A special publication of
Thanks to our $9 million investment, he’s breathing a little easier. Our recently completed $9 million upgrade to our North Shelby Water Resource Reclamation Facility has dramatically reduced the amount of phosphorus in the clean water we return to the Cahaba River. That means we haven’t just met or surpassed all state and federal health standards. We’ve also helped lower the likelihood of algal blooms, which rob wildlife of life-giving oxygen in the water.
And that’s just one of the ways we’re working to make ours a better, healthier community, along with supporting organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby County, and SafeHouse of Shelby County, among many others. Our pledge to you: we’ll keep working for a healthier river, and a healthier community. Which means we can all breathe a little easier.
To learn more, visit CleanerCahaba.info
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Buck Creek Festival Guide
What ’s going on at the Buck Creek Festival?
Editorial
Buck Creek tradition.........................................................................4
Sparacino, Neal Wagner
Schedule of events...........................................................................6
Graham Brooks, Molly Davidson, Baker Ellis, Emily
Production
Jamie Dawkins, Layken Gibbs, Robyn Holm, Amanda Porter
Marketing Kristy Brown, April Cobb, Emily Connell, Ashley Duckett, Daniel Holmes, Nicole Loggins, Rhett
Buck Creek Festival sponsors...........................................................7 Band lineup......................................................................................8 Lucky Ducks...................................................................................10
McCreight, Meagan Mims, Kim McCulla, Kari Yoder
Buck Creek Festival arts and crafts vendors....................................12
Administration
Buck Creek Festival food and info vendors......................................13
Dolbare, Laurel Cousins
Parking information.........................................................................14
Tim Prince, Katie McDowell, Mary Jo Eskridge, Hailey
Festival Organizers
Ron Holly, Amy Lisenba, Cris Nelson, Jack Gray, Jennifer Richards, Brian Peters, Bob van Loan, Stephanie Gray, Mike Clark, Henry Neff, Mike Mason, Jim Wathen, Jim McKinley, Jim Larusso
Buck Creek Festival 2015 • 3
The Buck Creek Festival provides a 14th year of fun
By MOLLY DAVIDSON Staff Writer
H
elena’s annual Buck Creek Festival returns to Amphitheater Park for a 14th year with two days of games, rides, food, shopping and live entertainment. The event draws between 12,000 and 20,000 attendants and raises money for local charities. This year’s event features more than 100 vendors representing four states and 50 cities across Alabama, event organizer Ron Holly said. “We’ve got a good selection again, we always do,” Holly said, noting the festival includes vendors selling everything from ladies clothing and jewelry to “iron work for your yard.” However, the Buck Creek Festival is more than just shopping, it’s fun for the
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whole family. Kids of all ages can enjoy face painting, rides and inflatables. There will also be a variety of food available. Ten bands will provide live musical entertainment throughout the two-day festival. At the end of the event, all proceeds raised go to local charities and organizations. This year, the event will benefit the Helena High School Band, the local chapter of the Kiwanis Club and the Helena Police and Fire explorers programs, to name a few groups. “We wish we had more (money), we’d try to give to everybody,” Holly said.
Since the event began 14 years ago, the Buck Creek Festival has raised nearly $204,000 for various charities. How much work goes into planning this annual Helena tradition? “A life,” Holly said with a laugh. “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work.”
Putting together the Buck Creek Festival is a year-round affair for a dedicated group of volunteers. The group meets immediately following each festival to evaluate the event, and although Holly said they “take the summer off,” planning resumes in September. “It’s a lot of time, but we’ve got a good group of volunteers,” Holly said.
“No one gets a salary for this, no one gets any money for this.” The months of preparation, planning and numerous meetings that go into the Buck Creek Festival every year are always worth it, Holly said, explaining he enjoys seeing the finished product. “My favorite part is seeing everyone come together and everyone have a good time,” Holly said.
