Spirit of Hodges festival returns Oct. 8-9

Each October the town of Hodges comes alive for one of the community’s biggest yearly events.

The annual Spirit of Hodges festival will kick off Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in Hodges Town Park. Lance Curtis and Lawson Lane will be singing, and hamburgers and hotdogs will be available. Those who plan to attend are advised to bring their own chairs.

Oct. 9 festivities will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free fire truck rides, inflatables and door prizes, as well as musical entertainment, will be key parts of the festival. There will also be a motorcycle show from 9 a.m. to noon.

“We always have a good turnout,” said vendor coordinator Carla Woods. “The festival gets everyone outside and provides the chance to mingle and enjoy being together.”

A number of vendors will be set up, and Rowdy Hogs will be onsite selling barbecue, rib plates and sandwiches. The Hodges Volunteer Fire Department will be selling hotdogs and hamburgers. Other vendors will have items such as baked goods, cotton candy and snacks.

Those interested in being vendors should contact Woods. Vendor fees are waived this year, but donations will be accepted. Spaces are limited to arts and crafts vendors.

“There are a lot of fun, free activities for people to come out and enjoy,” said Hodges Volunteer Fire Department Chief Lesley Cantrell, festival coordinator.

“We will have something to appeal to all ages,” added Hodges Community Center senior manager Julia Suggs. “Rides and fire safety, good music and good food. You can’t beat it. It’s a great way to spend the day.”

Musical entertainment includes:

• 9 a.m. – Country Road 2
• 10 a.m. – Country
• 11 a.m. – Pure Diamond
• 12:30 p.m. – Lance Curtis, featuring Lawson Lane.
• 1:30 p.m. – Ricketts Family
• 2:30 p.m. – Lisa Lambert Band

Hodges Assistant Fire Chief Ron Coats said the festival is “an excellent opportunity for folks in the community to get together and visit and enjoy a fun-filled day.”

“We will have a fire prevention safety trailer and lead children through to help educate them about fire safety,” Coats said. “We’ll have food vendors, with an emphasis on barbecue, lots of arts and crafts vendors, as well as other items.”

Coats said the festival is selling chances on a $500 gift certificate for Alabama Gun and Pawn in Haleyville. There will also be a number of door prizes, and no purchase is needed to win a door prize.

“The Spirit of Hodges festival is a beloved community tradition,” said Mayor Brian Scott. “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the fun.”