Each year the citizens of Red Bay set aside a special day to celebrate their city and the things they have to offer with a day-long festival full of activities, contests, games and food.
This year, the Red Bay Founders Fest has been set for this Saturday in Bay Tree Park in downtown Red Bay, and organizers are hoping the whole county and people from across the area will come out and support this fun and free event.
Tracie Bolding, revenue officer for the city of Red Bay, has been the organizer of Founders Fest for several years now.
She said there is always something going on that just about anyone could enjoy so there was no reason everyone shouldn’t come out to the festivities this weekend.
“We’re going to have entertainment, a car show, games, contests, prizes, food – you name it and we’re probably going to have it,” Bolding said. “Everyone I talk to year after year always says what a great time they had and how much there is to do.
“It’s just a great opportunity to get together and fellowship with your family and friends and it’s a great opportunity for folks who live out of town to see what we have here in Red Bay.”
This year, the festival will kick-off with the Queen’s Train Ride at 8:30 a.m. followed by the live onstage entertainment that will start at 9 a.m. and last throughout the day.
Bolding said the antique car, truck and motorcycle show is always a crowd favorite. Registration will take place from 8 a.m. until noon with awards being given away
at 1 p.m.
She said that contests are always a big part of the festival each year and there are several for people to participate in.
The Third Annual Fried Pie Contest will take place at the gazebo in Bay Tree Park with judging taking place at noon.
The Buck Dancing Contest will be held at 12:30 p.m. and the Fiddler Contest will follow at 1 p.m. Entries in the quilt, photograph and coloring contests will be displayed in the Weatherford Building during the day.
Prizes will be given for the largest family attending the festival, the oldest and youngest persons attending the festival and the person who traveled the longest distance to be at the festival.
Bolding said the Park and Recreation Department is also sponsoring several events this year including a 5K run, a bike ride, a slingshot contest and a cook-off.
Park and Rec Director Mike Shewbart said registration for the 5K run will start at 7 a.m. at the Red Bay High School football field. The run starts at 8 a.m. and the cost to register is $15. Awards will be given in six categories: Men age 1-15, men age 16-30, men age 30 and up, women age 1-15, women age 16-30 and women age 30 and up.
Registration for the Bike Ride will start at 9 a.m. at the Red Bay Fun Park and the ride starts at 10 a.m. Shewbart said the bike ride was free and would just be for fun and not for competition.
The Slingshot Contest will be at 2 p.m. behind Bank Independent. The cost to enter is $5 and there will be a $25 prize for the winner.
“Our big event this year will be our cook-off,” Shewbart said. “This is a contest to see who cooks the best chicken, ribs or Boston butts. We’ll have two categories: one for amateurs and one for our fire departments in the area. We’ve asked the fire departments to come out and see which one has the best cooks.”
Shewbart said there is a $20 entry fee per entry per category. Registration will take place Friday night from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. behind First Baptist Church with a cooks’ meeting at 8 p.m. But those who cannot meet Friday night can register Saturday at 6 a.m. behind First Baptist Church. Judging will take place from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bolding many of Red Bay’s merchants will also have sidewalk sales, specials and door prizes.
“One of Red Bay’s new boutiques, Obsessions, will be having a fashion show at 10 a.m.,” Bolding said. “Ticket sales from the fashion show will go to support the Red Bay Lions Club, which will also have a booth set-up, and the ticket can also be used as a 20 percent off coupon in the store.”
Bolding said in addition to all the contests, games and entertainment, they will have several food options such as the Franklin County Cattleman’s steak sandwiches and barbeque prepared by Billy Terrell, a Red Bay native who recently won a major barbeque contest in Nashville.
“We’ll also have all the good festival food like funnel cakes and fresh-squeezed lemonade for people to enjoy,” she said. “We’ll also be selling our Founders Fest T-shirts, the Garden Club will be having a plant sale to celebrate 75 years of being a club, and the police department is setting up a dunking booth with our police officers inside.”
She added that many vendors will be present selling arts, crafts and other items. She said the park was almost full but any other vendors wishing to participate in the festival can contact her at 256-356-4473, ext. 3.
“This is going to be a great weekend you don’t want to miss,” she said. “We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.”
For more information about Founders Fest, visit www.cityofredbay.org.