At UAB Medical West, our number one priority is to offer quality, convenient care for those in West Jefferson County, AL. Currently offering emergency care, two health centers in your community, and a brand new state-of-the-art hospital just down the interstate, UAB Medical West is committed to being here for you and your entire family. It’s one more way we can offer quality, compassionate care near you. For more information about UAB Medical West and our services, visit us online at medicalwesthospital.org.
VIP TICKETS: $75
(Entry at 5:30 and a Swag Bag)
ADVANCE TICKETS : $50 AT THE DOOR: $60
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 6-8 PM
Inverness Country Club
FOOD | DRINKS | ONLINE AUCTION
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dear Friends,
Fall is in the air! Well, sort of. As I write this, school is back in session, and pumpkin spice everything is hitting store shelves. And, yet, daytime highs are still in the 90s.
Thankfully, September and October in Hoover mean plenty of opportunities to prepare for our favorite season, even if it still feels like summer for a while. Cheer on hometown teams at Hoover High School and Spain Park High School football games (pages 6-11); shop for seasonal home decor, among other remarkable finds, at Vintage Market Days (page 18); and when that first hint of fall air arrives, get outside and enjoy the nationally acclaimed Bluff Park Art Show (page 12) or find a new favorite food at our own Aldridge Gardens’ Taste of Hoover event (page 14).
From sports and shopping to art and dining, our growing city has a lot to offer. I encourage you to use this season to try something new, and most importantly, I encourage you to get out there and Enjoy Hoover.
Happy Reading,
Kim Cripps Editor
ABOUT THE COVER
Hoover High School Cheerleaders cheer their team on to victory at the Spain Park v. Hoover Varsity Football Game on September 8, 2023.
Cover photo by Allison Carpenter
Enjoy Hoover is your guide to dining, entertainment, and shopping in Hoover, Alabama’s sixth largest city. From major events like the SEC Baseball Tournament, the World Games, and the Regions Tradition, to local live music, to hidden gems in local shopping, to the world-class lineup of restaurants, Hoover has tons to offer to residents, guests, and visitors alike.
Enjoy Hoover is published six times a year, a joint venture between David Cohen of the Hoover Restaurant Alliance, Matthew Allen of JBMC Media, and Mitzi Eaker of Mitzi Jane Media. These three longtime Hoover residents blend a passion for their community with years of experience in communication, publishing, marketing, and hospitality.
Copies of this magazine are available at more than 100 locations throughout Hoover. Connect with us through our social media channels: Instagram (@EnjoyHoover) and Facebook (@EnjoyHoover). Visit us online at EnjoyHoover.com.
We hope you Enjoy Hoover!
Kim Cripps, editor kimcripps@gmail.com
David Cohen, co-publisher (205) 213-3617, enjoyhoover@gmail.com
Matthew Allen, co-publisher (205) 617-9609, matthew@jbmcmedia.com
Hoover and Spain Park Football Doing Whatever It Takes
BY ABBY TURNER
While the rest of us took our minds off school for the summer, the Hoover and Spain Park football teams were busy training for yet another football season as rivals. Although, despite the old saying, this is a town that might actually be big enough for the both of them.
Chip English, named interim head coach for Hoover after the resignation of Drew Gilmer, does not take his new position lightly. He said he is going to hold the coaching staff and players to a high standard, just like it’s always been at Hoover. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to lead a great program and a well-known program,
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The Spain Park Jaguars faced hometown rival Hoover Buccaneers on September 8, 2023.
Chip English, who is the interim coach of the Hoover High School football team for the remainder of the 2024 season, speaks to his players’ mothers at the team’s annual Moms Morning in August.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
Tim Vakakes, the head coach of the Spain Park High School football team since 2021, says that seeing his players grow into young men is a rewarding aspect of coaching.
and I think I’ve got big shoes to fill in regard to what Hoover Football has been through in the last 25 years,” said English. “I’m excited for the challenge.”
Formerly the quarterback coach for Hoover under Wade Waldrop last season, English will serve as the head coach at Hoover for the remainder of the season. He said he is looking forward to seeing his guys get out there and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
When asked what makes Hoover special to him, English said it is undoubtedly the people.
“It is crucial to have talent and organization on your teams,” said English. “But what people don’t see are the people in the background, the administration, the superintendent, the principal, our booster club, our band, our cheerleaders, our parents. When you have all those variables in line, your season can be magical.”
