Rhododendron Festival 2008 Mentone, Alabama Brow Park
Evening May 16, Day & Evening May 17, Day May 18 Spring Celebration in Historic Mentone Entertainment - Fine Art - Crafts - Boat Rides - Food - FUN - Prizes... Spring’s arrival is heralded by many
more things than a date on a calendar. For many, it is the sighting
of a robin. For others it’s the greening of trees and lawns.
In northeast Alabama’s DeKalb County, spring has always been heralded by
the arrival of the many varieties of wildflowers that grow on the
mountains and in the valleys. One of the most beautiful is the
rhododendron which has been celebrated by an annual Rhododendron Festival
for a quarter of a century drawing more vendors, more entertainment and
more families This year’s festival takes place on May 16th through 18th in Mentone. Festivities kick-off at the Mentone Inn Square at 6:30 pm Friday night. Lisa Crow and her friends and family will provide musical entertainment, story telling by Martha Templeton and the evening will culminate with a bonfire by the Boy Scouts. There will be hot chocolate and baked goods from the Mentone Coffee Shop. The first full day, Saturday is full of food and entertainment. Saturday’s entertainment consists of Ashley Marie Miller, a twelve year old, Gospel music with Mrs. Gibson, 11:00 am Abby Parks will sing contemporary Christian and other contemporary music, much of which she writes. At noon the Moon Lake school will present a play. Saturday night from 7:00 pm to 8:30 Southern Vogue will perform at the square with another bonfire. Sunday afternoon entertainment includes Scottsboro Cloggers and Silverliners line dancers from Fort Payne as well as the Single Club Dance. Food vendors include Smoky Joe Barbecue, seafood with southern favorite catfish, Coney Island hotdogs, nachos, snow cones, Cajun fries and caramel apples, kettle corn and Caribbean food. There will be a parade on Saturday afternoon complete with Mardi Gras beads thrown to children of all ages. Vendors include stained glass, leather goods, paintings, pen and ink drawings, jewelry, wood carvings, paintings on tile and window panes and knitted items. Rhododendron and other plants will be on sale during the festival. Each year all the ladies are excited to have a chance to win the beautiful handmade queen-sized quilt valued at over $300. Louise Headrick of Sand Mountain made this year’s quilt. Tickets are only $1.00 and the drawing will take place on Sunday afternoon. One of the highlights of the Festival is the boat rides down Little River. It offers an opportunity to see the rhododendrons and other wild flowers that frame the banks and extend up through the woods. The rides leave from the park area near Desoto Falls. Mentone and the surrounding area provide many opportunities for evening dining. Dessie’s, Wildflower and Winwood are Mentone restaurants offering a variety of excellent cuisine. It takes more than a day to enjoy the full Rhododendron Festival experience. There are several bed and breakfasts in the Mentone area as well as cabins at Desoto State Park. RV hookups are available for those who wish to bring their own lodging. For more information about dining or lodging, you can call Ronda Brunckno at the Welcome Center at 800-799-1878 or 256-634-4333 who will be glad to connect you with area cabins or Bed and Breakfast lodging. This is a family oriented event and there is no admission charge.
Remember to buy your raffle tickets to win a handmade
quilt. Vendor Information:
800-799-1878 or 256-634-4333, Ronda Brunckno Copyright © 2008 Mentone Area Preservation Association, Inc. All rights reserved. |
