Category: Community Event

With active programs focusing on aiding in the education of the next generation, the ALICE Center signaled the move to a brick and mortar foundation with a well-attended ground-breaking ceremony along 9th Avenue SW in downtown Childersburg on Monday, October 13th.

The ALICE Center concept has been one of bringing together so many aspects of the community to shape and support a bright future for the families and children that make up the local community. That cooperative effort was front and center during the ground-breaking event, highlighting why Gerald Wallace had a dream inspired by his mother, Alice to create an entity to meet community needs.

“With property secured, we focused first on getting programs started toward our mission, “explained Gerald Wallace, “and now we will work on creating a place where opportunity lives, a place for children to learn, grow, and thrive. I can promise you that we will see potential in every child, and we will invest in that potential.”

That first phase of building will be to add to the base line of work already in progress, creating a new, modern home for the Talladega, Clay, Randolph (TCR) Child Care Corporation in Childersburg, housing the Head Start program – The ALICE Head Start Learning Center. TCR, a non-profit corporation, is committed to elevating the lives of eligible children and families. With locations throughout Alabama, TCR has been providing services and programs centered on education and health for more than 45 years.

Kay Jennings, TCR Executive Director, said, “At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast commitment to nurturing the potential in every child and supporting Alabama families in their journey towards a brighter future, providing programs with a purpose. Thanks to a long time part of TCR, Jackie Hall introducing us to Gerald Wallace, we were able to do exactly what she suggested we would – share a common goal and difference-making purpose for new generations of children.”

Jodi Hopkins, Wallace’s personal assistant for more than two decades explained, “Watching this project transition from an idea to action is a testament to what is possible by coming together.”

Hopkins highlighted the groundwork already laid by ALICE Center programs – engaging programs, making an impact before buildings, like a tutoring program for Childersburg students. It’s a program conducted by local educators who literally grew up as products of, as students the schools they now serve through the ALICE Center – Jasmine Shepherd and Ashley Norwood.

“I look at it as creating opportunities where they did not already exists,” said Norwood.

Shepherd echoed her thoughts, “I am a native of Childersburg, shaped by Childersburg, sharing my blessings this new generation of students.”

There was a large placard with names of partnering business, industry, and other community entities that are already on board with the goals and missions of the ALICE Center. Together with ALICE Project Director, Ty Knight and a strong ALICE Center team, this is not a project from Gerald Wallace. It’s a project for, from, and by the community itself, whose purpose will be to help the community grow and prosper. Together.

The final announcement came as a surprise to the crowd. The ALICE Center has acquired the former Phyliss Wheatley High School and Community Center, allowing for programs to be located on both sides of US Highway 280.

CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – A Saturday evening Fall Festival in downtown Childersburg over the weekend welcomed an Atlanta Braves All Star for an autograph signing at Another Level Cards.

Former Braves All Star, Andruw Jones was the star attracted, but there were all sorts of activities and treats, especially for the kids – fun games, a bounce house, along with neighboring businesses, and delicious foods and tasty treats.

Another Level Cards co-owner, Maddie Pagan said, “We wanted to create a fun family event for our block of new businesses in downtown Childersburg, plus a little showing off of what we do by inviting a sports celebrity as our guest. Thanks for the support!”

OAK GROVE, Ala. – For more than two decades, the second Saturday in October has featured the Oak Grove Fall Festival. And with over a dozen events and activities throughout the region on the same day this year, the grand-daddy of fall festivals still found a way to attract another huge crowd.

There was a steady flow of visitors coming to check out a great collection of vendors – this year’s line-up was filled several months ago – lots of delicious food, all sorts of fun activities for the children; a stage full of music – this year featuring Symple Man Revival, a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd; and this year, an expanded car show from the Marble City Cruisers.

All in all, it was a great job of planning and organizing to keep the standards high and keep the festival growing year after year. And the community support was outstanding as well.

There are family-friendly community events and activities all across the Greater Coosa Valley scheduled for Saturday, October 11th. Let’s start by saying that with so much going on over the weekend, we’re bound to miss a few.

The largest and the longest running such family-friendly event, traditionally held on the second Saturday in October for over two decades now, the Oak Grove Fall Festival. This year’s event features a classic car show and food trucks before you even reach the festival itself. Organizers have gathered more unique vendors and activities, especially for the kids, along with lots of food choices, and a superb line-up of live music from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Oak Grove Town Park. There’ll even be shuttle rides to and from the parking area across the way.

The day gets a delicious start at the Talladega Springs Senior Center, with another delicious breakfast fundraiser. That runs from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. with Southern breakfast favorites, and they welcome those who want seconds. And there’s still time to catch another two or three events before the day is done.

