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The 17th Annual “Magic of Marble Festival” is underway in Sylacauga’s Central Park

More than 25 artists from around the world have gathered from around the world for the opportunity to work with Sylacauga’s pure white marble through April 12th. They will be joined by one invited sculptor from Italy, Edi Carrer, and this master sculptor will teach on site and conduct a symposium for visiting sculptors at the nearby B.B. Comer Memorial Library.

fESTIVAL PHOTO SLIDESHOW

We have “regular” visiting and resident sculptors, like our adopted Craigger Brown; Frank Murphy, a Sylacauga native who lives in Romer, GA; Bill Cook from Tennessee; Glenn Dasher from the Huntsville area; and the Cummings from Titus, along with a pair of Sylacauga sculptors, Lewellyn Peters and Jonathan Douglas, and a host of other newcomers and regulars to the Festival.

Besides our own Sylacauga art and architecture, our native marble graces dozens of buildings in Washington, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Montgomery, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and beyond.

And that is the point behind Sylacauga’s unique festival – to celebrate the art, architecture, as well as the many industrial, food, and pharmaceutical uses. Visitors to “The Marble City” sometimes ask, “When will the marble run out?” It will still be in the Alabama earth, still being mined, still creating hundreds of jobs, still being sculpted when our great-great-great-grandchildren go to see the Sylacauga Magic of Marble Festival.

SCP presents a new twist on an old tradition this weekend

Several decades ago, not wanting to leave out any child wishing to participate in a Sylacauga Community Playhouse childrens’ theater production, a tradition began where a custom script and a series of songs were created as “Alice in Wonderland” appeared for a “trial” before the King and Queen of Hearts, with all sorts of other characters testified in word and song.

That production was recreated over a dozen times over the years, and the concept returns this weekend with a new twist. This Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m., the Sylacauga Community will present “Character Sing-Along” at the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department.

Dressed as their favorite characters, actors and actresses will perform songs associated with those characters. Here’s hoping that the experience will lead the young and old to give the stage a try and keep a 45-year-plus S.C.P. tradition alive!

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg’s 4th Annual Ben Nelson Run/Walk for kids is set for this coming Saturday

Four year’s ago Ben Nelson organized a 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk as a fund raising effort in support of the many Kiwanis Club of Childersburg projects on behalf of kids in the community. Now, the annual event is named in memory of the ong time Kiwanis member.

This year’s 4th Annual Run/Walk is scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 5th, starting at 6:45 a.m. for registration at Kiwanis Park, 4th Street at 4th Street SW in downtown Childersburg. The 5K Run starts at 7:45 a.m. with the Fun Run/Walk to follow at 8:00 a.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg asks for your help and participation in raising money for scholarships, Kiwanis Park maintenance, and other needs for the children in our community.

“April in Talladega” continues a 40-plus year tradition of art, historic houses, and community fun

For over 40 years, the City of Talladega has seen a unique event, “April in Talladega,” continue to grow with community events highlighting the city’s architecture, art, and more during what is typically a pleasant spring weekend.

Scheduled in 2025 for Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, “April in Talladega” features the traditional tour of historic homes, along with live painting, artisan demonstrations, handmade woodwork, jewelry, and pottery, and all sorts of other arts and crafts.

“April in Talladega” exists to showcase the city’s rich history and the architecture unique to its three National Historic Districts.

All proceeds from the event are used for historic preservation purposes, such as the restoration of the Ritz Theater facade and sign, improvement of facades for adjacent buildings, enhancements to the Chamber of Commerce building as well as Heritage Hall, improvements to the Hall of Heroes, tree planting projects in the historic district, home owner grants programs, and more.

A day of celebration has grown into an entire weekend with community events galore – a huge bake sale, a free KidZone with bounce houses and slides, a live music DJ, food trucks – all of this equals fun for the whole family.

Scheduled events include:

  • “April in Talladega” Luncheons – Friday, April 11 (12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.) & Saturday, April 12 (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) at 105 North St. E
  • * Wine and Cheese Party – Friday, April 11 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) at Heritage Hall Museum, 200 South St. E
  • * Oak Hill Cemetery Tour – Saturday, April 12 (Time TBD)
  • * April on the Square Block Party – Saturday, April 12 (All Day) at the Talladega Square

Sylacauga’s “Magic of Marble” Festival kicked off Tuesday, April 1st with some new events added to the line-up, including popular prequels

Sylacauga’s annual “Magic of Marble” Festival has officially started, running from April 1st through the 12th, and some of the fun started earlier. The Comer Museum is hosting the scavenger hunt for the Marble Festival this year. You can pick up the Forms are available at both the museum, as well as the BB Comer Memorial Library. It’s always fun to fun to watch everyone run around town and see if they could spot the featured marble throughout the beautiful city. Cash prizes are available!

Over this past weekend, the “Lunch & Learn” series at the Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation in Harpersville was held as a new addition to the festival line-up, hosting a special presentation featuring famed marble author Ruth Cook and Craigger Browne, a renowned Sylacauga sculptor.

Also new to the line-up this year is the return of guided tours of the historic Sylacauga Cemetery. That will feature some unique twists this year. You’ll be able to meet historical figures, as costumed actors will portray the stories of Sylacauga’s past residents, bringing their lives to vivid reality. You can uncover local legends, hearing captivating tales of the people who shaped our community.
You can marvel at the marble monuments, as you admire the exquisite craftsmanship of the stunning marble headstones, a true testament to Sylacauga’s marble heritage.

All in all, it’s a perfect Marble Festival activity, an engaging and educational experience for everyone! There are two presentations scheduled: Saturday, April 5th from1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday,