SUGARFEST 2023

Arab Parks and Recreation presents SugarFest 2023 set to take place in Arab, Alabama September 2, at Arab City Park and it promises to be a day filled with excitement, entertainment, and celebration. The festival will feature a wide range of fun activities, food vendors, and numerous events that showcase the community spirit of the town. Last year’s event hosted approximately 15,000 guests!

For those who love physical challenges, the festival opens at 7:30 am with a 5k race that locals and visitors can participate in. This race takes you through the beautiful city park and residential areas of Arab, allowing you to soak in the town’s picturesque views.

At 8:00 am, the Marketplace opens with arts and craft vendors, offering unique handmade gifts for purchase. This is an excellent opportunity to bring home a special souvenir or gift for loved ones.

Food trucks will also be present, serving a variety of delicious foods that are sure to satisfy everyone’s appetite. From barbecue to sushi, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

The festival’s main daytime event is a small carnival that will feature various thrilling rides and games for all ages for a small fee of $10 for unlimited rides. Carnival hours are from 11am-7pm. Various food trucks will offer classic carnival foods such as cotton candy, popcorn, and ice cream for visitors to enjoy.

Guests who are looking for a FREE kids’ area can also enjoy one at SugarFest featuring various activities such as bounce houses, rock wall, and an obstacle course. Parents can let their children unleash their energy and enjoy a day of fun and games as they explore the area. Back by popular demand is the dunking booth where you can test your throwing arm and for $1 a throw help local “celebrities” raise money for charity. There will be no entry fee for the swimming pool and splash pad all day long. Families can also take a stroll through the petting zoo (nominal fee), where kids can get up close and personal with different farm animals.

The Arab Historical Village will be open during SugarFest, showcasing the rich history and culture of Arab. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the village museum to learn about the town’s roots and how it has grown to become what it is today. Different arts and crafts along with food vendors will be located throughout the village, as well.

SugarFest will conclude with a spectacular 15-minute fireworks display that will light up the night sky for miles around. The fireworks show is an excellent way to end the day, and visitors can enjoy it while relaxing and enjoying time with their loved ones.

SugarFest 2023 is an event that visitors should not miss. With its numerous activities and delicious food, SugarFest is set to be a day filled with fun, excitement, and celebration for all families. So, mark your calendars now and get ready to experience an unforgettable day! Visit our website at www.thesugarfest.com

Take us along!

We’ve enjoyed seeing photos from our readers on their travels with Alabama Living! Please send us a photo of you with a copy of the magazine on your travels to: mytravels@alabamaliving. coop. Be sure to include your name, hometown and electric cooperative, and the location of your photo.We’ll draw a winner for the $25 prize each month. Make sure your photo is clear, in focus and not in shadow.

Alabama Living contributors win national awards

Two contributors to Alabama Living were recognized for their outstanding work during the Cooperative Communicators Association’s (CCA) annual awards ceremony in June.

Dennis Auth won a first place award in illustrations for his artwork, “Alabama A to Z,” for the cover of the January 2023 issue. Auth is best known to readers for his illustrations for “Hardy Jackson’s Alabama.”

Writer Emmett Burnett took two awards, a second place in technical writing for “James Webb telescope: the Alabama connection” which appeared in the April 2022 magazine; and a third place for his personality feature, “Eyes on the sky,” on weatherman James Spann in September 2022.

CCA, an organization of 300 professionals who communicate for cooperatives, is the only communications organization dedicated to serving those associated with member-owned businesses.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program continues to grow

Learning outdoors skills – such as rock climbing, camp cooking, shooting sports (including gun safety), fishing, hunting, canoeing, archery and many more – can seem intimidating, especially for women who didn’t grow up exposed to such activities.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, or BOW, is a three-day workshop designed to acquaint women 18 and older with the outdoors in a fun, non-threatening environment.

This year’s event will be Oct. 6-8, but registration opens on Aug. 1 for first-time participants and Aug. 7 for returning participants. Slots always fill fairly quickly.

For more information, including cost and registration, visit outdooralabama.com and click on “activities,” then scroll down to Becoming an Outdoors-Woman or call 800-245-2740.

Support Alabama eateries during Restaurant Week

Alabama Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-27, is a way for locals and visitors to show their appreciation for the state’s restaurants and their staffs. This culinary event unites Alabama’s diverse range of cuisine during the two-week celebration.

The week is marketed by the Alabama Tourism Department, which also produces the popular “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama” listings. The department encourages patrons to dine out and support their local restaurants and offers some other ideas to show their support: buying gift cards, purchasing merchandise, asking small, family-owned places how they can help, and leaving good reviews online and on social media.

Learn more at alabama.travel.