CULLMAN, Ala. – It’s as easy as 1-2-3: 1st Avenue Southeast will host the city’s popular 2nd Fridays celebration on the third Friday of June. That’s tonight!
Downtown Cullman’s 2nd Friday celebration, put on COVID hiatus in 2020 and postponed last week due to the threat of bad weather, returns tonight. On Friday, June 18, the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism (CPRST), Cullman Downtown Merchants Association and Warehouse District Association will host the first of three 2nd Fridays celebrations along 1st Avenue Southeast from the Festhalle, through the Warehouse District and all the way down to the Busy Bee Cafe.
CPRST Director Zac Wood said, “Everybody’s excited about it. I think the public’s excited and ready to come out. I think they showed that on Strawberry Festival, the way everybody showed up and showed out; also for Dinner on First, as many people were there . . . people are ready to get out and do something.”
New COC event coordinator Keith Varden told The Tribune, “People love it, and so we’re wanting to carry on that tradition. The City, the Mayor, Cullman Parks and Rec, the Downtown Merchants Association, the Warehouse District Association–so everybody working together this year to make this thing happen. And Peggy Smith has been huge–she is the president of the Chamber–and so, we’ve been kind of putting this thing together, and feel like we’re going to have a great event that we believe everybody’s been waiting for.
“And honestly, it’s just exciting for me to come on board and be able to work with everybody together, and so I’m excited about that.”
Downtown and Warehouse District merchants will stay open into the evening, inviting shoppers to come in and browse while at the festival.
What’s happening
Events of this month’s celebration include the popular classic and custom car cruise-in, sponsored by Agcor Steel and relocated this year from 1st Avenue to the parking lot across from the Festhalle, with overflow on Arnold Street. The move, according to planners, will allow cruisers a safer and easier way to come and go from the event, while expanding pedestrian access to 1st Avenue and its businesses.
Carnival rides and games along the festival route have been a big draw for children, and Varden said that planners added more of those features this year. Downtown Merchants Association President Ron Pierce told The Tribune that the availability of carnival rides and games was unaffected by the postponement.
Said Pierce, “Every ride we were going to have last week will be here this week.”
The celebration will also feature:
- Kids’ zones and family zones near the Festhalle, near Busy Bee and at the intersection of 1st Avenue Southeast and 2nd Street Southeast, featuring inflatables and games.
- Food Truck Alley and Vendor Village on 1st Avenue between 1st Street Southeast and 2nd Street Southeast
- Axe throwing with Cullman’s German Axe Throwing Co.
- Rock climbing walls at each end of the festival district
- Farmers Market at the Festhalle
- R.E. Garrison Trucking show lot
- Beer garden
- Animal bus
Pets on parade!
June’s celebration will feature a pet parade at 6 p.m. near Busy Bee, with the Tribune’s own Senior Reporter W.C. Mann as master of ceremonies. All pets are welcome. The $10 entry fee will support the Cullman County Animal Shelter. Registration forms are available at Happy Tails Groom & Board, Fairview Florist and at the event from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Call 256-338-0223 for more information.
Live music
The postponement of the event required rebooking of bands, and as a result, the lineup has changed. This week’s revised musical offerings include:
- Round 2
- Jessie Priest Duo
- Chase Williamson
- Brez
Varden said, “We’re trying to make sure that, from each end, there’s something for everybody.”
COC President Peggy Smith told The Tribune, “We look forward to seeing everyone after a long year. Please join us for this wonderful tradition, and we can’t wait to see you.”
Cullman will also hold 2nd Friday celebrations in July and September. No event will be held in August due to Rock the South.
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