English used three words to describe his players at Hoover: resilient, mature, and fun. “They’re just fun to be around, they really are,” English said. “They’re exciting to watch. And, when you have good kids, well, it’s always fun.”
Tim Vakakes, head coach at Spain Park since 2021, says his favorite part about coaching football is seeing his players become young men. “I love the sport, the scheme, the work…but seeing kids develop into young men is fun,” said Vakakes. “The difference
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PHOTO COURTESY OF PARISA DUDLEY.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL.
in those four years makes what we do worth it.”
Vakakes was formerly the head coach at Jackson-Olin for nine years. He wasn’t planning on leaving, but when the opportunity at Spain Park arose, he said it felt like the good Lord was opening a door for him to go through, one that he didn’t know existed. “The people in this community love their kids and love their school,” said Vakakes. “It has been great from day one.”
Vakakes said challenge is in his DNA. He loves the challenge of football and the challenge of getting his players to buy into each other to reap the results. He loves that the locker room culture is a positive one now because it hasn’t always been that way. “These guys are working for each
other, instead of simply with each other,” said Vakakes. “That makes such a big difference.”
Above all, he wants to be a positive role model for the kids. He leads a devotional every practice about being a man whom others can trust and depend on, who is humble and consistent. He wants to be a coach who models all of these things.
Throughout the year, the Jaguars lift weights four days a week. They try to train like heavyweights. “I tell them all the time, every heavyweight has their favorite punch: uppercut, jab, hook,” said Vakakes. “But the champions have chins. What we do on a daily basis develops their chin.”
Fans of both teams can expect fierce competition this year. The coaches and the athletes are ready to do whatever it takes.
We’ve Got Spirit Band,
Cheer and Dance Make Football Even Better
BY ABBY TURNER
Fall wouldn’t be the same without football. And football wouldn’t be the same without the encouragement, entertainment and energy that the band, cheerleaders and dance team bring to the field.
Head coaches of band, cheer and dance at Hoover High School and Spain Park High School shared what we can expect to see from their performers at football games this season—and the magic that makes their performers so entertaining.
Drew Ellis, director of Spain Park’s band Pride of the Park, said his band is the central hub of school spirit. “We work with the cheerleaders and student section to create a loud, exciting, energetic environment,” said Ellis. “The Pride of the Park also presents a competitive advantage to our football team, helping to create the least hospitable environment possible for the opposition!”
Ellis himself loves to make music, and he feels blessed to be involved in a career that allows him to do so every day with students who share his passion and talent.
Ryan Fitchpatrick, Hoover’s band director, said this year’s Football Marching Band will be performing a show called “To Hoover, With Love” that will include popular love songs. Students, parents and football fans can expect to feel the love on the turf as Fitchpatrick and the band want to pay tribute to their school.
“The students of the Hoover band are like a family,” said Fitchpatrick. “They work together and support each other. Their dedication is second to none. We all know that Hoover High School is a special place and being here makes each of us want to give the extra sacrifice needed to climb to the top.”
Morgan Lambert, Spain Park cheerleading coach, said her performers are entertaining for their heart, passion and energy. These things become the most evident on Friday nights in the stadium. “They are all smiles as they cheer on the team and perform skills in front of the crowd,” said Lambert. “You see their joy and passion shine through in all things on the sideline, but especially when they are cheering and dancing along with the Pride of the Park Marching Band!”
Anna Claire Zylstra, varsity cheer coach at
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL AND SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Hoover, said we can expect new cheers and chants from her cheerleaders this season, designed to engage the crowd and boost team spirit. She knows her cheerleaders play a crucial role in fostering team spirit by uniting fans in support for Hoover football.
“The cheerleaders foster a strong sense of community and pride, uniting students, staff and fans through their enthusiastic performances and support for the teams,” said Zylstra. “My school stands out due to its vibrant culture, where the dedication of the cheerleaders and the commitment to excellence in academics, sports and extracurricular activities create a well-rounded and dynamic environment.”
Zylstra cherishes her position at Hoover, stating that the opportunity to inspire young minds and help them to achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. Rachel Matherson, coach of the Spain Park Dazzlers dance team, said her dancers are genuine, hard-working, and talented athletes with a unique style that sets them apart.
Her dancers showcase hip-hop, pom, jazz and kick dance styles in their routines, and though she says it can be demanding, it keeps the audiences excited. “Our energy, passion and genuine love of performing is what makes us entertaining,” said Matherson. “We strive to be unique while engaging the wide range of audiences we perform for.”
