CULLMAN, Ala. – One of Cullman County’s longest-running Labor Day traditions will celebrate a milestone when the 30th annual Sweet Tater Festival returns to Smith Lake Park Sunday, Sept. 6, and Monday, Sept. 7.
The two-day festival will feature live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, sweet potatoes, a golf cart parade and the annual Sweet Tater Festival Car Show.
Festival hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday.
Admission is $5 per person or $20 per carload. Admission is good for both days.
Celebrating a Cullman County crop
The festival highlights a crop with deep roots in Cullman County agriculture. Alabama designated the sweet potato as its official state vegetable in 2021.
Alabama Cooperative Extension reported in February 2026 that Cullman County accounted for approximately 19% of Alabama’s 2022 sweet potato harvest. Cullman and Baldwin counties produced most of the state’s crop.
Previous festivals have drawn visitors from throughout Alabama for sweet potato pies, fries and even sweet potato ice cream, along with traditional festival food, shopping and entertainment.
Sunday entertainment
The festival’s Sunday entertainment schedule includes:
- Billy Gant Duo, 10:15 a.m.-noon
- The Slacker Bees, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
- Clog Wild Cloggers, 1:45-2:45 p.m.
- Golf cart parade, 2:50-3:10 p.m.
- The Undergrounders, 3:15-5 p.m.
The Slacker Bees are a Birmingham-based group known for funky grooves, soulful performances and familiar hits. The Undergrounders will close the first day of the festival.
Labor Day car show
The annual Sweet Tater Festival Car Show will begin at 7 a.m. Monday and continue until 3 p.m.
The show is open to all makes and models, including cars, trucks and motorcycles. Registration will be open from 7-11 a.m. with a $15 entry fee. A cash drawing will also be held.
For additional car show information, contact David Speegle at 256-385-1401 after 5 p.m.
Monday’s musical entertainment will begin with The Negotiators Duo from 10 a.m.-noon. Birmingham singer and multi-instrumentalist Matthew DeVine will perform from 12:15-3 p.m. to close the festival.
Enjoying Smith Lake Park
Visitors can also take advantage of Smith Lake Park’s amenities during the holiday weekend. The park offers camping, cabins, pavilions, RV hookups, boat ramps, swimming and miniature golf.
Those interested in reserving a campsite or cabin are encouraged to contact the park before the holiday weekend because spaces traditionally fill quickly during the festival.
Smith Lake Park is located at 403 County Road 386 in Cullman.
For festival, vendor, camping or reservation information, contact the Smith Lake Park office at 256-739-2916, email smithlakepark@co.cullman.al.us or visit www.cullmancountyparks.com.
