Double the Friday fun

Cullman Times (AL)

Aug. 08--A pair of major street events along Cullman's First Avenue and nearby environs will make downtown a lively place well into the evening this Friday.

Celebrate Cullman, a showcase of downtown businesses and a commemoration of the community's rebuilding efforts following the 2011 tornado outbreak, will take over First Avenue's southern end beginning at 4 p.m. Friday.

Packed out with music, rides and games, Celebrate Cullman was created by the Downtown Merchants Association shortly after the April 27, 2011 tornado that tore through a large portion of the downtown business district and residential area.

The free-admission annual festival has drawn large crowds, overlapping this year (and in the past two years) with activities farther north along the same street, as 2nd Fridays extends the pedestrian-friendly party for the full length of the street's run through the business district.

Activities include rides, games, a prize tent, and musical performances staged in the lot across from Moe's Original BBQ southward toward the Busy Bee Cafe, as well as near Carlton's Italian. Those who play games and enjoy the rides will receive tickets to turn in at the prize tent for gifts.

Celebrate will be situated on the south side of U.S. Highway 278 along First Avenue, as well as eastward toward Carlton's Italian Restaurant and Dixie Duds. The festival runs from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Across Highway 278, the party continues with the return of 2nd Fridays, the monthly street festival hosted by Cullman Parks and Recreation and the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.

The August installment will feature updates to the lengthy assortment of activities, music, food, and games that dominate the Warehouse District, highlighted, as always, by the Branham Accessories -- Line-X antique and classic car Cruise-In. Staging for the popular car show starts around 3:30 p.m. at Depot Park, with cars set to begin rolling in at 5 p.m.

Like Celebrate Cullman, 2nd Friday is free to attend and begins at 4 p.m., running well into the after-dark hours.

In addition to the car show, this month's lineup of 2nd Friday activities will feature:

Music by Drivin' Blind on the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill Restaurant Stage

Music by Trick Zipper on the Shirley Quattlebaum -- State Farm Insurance Agency Stage

Music by Alex Swindle on the Artist Alley Stage

The R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc. Show Lot, with RVs, the Buffalo Wild Wings Kids Zone, the Cullman County Public Library System Bookmobile and the U Do It Snow Kone Factory truck

The James R. Smith Trucking Artist Alley, with artists, Chamber member pop-up shops and music

Farm Y'all Cullman, sponsored by the Cullman County Industrial Development Authority and highlighted by a specially-opened Festhalle Farmers Market. This month's activities will also include a mechanical bull, sponsored by C.H. Harris

A peach-themed food demonstration, sponsored by American Proteins, Inc.

Extended retail and dining hours at participating Cullman Warehouse District and Downtown Cullman stores

An assortment of food trucks

The Cullman County Conservation District's Agventure trailer

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