Franklin County Times

RED BAY – With the crisp, cool air the county has experienced this week, residents can tell that the fall season has settled over the area, but if you head over to the west end of the county, there will be no doubt that fall is here.

The city of Red Bay is currently decked out in autumn attire thanks to the annual “Red Bay Streetscapes” event that has been hosted by the Red Bay Garden Club for the past five years.

There are 45 total streetscapes displayed at business, churches and organizations throughout the town.

This year’s theme is “A Taste of Home” and the autumn displays feature food-related themes.

Rosalyn Fabianke, chairwoman of the Garden Club’s Streetscapes Committee, said the theme follows closely with the theme the Alabama Tourism Department set for 2012-2013, which is “The Year of Alabama Food.”

“This is our fifth year to promote the streetscape project, and it just seems to grow and grow each year,” Fabianke said.

“Our original purpose was just to beautify the town because, at the time, it was the first year the economy had turned bad and we wanted to do something that would make the town look a little better and give the businesses and residents something to do to bring a little cheer to the downtown area.”

Fabianke said the streetscapes were just anything fall-related at first but when the Alabama Tourism Department started having a theme for each year, the Garden Club decided to have the streetscapes follow a theme as well.

“Last year Alabama Tourism’s theme was ‘The Year of Alabama Music,’ so our Streetscape theme was ‘Homespun Harmony,’ and the streetscapes all featured musical elements,” Fabianke said.

“This year’s streetscapes are just gorgeous and they feature some really fun things like tables all set and ready for dinner and displays of fresh produce. Everyone who has participated has done a great job with their displays.”

To go along with the streetscapes this year, Fabianke said there would also be a special even called the “Streetscape Stroll” that would take place Oct. 18 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Mayor Forsythe contacted me and said he had several people who thought an event like this would be a good idea so people could go through town and view all the lovely streetscapes these businesses and organizations have worked so hard on,” Fabianke said. “Of course we thought that was a wonderful idea, so the city is hosting that event and we hope many people come out that evening.”

Fabianke said the Red Bay City Hall would be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to provide maps that pinpoint each streetscape.

“We have many streetscapes in the downtown area but we have them over near the hospital, out Golden Road and almost to the Mississippi line,” she said. “There are lots to see, so anyone going on the tour will want to stop by city hall and pick up a map so they don’t miss any.”

She also said the stroll is a good way for residents to see each streetscape and be able to choose a favorite to vote for.

“We have a people’s choice award that we give out and voting will take place Oct. 17 through Oct. 19,” she said. “The ballots will be collected at city hall so this will be a good opportunity for people to see the streetscapes and then turn in their ballots when they are finished.”

Fabianke said she hoped this stroll would also be a good opportunity to draw visitors into the town.

“Red Bay is a small town, but we’re a town that’s on the move,” Fabianke said. “We have lots to offer here and we have a beautiful town and we hope visitors will see that and want to come back.”

Fabianke said anyone wishing to participate in the Streetscape Stroll can pick up a map at Red Bay City Hall any time between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 18.