendors featuring potato entrees and side dishes.

The Sand Mountain Potato Festival begins with a parade at 10 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies around 11 a.m., with entertainment beginning immediately afterwards and running through to the spectacular fireworks display around 8:30 p.m. This year’s event will have a variety of local artists performing, including the Sharps Quartet, Ryan Watkins, Kathy Louvin and family, among others. Along with traditional festival food, a variety of potato entrees and side dishes are offered including baked potatoes, French fries, cheese fries, tator twirls and much more.

All activities are held in Henagar Park located on Alabama Highway 75. While admission is free, a small fee is charged to participate in some of the children’s games and activities and parking is $2 per vehicle.

The Farm at Windy Hill will host its annual Farm-to-Table BBQ July 4^th from 4 to 7 p.m. Barbeque plates featuring the farm’s own pastured pork, fresh picked vegetable sides and homemade pound cake will be available to purchase. In addition to great food, there will be lawn games and music by local musicians.

The Independence Day celebrations continue after the fourth of July at DeSoto State Park with activities ranging from a flag making contest to an ice cream social.

All ages are welcome to participate in the free flag-making contest. Materials and flag-making rules will be available at the campground pavilion in the Improved Campground starting July 3rd. Flags must be turned in at DeSoto’s Nature Center no later than 9 a.m. Saturday, July 6th to be judged. Examples of flags from year’s past can be seen at the Nature Center.

The annual Splish and Splash Pool Party is set for July 5^th from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Visitors are invited to cool off in the Olympic-size pool, play pool games and eat homemade ice cream. Admission is $1 per person.

Hitting the streets at 3 p.m. on July 6^th is the Independence Day Parade. The parade route begins at DeSoto State Park’s headquarters and makes its way to DeSoto’s Improved Campground, just in time for the homemade ice cream social that is set for 4 p.m. at the Campground Pavilion. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and their own favorite recipe for homemade ice cream to share while mingling with other guests. Flag making contest winners will also be announced at this time.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Dersham, Executive Director
DeKalb Tourism
PHONE: 256.845.3957 or 888.805.4740 ext. 35
info@tourdekalb.com

From Mayberry to Music: June Events Not to Miss in Northeast Alabama

 Fort Payne, Ala. (April 22, 2019) – The month of June is a great time to visit the Fort Payne area in northeast Alabama for those that are fans of the classic television show Mayberry and country music group Alabama. Two festivals offer visitors an opportunity to step back to a simpler time and a chance to spend some time with their favorite country band.

The first Saturday in June, the town of Valley Head goes back in time about 60 years to the days of Mayberry, the iconic small town from the classic television show, “The Andy Griffith Show.” Set for June 1, 2019, the third annual Memories of Mayberry festival offers a day of fun for the whole family. Beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a cruise-in, food, live entertainment, door prizes, children’s activities from the period of Mayberry and more. Characters from Mayberry will be featured and the town of Valley Head is redecorated to represent the iconic small. All activities will be held in the downtown square of Valley Head.

Admission to the festival is free, but donations are appreciated. All proceeds go to benefit the Valley Head Volunteer Fire Department. For more information, visit https://visitlookoutmountain.com/memories-of-mayberry-june-1/.

To show their appreciation to their fanbase, Fort Payne’s own  country and Southern rock band Alabama is hosting Fan Appreciation Weekend June 20-23, 2019, featuring several events throughout DeKalb County. Tour the Fan Club, attend an autograph session and enjoy concerts are just a few of the activities the band has planned for its faithful followers.

The four-day event kicks off Thursday, June 20^th with Teddy Gentry’s Singing with the Stars benefitting the Children’s Advocacy Center. Show time is at 6 p.m. at Northeast Alabama Community College (138 AL-35, Rainsville, Ala.). Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Call 256.997.9700 for more information and to buy tickets.

Jeff Cook, lead guitarist, will host guests Friday evening, June 21^st for the Fan Daze Concert featuring him and the Allstar Goodtime Band along with Me and the Girls at the DeKalb Theatre (806 Gault Ave N, Fort Payne, Ala.). Doors open at 5 p.m. with show time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. To buy tickets, visit www.jeffcook-agb.com.

The highlight of the weekend activities is when the entire band —Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry — takes the stage for an intimate concert at the Alabama Fan Club and Museum (101 Glenn Boulevard SW, Fort Payne). Considered by many the most successful country, rock band in history, the group had 43 number one songs, 19 studio albums and won more than 300 awards. Attendance to the concert set for June 22^nd is limited exclusively to current Alabama Fan Club Members. VIP tickets are $100 each and general admission is $50 each. To buy tickets, call 256.845.1646.