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Buck Creek Festival 2015 Schedule Friday, May 8 6:00 p.m. Gypsydrifter 8:00 p.m. Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster
Saturday, May 9 10:00 a.m. The Heavy Hearts 11:00 a.m. Megan Kane 12:30 p.m. Sweet Tea Trio 1:45 p.m. Helena High School Jazz Band
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4:00 p.m. Razz Ma Tazz 5:30 p.m. M-80’s 7:00 p.m. Deputy 5 8:30 p.m. Fly By Radio Helena Amphitheater Old Town Helena
• FREE ADMISSION • No dogs, coolers or alcoholic beverages
Visit Buckcreekfestival.com
Buck Creek Festival 2015 Sponsors Presenting Clear Channel Radio Stations – The Bull & Magic 96 • ABC 33/40 • Helena Reporter
Patron Vulcan Materials – Helena Quarry • Regions Bank • Sunbelt Rentals • Alabama Tourism Board
Official Karen Miller Allstate • Deb’s Party Rentals • Senator Cam Ward • Publix Supermarket • Essential Solutions LLC • Garver Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama • Nino’s Italian Restaurant • ENT for Kids Alabama • Smitty’s Golf Carts Shelby Baptist Medical Center • Papa Saia’s • It’s About Time Urgent Care
Activity Hillsboro Subdivision • Pepsi/Buffalo Rock • Children’s of Alabama • Allied Waste Services • House Representative Matt Fridy Pinnex Group • Rio’s Bar & Grill • DEA Home Property • Scozzaro Law, LLC • True Value Hardware of Helena Alpha Orthopedic Center Inc • Helena Landscape Supply • In Memory of Larry Childers • Cahaba Dental Arts Top It Off/Chevron/Wash it Off • Home Plate Cooking
Contributing Weather Events LLC • Thoroughbred Strategic Services • Loading Dock South • Brighthouse Network • Quality Inn
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2015 Band Lineup — Friday, May 8 —
— Saturday, May 9 —
• SWEET TEA TRIO 12:30 p.m.
• GYPSYDRIFTER
• THE HEAVY HEARTS
6:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m.
Reverbnation.com/gypsydrifter Facebook.com/micheal.hunter.37
Reverbnation.com/heavyhearts Facebook.com/theheavyhearts
Gypsydrifter is a six-piece Southern blues rock ‘n’ roll band that hails from Bowling Green, Kentucky. With a sound all of their own, Gypsydrifter’s high energy on stage shoots electricity throughout the crowds they perform for, therefore creating a familylike bond with all their fans.
• DOCTOR ZARR’S AMAZING FUNK MONSTER 8:00 p.m. Funkmonster.com Facebook.com/doctorzarr Dr. Zarr has entertained legions of funky partygoers throughout the south for over a decade. From disco infernos to 80s glam rock, these guys have created one of the most energetic, fun and professional party bands you’ll ever see. With costume changes, great sound and lighting systems, and lots of audience participation, Dr. Zarr will make your event the one they’ll be talking about all year. 8 • Buck Creek Festival 2015
This band presents an Americana and folk-rock sound, soulfully based in their own reality. An amazing original sound that will embrace your musical heart leaving you wanting for more. You won’t be sorry for arriving early.
Sweetteatrio.com Facebook.com/sweetteatrio “Sweet Tea Trio” is Alabama’s dynamic country trio that’s currently making their mark on country music. Hailing from three different parts of Alabama, Kate Falcon, Victoria Camp and Savannah Coker have joined forces to give country music fans their taste of an all-female trio since groups like the Dixie Chicks and the Pistol Annie’s. Their trademark is their harmonies and collectively they sing with a beautiful blend of Southern charm and a little bit of country twang. They are all singer/songwriters and musicians, but most importantly, you will see true entertainers.
• MEGAN KANE
• HELENA HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND
11:00 a.m.
1:45 p.m.
Megankane.bandzoogle.com Facebook.com/Megan.Kane.Music
Helenahighband.com Facebook.com/HelenaHighSchoolBand
Nashville recording artist Megan Kane is a country music singer/songwriter and self-taught musician from the great state of Alabama. Her first CD, “Final Address,” is on sale now at Megankane.bandzoogle. com. Writing songs from her small town point of view, Megan is bringing stories to life in her own sweet, sassy, soulful style. Her heartfelt sound and belting voice is one you won’t soon forget, and that is exactly what this Southern beauty is counting on. You don’t want to miss this rising star.
