North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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August 12, 2010

Fultondale gearing up for festival

By Melanie Patterson CNHI

FULTONDALE — Except for the heat, not much else about the weather is predictable in Alabama in August.

That’s why organizers of the 13th annual Fultondale Founder’s Day Festival are preparing for anything Mother Nature may throw their way.

Two of the music stages will be covered by large tents for the Aug. 21 festival, unlike last year when the stages were out in the open. A third stage is at the Leon Russell Music House at Black Creek Park in Fultondale.

Founder’s Day will be held at the park, 1-8 p.m. Entrance is free to the public.

Festival organizer tents will help participants stay cooler this year, too.

“The only negative feedback we’ve had is the heat,” Posey said. “To address that we’ve brought in huge tents. Rain or shine, heat or no heat, you can sit under the tent and enjoy the music.”

Like last year, music is a tremendous part of the festival. Some of the artists performing will be local favorite Abrielle Mullins; David Lee; the Southern Boys Band; Kassie Miller, who won the first season of television’s “The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search;” Spencer Nezat, the 2009 North America Country Music Association, Int’l vocalist of the year; and many more.

“We’ve got a really good line-up,” Posey said. See a complete schedule of performers in the North Jefferson News’ Founder’s Day special on Saturday.

The festival is a collaboration of the city of Fultondale, the Fultondale Arts Council and the Fultondale Chamber of Commerce.

“Founder’s Day is a flash point for building a strong sense of community for Fultondale in specific, and the north Jefferson community at large,” said Fultondale Chamber of Commerce director Teresa Vise. “Founder’s Day pulls in participation from a broad spread of vendors and businesses from our area. In return, our chamber functions to provide them with visibility, leadership and support.”

One change in this year’s festival is the absence of a car show. Posey said car enthusiasts should look for the car show to return next year, along with an additional stage.

In the spot where the car show was held last year, at the ball fields, will be a larger Kids’ Zone area.

“There’s a sense of security with the fenced-in area for the kids,” Posey said. Fun Source of Pinson will provide all of the inflatables and games for the Kids’ Zone. Tickets for the area are $1 each or $15 for an arm band, which will allow children to play all day.

While admission to Founder’s Day is free, vendors charge for food and merchandise.

Posey said the vendor area will be larger this year, with up to 15 food booths and up to 50 vendors for miscellaneous goods and services.

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