The city of Hanceville turns 140 this year and has a year of festivals and celebrations planned for the city’s residents. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
This profile was part of The Cullman Tribune's special "Community Matters" section on March 19, 2019.
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The city of Hanceville turns 140 this year and has a year of festivals and celebrations planned for the city’s residents. Incorporated in 1879, Hanceville is growing, and much of that is in part to progressive leadership and its relationship with Wallace State Community College.
Mayor Kenneth Nail is extremely active in his community.
Said Nail, “To me, Hanceville is the very definition of Southern hospitality. The city is a growing community and I am proud to say, logistically, Hanceville is one of the best places to live in Alabama.”
Hanceville offers a variety of cultural, recreational and educational opportunities. Visitors and residents can visit The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, enjoy an afternoon of paintball at Mt. Doom, discover the past at the Evelyn Burrow Museum or simply stroll through the shops and eateries throughout the revitalized downtown. Most recently, Hanceville held its second annual Irish Heritage Festival.
Hanceville is comprised of folks with deep roots in the community who welcome others looking for a place to plant theirs. Perhaps it’s the tremendous relationship between the city and Wallace State that helps foster their welcoming spirit.
Nail said of the people, “We all come together to help our neighbors in time of need.”
This was clearly demonstrated most recently as neighbors flocked to offer assistance to those in the White City community devastated by a tornado on March 14.
Newcomer Melody Stuber recently moved to Hanceville from South Carolina. Originally from a town in New York state, Stuber was left disabled after a workplace chemical accident. She longed for a welcoming place to call home. It was through the EWTN Network that she learned about Hanceville. She moved to Hanceville in August and says she is glad she did.
Shared Stuber, “I haven’t met one person since being here that wasn’t friendly or wanting to help in some way. Everybody here checks on you. I hadn’t had that in 28 years; it’s crazy. I’m really excited to be here.”
Hanceville is home to the Bulldogs and proudly displays their colors of purple and gold. The Hanceville High School Bulldog Marching Band hosts the Mud Creek Marching Festival each year. The Hanceville Middle School football team finished the last season undefeated and as county champs. Could Hanceville have a state championship on the horizon?
The city has a series of festivals and activities coming up this year. All the events are still being planned but will be free to the public except the Aug. 24 event with The Kingsmen Quartet and Genesis. Details will be announced closer to the scheduled dates.
- April 27- Welcome Back to Hanceville Concert, featuring Irlene Mandrell, Vickie Lynn Maxwell and Cody McCarver
- May 3- Senior Fish-o-Rama
- May 4- Kids’ Fish-o-Rama
- June 8- Family Fun Fest, featuring Three on a String and Jesse Priest
- July 20- Family Fun Fest, featuring Natchez Trace
- Aug. 2- Kids’ Night out
- Aug. 24- Family Fun Fest, featuring The Kingsmen Quartet and Genesis
- Oct. 12- Mud Creek Marching Festival
- Oct. 19- Mud Creek Arts & Crafts Festival
- Oct. 27- Fall Fest
- Dec. 7- Christmas Parade
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