A Week Like No Other
STORY BY BETSY ILER
G
et ready to celebrate summer: Sun Festival opens Friday, July 31, with 26 events in Alexander City and the Lake Martin area, including music, activities, contests and a weeklong medallion hunt for a daily prize of $200. That means stocking up on sunblock, choosing your events and activities and registering early for those with limited participation. Presented by District 2 Tallapoosa County Commissioner Steve Robinson and coordinated by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, this year’s schedule offers new events, like an axe throwing tournament at Nub Chuckers, as well as traditional favorites, such as the Dawg-Gawn Good Parade and the KidsFest Build Your Own Sundae at Carlisle’s. The nine-day celebration culminates with the final Jazz Fest concert at the Lake Martin Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 8. The schedule kicks off at the Town Green at Russell Crossroads with Friday on the Green at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and a picnic – even the family dog on a leash – and spend the evening visiting with family 16 Lake Martin Living
and friends, enjoying the music and the summer night. In town, the inaugural axe-throwing tournament at 6 p.m. includes dinner for participating teams of two and prize packages for the first place and runner-up teams. Registration starts at 6 p.m. and is $50 per two-person team. The competition heats up at 7 p.m. New last year – and a tremendous hit – was the Tykes in Trucks event downtown. This free event puts the little tykes in some very big trucks – fire trucks, tow trucks, tractors, road machinery and more. There will be music, games for the kids and a dunking booth. Downtown merchants will offer food, drinks and treats. The first medallion hunt, sponsored by Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, will begin at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3. Listen for the early morning riddle on The Front Porch/ Kowaliga Country 97.5. Solve the riddle to learn the location of the hidden medallion to win $200. The hunt begins anew every day through Friday with a new riddle; a new hiding place for the medallion; and another $200 prize.
