A WEEK LIKE NO OTHER

STORYBY BETSY ILER

Get 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 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.

KidsFest activities this year include plenty of opportunities to get wet, get creative and get healthy. There will be water slides, splashplex fun, magicians, sundaes and new exercise routines. Bring the kids, the grandkids, their cousins and friends for activities that are designed to delight and amaze.

Add an extra challenge to your usual round of golf on Tuesday, Aug. 4, by playing the second nine in the dark. The $45 entry fee per person includes greens fees and cart, dinner and glow-inthe-dark supplies for this four-person scramble at Lakewinds Golf Course.

Everyone is invited to Bingo at at 1 p.m. at The Mill Two Eighty on Wednesday, Aug. 5; then, return to the The Mill Two Eighty at 6 p.m. for Faith Night, a worship experience featuring local praise teams and free hamburgers and hot dogs.

Celebrate America’s heroes on Thursday, Aug. 6, at Bill Nichols Veterans Summer's Best in Alexander City Home in the morning, Clockwise from Facing Page: The concert crowd begins to gather for the Friday night Jazz Fest event; A decorated pie looks as good as it tastes in the and Thursday evening, pick a partner for the cornhole tournament. Register baking contest; Build Your Own Sundae is a popular event for children; All kinds of pets are eligible for entry in the DawgGawn Good Parade; Finding the medallion wins $200.

early at alexandercitychamber.com. The registration fee is $50 per twoperson team and includes dinner for two during the tournament. And Thursday evening, bring a picnic supper and a cool beverage to Strand Park for the Strand Session concert, featuring Tony Brook. Visit the Lake Martin Young Professionals Facebook page for details. Bring your blue ribbon dessert to the Lake Martin Innovation Center on Friday morning to see how it stacks up against the best cooks in town. Or just come taste the sweet treats and vote for the People’s Choice dessert. Sun Festival rolls right into Jazz Fest at Strand Park on Friday night. This free concert series has rocked the town for 30 years. In addition to jazz, blues and Southern rock, don’t miss the decorated tables and dancing in the street at Alexander City’s signature concert event.

Jazz Fest goes to the lake on Saturday with a second free concert series at Lake Martin Amphitheater. Three great bands for dancing the night away – until next year.