In its inaugural season, the Helena High School Jazz Band has been active in the community already playing at several events for the school, school system and the Helena community in general. Made up of students in grades 9-12, the band performs a wide variety of jazz arrangements ranging from big band swing classics to more contemporary charts written in the last few years. The band currently includes 24 members and is set-up as a modified big band.
• RAZZ-MA-TAZZ 4:00 p.m. Facebook.com/pages/RazzMa-Tazz/395699736577
Total average savings of
$763*
Razz Ma Tazz have been friends for many years and finally decided to pool their talents, with over 150 years of combined experience, forming one of the most unique bands around. Their versatility reaches out to all ages including the sounds of motown, blues, rock, dance and country. Razz Ma Tazz was the house band at Hogan’s Irish Pub from 1998 until 2013. Since then the band has played at The Back Nine, The Roller Coaster and Gabriel’s among other places. Razz Ma Tazz is currently the house band at Bar 31 in Vestavia.
• M-80’S 5:30 p.m. Facebook.com/80srock If you’re looking for a band that brings the hits of the 80’s, this is the band for you. Not limited to just that era, the M-80’s provide an exceptional experience for the individual wanting to relive memories from their high school or college days. You won’t be disappointed by setting up your place in the audience early.
• DEPUTY 5 7:00 p.m. Deputy5.com Facebook.com/ deputyfive “Country music with authority!” ...Deputy 5 is a country band based in Birmingham, Alabama. We are a four-piece band consisting of bass, drums, lead guitar/fiddle, acoustic guitar and three vocalists. We have an extensive list of songs that range anywhere from the latest country hits to the classic country of the Haggard/Cash era. However, we have also been known to break into a Southern anthem like “Sweet Home Alabama” on occasion.
• FLY BY RADIO 8:30 p.m. Flybyradio.com Facebook.com/ flybyradio Based out of Birmingham, AL, Fly By Radio spends their weekends zig-zagging the Southeast entertaining people of all ages. Playing everything from classics to modern hits for college parties, festivals, corporate events and weddings, it’s sure to be a good time. Buck Creek Festival 2015 • 9
The legend of the
Buck Creek Duck Race
By GRAHAM BROOKS Staff Writer
I
t’s a warm Saturday afternoon in May and a large crowd begins to form all down the banks of Buck Creek in Helena. If you’re an outsider, you are probably wondering what’s going on. The Buck Creek Festival is entering its 14th year as Helena’s premier family festival and more than $204,000 has been given back to the community over the past 14 years. The two-day festival brings vendors, musical entertainment and more, but one of the most famous aspects of the festival is
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"I just love being down in the crowd and watching the anticipation on the kids faces as they see a sea of ducks come over the waterfall.” — CRIS NELSON the Buck Creek Duck Race that takes place on Saturday afternoon. The first year the race took place, only a few hundred ducks were entered into the
contest, and now the race has grown to more than 2,500 rubber racing ducks that are placed in Buck Creek and raced to see who has the fastest duck. Anyone is allowed to sponsor a duck to be entered into the race for the cost of $5. There are also opportunities for those to sponsor a flock of ducks for $25. A flock includes five ducks and a free Buck Creek T-shirt. All the proceeds from the duck race will go toward the Helena Band Boosters and it is considered the biggest fundraiser of the entire festival. The race will begin on Saturday, May 9, at 3 p.m., as the ducks will be taken to the top
of the falls of Buck Creek. A new pontoon boat has been purchased this year for the release of the ducks and Buck Creek Information Chairperson Cris Nelson is excited about this year’s race. “I’m real proud of what we’re able to do and we work really hard as an all volunteer group to put this together,” said Nelson. “I just love being down in the crowd and watching the anticipation on the kids faces as they see a sea of ducks come over the waterfall. It’s fun to watch them hoping to see if their duck will come over the waterfall, and to watch them enjoy it.” Once the race concludes, there can only be one “lucky duck.” The sponsor of the winning duck will receive a first place
prize of $500, followed by a $250 prize for second place and $100 prize for third place, respectively. Some of the unsung heroes of the duck race are the duck wranglers, whose job is to gather up ducks that may stray from the pack and take different routes down Buck Creek. “The wranglers have become famous and we’ve given them notoriety,” said Nelson. “We have three tiers of wranglers to catch ducks with big fishing nets and canoes. They have to identity the winners and need to rescue the ducks that try to go different ways. We have celebrity duck wranglers, and in the past have had senators do it. It’s just fun.”
