Red Bay lands funds for city celebration

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
RED BAY-The City of Red Bay has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the State of Alabama Bureau of Tourism to help fund birthday celebrations, scheduled during this year's Founder's Fest in September.
Mayor Jeff Reid said the grant will be used to help pay for projects and festivities for the upcoming Birthday Party.
"We want to make it [the celebration] really special because turning 100 years old is a major milestone [for the city]," Reid said.
Reid added that State Representative Johnny Mack Morrow and Senator Roger Bedford were both instrumental in this grant being issued to the city.
"We want to thank Johnny Mack and Senator Bedford for their contribution to this cause," Reid said.
The city was notified in May that the funding was coming, but the check was not received until July 7 according to grant documentations.
Founder's Fest and the birthday celebration will be held on Sept 15. Festivities for the celebration include entertainment provided by various performers such as Georgette Jones, daughter of Red Bay native Tammy Wynette and country music legend, George Jones.
Rosalyn Fabianke said the celebration will be an educational opportunity for children and their parents alike. There will be a model of the way Red Bay once looked complete with people dressed in period costumes.
Lisa Stockton, executive director at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce said that old Founder's Fest favorites such as arts and crafts and antiques would make a return to the festival this year as well.