Matherson said there is no better feeling than watching her students excel while being part of a supportive group that shares her same passion.
Alicia Wilbanks, director of the varsity Buccanettes dance team at Hoover High School, said her Buccanettes and the marching band have the most fun out of anyone at Hoover football games. The Buccanettes perform dances synced to the band in the stands throughout the game, and during halftime, they dance on the field. Wilbanks said the theme of this year’s halftime show speaks to their heart for their school and community.
Wilbanks grew up as a dancer and loves her job. “My favorite thing about coaching and teaching is seeing the growth in my students over the course of the year,” said Wilbanks. “I love working with teenagers and seeing their special mix of having one foot in the world of responsibility and young adulthood while still having one foot in the fun and silliness of childhood. The fact that I can use my love for dance to reach and teach young adults is the best of both worlds!”
Next time you’re at a football game, pay attention to the sidelines. These performers and their directors never fail to entertain.
A Community Parade
BY KIM CRIPPS
Every school has its share of homecoming traditions, and Hoover High School’s annual Homecoming Parade is a community favorite.
More than 1,500 participated in last year’s parade—and this year’s event is expected to be no different. Scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, the evening parade starts near the Hoover Soccer Fields on Champions Way and winds its way to The Ship, the football stadium on Hoover’s campus. Locals line the streets, dancing to the band and gathering candy thrown from the many athletes, student groups, organizations and businesses who signed up to ride or walk in the parade.
Once at The Ship, there is a community-wide pep rally, guaranteed to get everyone excited about the upcoming football game against Birmingham’s Parker High School.
The Annual Bluff Park Art Show
BY CARMEN BROWN
Art lovers in the Hoover area are in for a treat this fall at the nationally acclaimed 61st Annual Bluff Park Art Show, planned for October 5 at Bluff Park Community Park.
What started many years ago as a local fundraiser for the Bluff Park Elementary Library is now Jefferson County’s largest and longest-running fine arts show, bringing 3,000 to 4,000 visitors annually. Visitors can browse and meet with artists who have created their own masterpieces from metal, jewelry,
photography, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, ceramics, fiber, woodwork, clay and sculpture. Children can participate in hands-on interactive activities while adults can purchase original handmade fashions and gifts.
This year’s judge will be Rod Bigelow, who has served as executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art since 2013.
The top prize is the Best in Show, which will be added to the Bluff Park Art Association’s
ON PAGE 13
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION
Artist September Reed of Birmingham received the Hugh Dye Memorial Award for Best New Artist at the 2023 Bluff Park Art Show.
THE ANNUAL BLUFF PARK ART SHOW
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Bluff Park
Community Park at 517 Cloudland Drive
Information: bluffparkartassociation.org.
Permanent Collection of more than 100 pieces chosen for display in Hoover schools and venues.
Parking will be on-site, and food will be available from delicious favorites like Kona Ice, Birmingham Wings & Waffles, G.R.’s Smokehouse, Chicks N Doughnuts, Urban Cookhouse, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Cookie Fix and Alabama Peanut Co. Music and entertainment will be provided by musician James Quackenbush and Birmingham-born singer-songwriter Alice Bargeron.
Voted Best Community Event for three years in a row by Hoover Sun and Hoover’s Magazine, the Bluff Park Art Show is held every year on the first Saturday in October. This year’s show will feature 129 artists from around the state, region and country, including 33 who will be presenting their work for the first time. This year’s artists will come from all over Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Florida and Indiana.
Each year, the Bluff Park Art Association presents a $2,500 scholarship to a graduating Spain Park or Hoover high school student who intends to pursue a career in the visual arts. The BPAA also regularly sponsors educational programs for aspiring artists in the area.
The association also sponsors a number of
Patrons of The Bluff Park Art Show enjoy shopping for original, hand-carved creations.
art-based education initiatives throughout the year, as well as numerous awards with the hope of encouraging artists to continue striving for excellence in the arts. In one exciting new endeavor, The BPAA has formed a new outreach committee led by board members Ashley Lemley and Christy Lane. BPAA members and guest artists go out into the community and share their love for art with anyone from the elderly to children at local schools. The outreach committee paid its first visit to Danberry Senior Living at Inverness, where 14 residents participated in a workshop.
This year’s show will be held Saturday, October 5, at Bluff Park Community Park at 517 Cloudland Drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www. bluffparkartassociation.org.