On Sunday, June 23^rd, lead singer Randy Owen will perform during Randy’s Fandemonium On The Farm. Gates open at 10 a.m. with the show at 12 p.m. Following his performance, he will sign autographs and take pictures. During the event, donations will be accepted for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

For more information on Fan Appreciation Weekend, visit https://visitlookoutmountain.com/alabama-band-fan-appreciation-weekend-june-20-23/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: John Dersham, Executive Director
DeKalb Tourism
PHONE: 256.845.3957 or 888.805.4740 ext. 35
info@tourdekalb.com

A Barn Sale, Yard Sales and Rhododendrons Take Over DeKalb County in May

Fort Payne, Ala. (March 26, 2019) – At the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains lies DeKalb County, known for its abundance of outdoor recreation and beautiful scenery. Along with exploring nature and soaking in all that Mother Nature has to offer, the area also offers some incredible shopping adventures, and May is one of the best months for shoppers to visit.

A pickers’ paradise, the Vintage Pickin’ Barn Sale in Fyffe, Ala. will be held May 3-4, 2019. Shop from over 55 hand-selected artisans and pickers from across the southeast that will be bringing truckloads of farmhouse treasures, primitive pieces, rustic junk, industrial pieces and repurposed goods. During the sale, there will be live music and local food vendors and food trucks for attendees to enjoy while shopping.

Hours and admission tickets are:

Friday, May 3, 2019
– Early Pickin’ (limited number of tickets available)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. / $18 plus fees for online presale only ($20 cash only at gate if tickets are still available)
*Shop all weekend with the Early Pickin’ ticket.

– General Pickin’ (general admission)
2 p.m. – 7 p.m. / $8 (can be pre-purchased online or cash only at gate)

Saturday, May 4, 2019
– General Pickin’ (general admission)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. / $8 (can be pre-purchased online or cash only at gate)

Event is rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. The sale is held on White Oaks Farm located at 202 Farmer Road in Fyffe, Ala. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit https://vintagepickin.com/.

For a scenic shopping experience, visitors can take the back roads through the Appalachia region for a shop ‘til you drop experience. Set for May 16-19, 2019, the US 11 Antique Alley Yard Sale offers 502 miles of roadside sales from Meridian, Miss. through DeKalb County, and ending in Bristol, Va. Hundreds of yard sales offering treasures, unique finds and southern hospitality can be found along U.S. Highway 11 through Hammondville, Sulphur Springs, Valley Head, Fort Payne, Colbran, Portersville, and Collinsville, all located in DeKalb County. For more information, visit https://visitlookoutmountain.com/antique-alley-yard-sale/.

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the town of Mentone, a mountain village nestled atop the west brow of Lookout Mountain, for a two-day event paying tribute to rhododendrons and its bright showy flowers while showcasing the best of the mountaintop town. Presented by the Mentone Area Preservation Association, the Rhododendron Festival features an array of handmade arts and crafts and live music from local musicians, with the highlight of the festival the beautiful bursts of rhododendron blooms covering the mountaintop town. This year’s event is set for May 18-19, 2019.

The Rhododendron Festival kicks off on Friday, May 17^th with a fish fry and fried pies beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Mentone Inn followed by a free concert by Will Dooley and Company at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, May 18^th and Sunday, May 19^th, over 70 talented artists and craftsmen offering their handmade creations will fill Brow Park and the old Mentone Springs Hotel site. Festivalgoers can peruse the works of art from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Mentone Area Preservation Association will be selling rhododendrons for festivalgoers to purchase and take home.

In addition to art and music, scenic boat rides will be offered on Little River, weather permitting. The boat will leave from DeSoto Falls and travel up river before returning. Hours are from 1 p.m. to dusk on Friday, from 10 a.m. to dusk on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Boats will depart approximately every 45 minutes. Cost is $15 per person.

Master herbalist Darryl Patton will lead two plant identification walks on Sunday, May 19^th. Known for his easy going approach towards teaching the identification and uses of medicinal plants, Darryl has been called a walking encyclopedia of herbal folklore. For 12 years, Darryl was privileged to spend thousands of hours studying under the late A. L. “Tommie” Bass, one of the last of the old mountain herb doctors. Walks are set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.