The Childersburg Rescue Squad hosts their annual “Ride to the Rescue” fund-raiser event that gets started at 8:00 a.m. at the B.J. Meeks Sports Complex in Childersburg. There’ll be two routes for the bike ride/ race – 32-miles and 62.2 miles with lots of fun extras for riders and spectators alike.

The Olde Marketplace on Highway 280 in Sylacauga, formerly the Pickle Patch, celebrates its Grand Opening from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with door prizes drawings from 11:00 on, plus some excited vendors showing off.

Down at Sylacauga’s Noble Park, Sherrel Mickey and Tina Sanders team up for a Community Cookout for newly-elected Sylacauga Mayor Matt Hubbard, starting at 2:00 p.m. with lots of free food and activities for the kids.

Back over in downtown Childersburg, Another Level Cards is hosting a Fall Festival from 2:00 until about 6:00 p.m. There’ll be bounce houses, loads of vendors, fun games, and food trucks. And the main attraction will be for Atlanta Braves All Star Centerfielder, Andruw Jones, who’ll be signing his Topp’s baseball cards and other memorabilia.

Over the River Bridge in Columbiana there’s a “Witches Ride” at 9:00 a.m. downtown, followed by a Haunted Trail at the City’s Elvin Hill Elementary School from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The award-winning Market at Brock’s Gap in Hoover has fall-themed activities and crafts for their farmers and artisan market, from 8:00 to noon.

And on Sunday, there’s The Village 2025 Fall Festival at Regency Park from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

In neighboring St. Clair County, there’s an Honor Ride for Charlie Kirk starts at Noon at the Leeds Buc-ee’s, as part of a National Day of Remembrance. Later in the evening, five magicians appear at the CEPA Building in Pell City for an “Evening of Impossible Illusions” starting at 7:00 p.m.

Down 280 in the other direction, takes you to Alexander City for the 45th Annual Oktoberfest celebration from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1685 Arena Road.

The Second Saturday of October means it’s time for the annual Oak Grove Fall Festival on Saturday, October 11th. And the committee has been working for months now, putting together the best event in the last 20 years.

Getting things started is a Marble City Cruisers Car Show, that celebrates nostalgia, craftmanship and the joy of sharing a love for classic automobiles. Bulldog BBQ and El Pastor Cito Food Trucks will be on site in case your tummy rumbles while looking at the classic cars.

Inside Town Park walking track, there’ll be plenty of activities for the kids and vendors for the adults. Home Depot will be under the Pavilion to help the kids complete their popular craft kits, and the kids will be able to enjoy the fresh Fall air and sunshine as they play in the inflatables. Artists Elena Crattic and Christina Jackson of E & C Face Painters are always popular with the little ones, and they will be ready to transform their faces into a canvas of imagination.

Please bring a chair and enjoy visiting with your neighbors, as you enjoy the music planned for you this year on the Town Park Stage! You will be entertained by the husband-and-wife duo Adam and Erica Catt of Cherry Avenue, Ronnie Forbus of Sons of Thunder, and Randy Gill of Crossfire. The closing band, A Simple Man Revival is a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd and will be sure to get you on your feet.

Radio Alabama will be “live” all day as well. If you need to stretch your legs and browse the vendor row, be sure to check out Naelina Farms with the nice assortment of canned pickles, soups and jellies, jerky and fudge. Sandra Moore will be displaying her wreath creations, Simply Havik and Fair to Middlin’ Boutique making custom hats, shirts and gift items and Saltwater and Saddle selling jewelry, drinkware and wood crafts, just to name a few. Here’s a list of the vendors:

There’s a nice selection for everyone to get started on those Christmas shopping lists. An ATM truck will be on site, courtesy of Heritage South Credit Union so you are able to shop freely. The Food Row vendors will be able to help you out after you work up an appetite shopping. Doug’s BBQ, Sweet Thangs, Hope’s Snobiz, Champions’s Pork Skins and Peanuts, and newcomer, Lea Riddley in the Bubble Cheese Truck serving hand squeezed lemonades, crafted drinks and grilled cheese has a nice selection to satisfy a hungry belly!

The weather will be beautiful to enjoy this community gathering, so please come out and join the family, this Saturday, October 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For the 89th time, the Miss Sylacauga Competition crowned our Miss Sylacauga 2026, along with Miss Sylacauga’s Teen 2026 at the Sylacauga High School auditorium Saturday night.

Congratulations to Miss Sylacauga 2026, Megan Malloy, and Miss Sylacauga’s Teen 2026, Chloe Harris.