Aldrige Gardens Presents Taste of Hoover
BY KRISTI SELLERS
Enjoy a sampling of Hoover’s best restaurants, chefs and caterers on October 3rd from 5–8 pm at Aldridge Gardens. This annual event allows locals and visitors alike to indulge in some of the most delicious eats in the area— without leaving the Gardens.
Taste of Hoover 2024 will showcase a variety of culinary styles from more than two dozen Hoover restaurants and vendors, which means attendees can sample a large variety of food and beverages in one convenient location and for a reasonable price.
Tickets sales, which start at $45 and include admission to the event and samplings, help benefit Aldrige Gardens.
For this autumn evening event, Aldridge Gardens will be adorned with ambient lighting and feature live entertainment. Meet up with friends and make new acquaintances under the strings of lights as you listen to music and sample delicious fare.
Off-site parking and a free shuttle will be offered for the event. Patrons can park at the former Bed Bath and Beyond location at the Riverchase Crossings Shopping Center on U.S. 31.
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ALLISON CARPENTER | ENJOY HOOVER Patrons can sample food, desserts and beverages from dozens of Hoover’s best restaurants, caterers and more at Taste of Hoover.
Michelle’s Chocolate Lab will return this year with hand-made, gourmet Belgian chocolate truffles, candy bars and brownies.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
Aldridge Gardens is a staple in Birmingham, and especially in Hoover. This is the former property of Mr. Eddie and Kay Aldridge. Mr. Aldridge, a horticulturist, purchased the grounds from the Coxe family in 1977. He had a vision to turn the grounds into a public space. In 1997, the city of Hoover purchased the land now known as Aldridge Gardens.
For more information and tickets to Taste of Hoover, check out the Aldridge Gardens website at aldridgegardens.com. Tickets are $45 for Aldridge Gardens members and $50 for nonmembers.
At the time of printing, the following restaurants, caterers, dessert and beverage companies plan to participate in the 2024 Taste of Hoover:
RESTAURANTS, CATERERS AND DESSERTS
Twin Peaks Restaurant
East 59 Café
Sweet Claire’s Caboose
Rock N Roll Sushi
Happy Catering Co
Edible Arrangements
Tre Luna Bar and Kitchen/ Tre Luna Catering
Newk’s Eatery
Savoie Catering
Eugene’s Hot Chicken
Big Whiskey’s
R&S Food Service
Michelle’s Chocolate Lab
Taziki’s
Classic Catering and Events
Nothing But Noodles
Emily’s Heirloom Pound
Cakes
Saws BBQ Hoover
La Paz Restaurant and Catering
Merk’s Tavern
Walk-On’s Sports
Bistreaux
BEVERAGES
Temper Coffee
Bushwacker Spirits
Dread River Distilling Co
Surprise Yourself at Vintage Market Days
BY ABBY TURNER
Vintage Market Days, an upscale vintageinspired market where vendors and vintage lovers thrive, is coming to the Hoover Finley Center September 26-28.
At this event, vendors will sell art, antiques, jewelry, handmade items, home decor, treats, plants, and of course, clothing! Vintage Market Days is held several times a year in various
communities, and Birmingham is lucky enough to hold this event annually – all thanks to Kimberly Denard.
Denard, raised in Birmingham, has always loved small businesses and objects with a story. Her most prized possession is a red porch swing she inherited from her grandmother, one that reminds her of her grandmother’s legacy.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF VINTAGE MARKET DAYS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
When Denard attended her first Vintage Market Days event in Tennessee and kept attending similar events anywhere she could find in the Southeast, she realized the vendors themselves had stories, too – stories that inspired her to make a change in her own life.
At the time, she was a mother working in the corporate world with a passion for a different kind of life. She and her husband became vendors at Vintage Market Days, and eventually, she was able to quit her job and buy into the Birmingham, North Alabama, and Chattanooga markets. Her daughter became her business partner.
She never looked back and never regretted a thing.
Denard encourages everyone to attend the event in Birmingham this year, and to ask the vendors the stories of the things they are selling and the stories of their lives, too. You never know what you might find.
Vintage Market Days will be held over the course of three days in September. The Early Buying Event will take place on Thursday, September 26 from 3–8 pm. You can also visit the market from 9am–5pm on Saturday the 27 and 9am–4pm on Sunday the 28.
Ticket prices currently range from $10-15, depending on the ticket package you purchase. Children 12 and under are free! Once purchased, your ticket is good for re-entry into the event all weekend.
