Wes George and Sydney Nesmith enjoy petting the animals in the children’s area during the Depot Days Festival held Saturday. | Randy Garrison

Depot Days hits homerun #36

Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

Before the sunset on Friday evening and the kickoff took place at J.P. Cain Stadium, food vendors were already gearing up for the Depot Days Celebration the next day. The Hartselle Enquirer sponsored big tent was set up and ready for the entertainment that would take place on Saturday. The streets were marked off and the volunteers had been recruited and all was set for the 36th annual Depot Days Festival.

Early Saturday morning, before sunrise, vendors, artists and others began setting their tents up to sell their wares, display their crafts and others ready to give out information to promote their cause. Approximately 150 vendors were registered and set up on Railroad, Main, Sparkman, Sycamore and the new parking lot on West Main. The smell of food cooking could be found as one drove into Hartselle from any direction. Local merchants were prepared for the extra shoppers they hoped to lure into their shops as well.

The overcast sky kept temperatures down and a few showers between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. may have kept a few folks away, but by noon the streets of downtown were full of folks looking for bargains, specialty items from vendors and shopping with downtown merchants as well.

“The weather was a pleasant change from the previous few years, with the overcast skies and lower temperatures it was a great day to shop,” according to Zoey’s Downtown owner, Janan Downs. “We had a great day and it continues to get better each day,” Downs mentioned about the annual event.

Travis Smith, owner of the Rustic Nail, said Depot Days is their best day of the year and they look forward to the event each year. He said it is a great opportunity for downtown merchants to bring in new revenue.

Shelley Paulsen of Behind the Canvas had new artwork on display and was happy to show a new piece of art she recently completed of the “Humpty Dumpty Bridge.”  Melissa Bright of Whinny Wisdom had the front and inside of here shop decorated for the days with hay bales and a fall tree inside.  Ann Tucker with Slate Gallery held her annual frame sale and moved several frames and prints. Shopping bags from other merchants could be seen as one moved through the festival and the turnout of attendees looked to keep pace with previous years.

Vendors who set up in the Children’s Area all shared they enjoyed a good day and told chamber board members they enjoyed the day and would be back for the next year’s event. The smiles from children and parents could be seen as one walked through the area as young ones jumped on the bungees, petted animals and rode ponies.

Dan Copeland, chairman of the Chamber Board, manned the entertainment tent and felt the turnout was really good and the talent of those who performed was great.  “I think we had a good event this year and we will be planning next year’s event beginning this week,” Copeland mentioned. He also complimented Chamber President Danielle Gibson and her assistant Crystal Shutt, for the hard work and dedication they gave to the event this year.

Gibson, HACC president, who now has her first Depot Day under her belt wanted to thank all who came out and enjoyed the day. “I appreciate the help from our board of directors, chamber ambassadors, my husband Jesse and all the people who volunteered many hours to enable the chamber to hold the event,” Gibson remarked. “This is a great function that brings hundreds of people into Hartselle and we want to give them a good time when they are here,” Gibson stated.

Saturday’s events concluded the annual Depot Day’s Week.