TERMITE & PEST CONTROL INC Serving the State of Alabama Since 1965 Pelham, AL 35124
Contact Us at 663-4200 or online at www.vulcantermite.com Buck Creek Festival 2015 • 11
Buck Creek Festival Vendors FOOD Bayou Billy’s Sweet Dixie Tea Caribbean Spot Cafe Pina coladas Dan’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Frio’s Gourmet Pops Full Moon BBQ
Firefly Workshop Cooler boxes and bottle cap art Gemini Treats Prepackaged gourmet mixes Gifts by Laura Wreaths, frames and handmade gifts
Jean and Gene Foods
Gilley’s Dancin Puppets Puppets, wreaths and embroidered items
Kona Ice Shaved ice
Gourmet Creations Prepackaged dip mixes
Peanuts
Grace Girl Beads Handmade beaded metal and leather jewelry
Reds Mexican/American food Repicci’s Italian Ice Texas Roadhouse Venice Gelato
RETAIL 31 Gifts Monogramed purses, totes and carry bags A Beautiful Touch Hair wraps, bows, bottle cap jewelry and scarves Amy Ruth Boutique Children’s clothing, monogramming and embroidery BFF Creations Jewelry, leather and metal stamped cuffs Black Tie Media Kids toys, bubble guns and glow sticks Bussey’s Southern Tees T-shirts for southern, country, sassy chicks Cheese Pleasure Claresa Prestridge Iron items, plant stands and Alabama and Auburn signs Crafted Quills Hand-turned wooden and acrylic pens Curious Fish Jewelry and Design Pearl and leather jewelry and wooden picture frames Debra/Jimmy Ray Custom Tees 12 • Buck Creek Festival 2015
Eastaboga Bee Co. Honey and products from honey
Gypsies Wind Women’s clothing sold from a vintage trailer Jamberry Nails Nail wraps and hand care products Jawaja Tote bags, jewelry, key chains, etc. Jess’s Dresses Ladies’ clothing Jewelry from Joyce Jonah Schaffer Tie dye shirts and paintings Kelly Gamble Jewelry, knitted and crocheted items Lazarus Design Steampunk inspired jewelry LTD Therapeutic Jewelry Jewelry and gifts Lucky Daisy Women’s boutique apparel Magical Designs Monogramed hats, shirts, towels and children’s clothing Mary Kay Makeup Masquerade Face Painting Face painting Parker’s Lens Photography Prints, canvas prints and greeting cards Sammy Reaves Caps of all kinds Scentsy Warmers, wax, sprays and body products
Buck Creek Festival Vendors Silpada Jewelry Jewelry South Hills Designs Jewelry chains Southern Natural Soap Soap Space Air Airbrushing Airbrushed tattoos Studio V Salon Hair products, candles and nail wraps Thomas Kober Reptiles, lizards, turtles and geckos Usborne Books and More Books
INFORMATION Advo-Care Nutritional Products Adams Homes, LLC Alabama Splash Adventure Aqua Clear of Alabama Durante Home Exteriors Ecoview Windows and Doors Helena Health Club Oak Mountain Orthodontics Old Towne Music
V H Designs Custom handmade wooden signs and picture frames
Ortho South / Juice Plus
Wicks End Creations Stone monogramed coasters and jewelry
Shelby Pediatric Dentistry
Younique 3-D lashes, makeup and skincare
Bungy Jump
PNC Bank
RIDES
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Parking Information FREE PARKING for the festival is available at Ruffin Park, Helena Elementary School and Helena Baptist Church. A festival shuttle will run on Friday afternoon and Saturday to Lot A. Lot B at Helena Elementary will be closed Friday. Festival shuttle will run until 30 minutes after the festival closes. Best parking will be at Lot A.
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