For more information, go to vintagemarketdays.com/market/birmingham.
Gabby Washington: A Trailblazer
BY EMILY HENDERSON
“I credit my parents and Hoover High School coaches. They put me in a position to thrive.”
Success is not an unfamiliar feeling for the Hoover native and University of Alabama at Birmingham’s rising track star Gabby Washington. With her name already in the record books, Washington holds the 200m freshman indoor record and 300m indoor school record.
What was once a fun social event in middle school is now a daily discipline as Washington contributes to UAB’s Division I track program. “I run now because I love it.” She jokes that training is tedious and hard to love, but the success of winning makes it all worthwhile. “Now winning, that’s the fun part!”
Before setting college records, Washington helped lead Hoover High School to a women’s indoor track championship last year, while also reaching the first-place podium in each of her events. When looking back, Washington says that first-place moment with her team is what every athlete dreams of.
Washington’s dreams have only
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continued since joining the Blazers. “I love being close to home and getting to be a Division I athlete with the education I want. I just love it here!” exclaims Washington. With eyes set on beating her 400m time of 54.9 seconds next, Washington is also focused on her biomedical sciences degree with hopes of pursuing pharmacy.
With her first collegiate outdoor season behind her, Washington is eager to make the most of her preparations for a new season. “I don’t necessarily feel pressure, but I do have an internal motivation to see how well I can do and then build on it.”
Like speed, building and creating a successful team environment does not happen by accident. Washington credits her coaches for giving her the freedom to have fun with it and run your race. Washington says it is not about managing how other people run but focusing on her efforts and simply racing the clock.
When asked about her role models, Washington quickly lists names of her own
teammates who continually inspire her and bring up the energy. She credits those teammates as “mood boosters” who are a constant reminder to give 110% every day.
Giving her best efforts daily is not new for Washington: “I try to motivate others with my actions and think positive. We get the chance to be out here and run for our school.” Washington says it is crucial to understand that running for UAB is not just an opportunity; it’s a privilege.
Washington’s attitude of gratitude has surely played a role in her early success but says “I never would have thought I’d be doing all this. I keep getting pleasantly surprised.”
Her record-breaking accolades may be a personal shock, but Washington’s teammates would describe her as peppy, focused, and fast. Those three words can easily be seen as center principles to Washington’s life on and off the track.
Washington will don the Blazer green and gold for another three years and hopes her freshman year records will motivate her and others: “It takes a lot of discipline, but it is so worth it. That discipline will carry you the rest of your life.”
Four-Legged Friends in Hoover
BY KIM CRIPPS
FIDOS Facility Dogs is a local non-profit organization that brings motivation, comfort, hope, and encouragement to the community through companionship with man’s best friend.
Enjoy Hoover sat down with Kelly Schaeffer, one of the organization’s founders, to learn more about how their carefully trained standard poodles meet a wide variety of needs for our friends and neighbors.
Enjoy Hoover: How did FIDOS Facility Dogs get its start?
Kelly Schaeffer: FIDOS Facility Dogs was founded in November 2021 by Judith Thomason, Tracy Anderson and myself. We share a passion for dogs and for serving our community. We collectively had experience raising and training therapy, facility, and service dogs. We wanted to start an organization that focused solely on raising and training facility dogs and placing them within the community.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIDOS FACILITY DOGS.
EH: You have a big fundraiser coming up! Where and when will it be held? And how can people learn more about it?
Kelly: As a 100% volunteer non-profit organization, we are ALWAYS fundraising! We are planning an October event at a local brewery to spread the word about who we are and what we do in the community. Check our website in September at www.fidosfacilitydogs. org for more details.
Our primary fundraisers are individuals and corporate partners who believe in our mission and volunteer to host a “Friends of FIDOS” event at their house or place of business. They invites friends, family and colleagues over, and we bring a presentation, some swag and dog or two for your guests to interact with.
EH: What does the training process entail?
Kelly: It takes a lot of time, patience and training to get a facility dog ready for work at his or her placement. Our unique training model incorporates the future facility and its staff early in a dog’s training. The dog gets to know the staff, the facility and the people attending that facility at a young age. When they finish their training at 18–24 months, there is a smooth transition from FIDOS to the facility and handler. We believe this model reduces stress on the dog and handlers and encourages the dog’s early adaptation to their role at the facility.
EH: Where do FIDOS dogs go after completing their training?