WEOGUFKA, Ala. – As part of “Alabama’s Year of Trails,” the Alabama Trails Foundation and the Alabama Forestry Commission held a special dedication ceremony to recognize Flagg Mountain’s Observation Tower as the southernmost point of the Pinhoti Trail and to celebrate a project that has finally brought reliable water to the mountain, from the Stewartville Water Authority.

Flagg Mountain, the southern-most Appalachian peak in Alabama at 1,156-feet, and the tower at 54-feet, the Pinhoti Trail Head was officially moved to the Flagg Mountain Observation Tower in the Weogufka State Forest.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the iconic stone tower in the 1930s, which served as a fire lookout for decades. Its recent restoration returned the tower to its original grandeur, allowing visitors to once again climb to the cab for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape that, on a clear day, allows visitors to see across seven counties.

In keeping with this restoration, the tower will now Officially serve as the iconic beginning of Alabama’s longest footpath, the Pinhoti Trail that connects with the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.

“The restoration and work done on Flagg Mountain is more than just a project; it’s a celebration of Alabama’s natural heritage,” said Paul DeMarco, President of the Alabama Trails Foundation. “By preserving this historic structure and formally linking it to the Pinhoti Trail, we are creating a world-class destination that will attract hikers and nature lovers from across the country while providing a better experience that all Alabamians can enjoy.”

Rick Oates, State Forester of the Alabama Forestry Commission, added, “This partnership demonstrates the great things that can happen when we all work together for a better Alabama. The renovated tower complements the new Pinhoti trailhead. We hope the combination of the two will encourage not only avid hikers, but also outdoor enthusiasts to embark on exciting adventures right here on the peak of beautiful Flagg Mountain. We are proud to help make this historic resource accessible to the public.”

“Ride to the Rescue” from the Childersburg Rescue Squad has multiple purposes and even more aspects for the public to enjoy the weekend of Saturday, October 11, 2025.

First of all, the big tourist event is a fund-raising event to support the all-volunteer squad’s year-round rescue efforts in the local area and well beyond. Besides sponsorship opportunities, there’ll be entertaining and delicious opportunities to help the cause, plus a need for community volunteers before, during, and after the ride.

Jim Dennis invites bikers from our area to join bikers from all over the southeast, “There’s lots of reasons to ride along – the scenery along country roads, a huge awesome meal guaranteed to leave you full and satisfied, the fellowship with friends and new friends to be made, and last but not least, your support of Childersburg Rescue Squad helps us to answer the call for help when a family is having the worst day of their lives.”

The Childersburg Rescue Squad responds to a variety of calls ranging from mass casualty events to a child lost in the woods, water recovery of drowning victims, storm recovery, and a host of other emergencies. They’ve made sure that local schools have disinfectants and cleaning supplies. They’ve gathered and distributed emergency supplies, and even Christmas gifts to storm-ravaged locations, as part of an association with other rescue squads that they helped create.

The things they do aren’t just important, they’re life-saving and life-changing. And that requires intense professional training, that requires investment in reliable emergency equipment. That’s why they appreciate your support.

The “Ride to the Rescue” has two routes – 32-mile and 62-mile. It starts and ends at the Childersburg Baseball Complex on Pinecrest Road. And the need for community volunteers starts at 6:00 a.m., with the rides starting at 8:00 a.m.

Thousands flowed through Sylacauga’s Noble Park for the 3-day Pinhoti Fest 2025 over the past weekend, bringing together hikers, families, and enthusiasts for a celebration of Alabama’s outdoor heritage. The addition of the Rec Department’s Food Truck Friday to the festival line-up got things kicked off Friday evening with a great crowd.

“We had, by far, the largest crowd ever for Friday thanks to the partnership with the Sylacauga Recreation Department and their food truck event,” said Kimm Shock Wright, one of the event organizers, along with her husband Nathan Wright. “Besides all of our exhitors and vendors, that helped bring out a lot of locals, who got the chance to experience what the event is all about.”

The annual event highlights the 351-mile Pinhoti Trail, a scenic path that winds through Alabama and Georgia. The trail’s southern end lies near Sylacauga at historic Flagg Mountain, a popular access point &/or end-point for adventurers across the region. Festival organizers say Pinhoti Fest is more than an outdoor expo. It features live music, vendors, workshops, and food, combining with outdoor gear displays, family activities, and a lot of visitors camping in Noble Park for the weekend.

The gathering has grown into an annual tradition that underscores the cultural and recreational significance of the Pinhoti Trail. Its mix of adventure, education, and entertainment that connects people of all ages with the landscapes that make Alabama a destination for hiking and exploration.