Kelly: Our dogs are placed at educational and non-profit organizations and facilities. Our dogs may also partner with healthcare professionals, law enforcement or other non-profit organizations that serve special populations. We welcome all facilities that are interested in getting a facility dog.
EH: Is there a well-known FIDOS dog in the community?
Kelly: Liberty, known as Libby, serves at the Hoover Public Library. She was our first placement, and she is a tremendous asset to the community. Libby excels in the Read with Me programs and is frequently seen greeting library patrons, participating in children and teen programs, or reading with young students. She also provides emotional and social benefits to her colleagues and fellow employees at the library. She is an amazing partner to her handler, Wendy Geist.
EH: Why are trained facility dogs important to the Hoover community?
Kelly: There is so much empirical evidence about the role that dogs have during intentional interactions with humans by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving mood, reducing fear and anxiety, and even lowering pain during procedures. Dogs can motivate and encourage adults and children to stick to a task and exercise. Our dogs have even worked with occupational therapists to help facilitate the client to meet their therapy goals. We believe our facility dogs play a unique and significant role in bringing together and serving a diverse community.
A podcast about Hoover, for Hoover
Around Hoover
BY KATIE HOLT + ALLISON CARPENTER
From cozy festivals to fun outdoor events, Hoover has many ways to enjoy the crisp air and seasonal vibes. We hope you discover a fall event that you can savor and make the most of the season!
In celebration of National Ice Cream Day on July 21, the Hoover Police Department and Hoover Fire Department went head to head in a friendly ice cream eating contest at The Whole Scoop to benefit Hoover Helps. The Hoover Fire Department won in what shop owner David Cohen said was “a great challenge!”
September 7: Hoover Stair Climb to Remember at Riverchase Galleria starting at 9:00 a.m.
Honor the lives lost on 9/11 by climbing 110 stories, symbolizing the height of the World Trade Center. Participate as a team or individual. Proceeds support the Hoover Public Safety Charity Foundation. Register at https://bit.ly/46U9XpS.
September 12: Alabama Wireless Association Annual Golf Tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join the Alabama Wireless Association for their 20th Annual benefit tournament. Proceeds support The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. Enjoy networking and a great day of golf. Visit alabamawireless.org for details.
September 14: 5th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo at the Finley Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event offers interactive exhibits, giveaways and entertainment while connecting attendees with local resources. Visit the Hoover Chamber of Commerce website for details.
September 20-22: The Casual Pint 5-Year Anniversary and Oktoberfest Event
This family-friendly celebration includes activities for kids, music all day and a Stein Hoist competition with a chance to win a title belt, a cash prize and a shot at the state championship in Cullman.
Nick Smith, who coaches freshmen football and girls’ soccer at Hoover High School, won The Whole Scoop’s annual ice cream eating contest for the fourth year. Smith won free ice cream for a year, and proceeds from the event benefit Hoover Helps.
September 26-28: Vintage Market Days at The Finley Center
Shop the “Firesides and Flannel” themed fall market with a vintage feel for original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry and more. Visit vintagemarketdays.com for more information.
September 27: Hoover High School
Homecoming Game vs. A.H. Parker at The Hoover Met at 7:00 p.m.
Cheer on the Hoover Buccaneers varsity football team as they take on A.H. Parker High School. Wear black and orange, enjoy concessions and take in energetic performances from the band, cheerleaders and dance team.
September 28: 15th Annual Head Over Teal 5K & 10K at The Preserve in Hoover starting at 8:00 a.m.
Support GYN cancer awareness at the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation’s Head Over Teal race. Run or walk through the scenic Preserve neighborhood while raising funds for awareness and research. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at thinkoflaura.org.
October 3: Taste of Hoover at Aldridge Gardens from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sample food from Hoover’s top restaurants while enjoying live music in the scenic Aldridge Gardens. Tickets are available online at aldridgegardens.com.
October 5: 61st Annual Bluff Park Art Show from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Explore a showcase of art from local and national artists, with live music and food vendors in Bluff Park. Admission is free, and proceeds support community art initiatives.
October 18: Spain Park High School
Homecoming Game vs. Calera at Spain Park High School at 7:00 p.m.
Join the Spain Park Jaguars as they take on Calera High School for their homecoming game. Show your school spirit by wearing navy and sky blue, and enjoy the halftime performances by the band, cheerleaders and dance team.
October 31: Trick or Treat at Hoover Public Library - All Day
Enjoy trick or treating at the library! Stop by anytime during the day for some Halloween fun.
