Organizers said Friday night’s 2nd Fridays event might be the biggest one yet. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – On Friday evening, downtown Cullman saw what might be its biggest 2nd Fridays celebration yet, with multiple features coming together to create a something-for-everyone experience.
Adding to the festivities was the inaugural Furry 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Dog Walk. The event included prizes for competitive runners, contests in categories like dog/owner look-alike and waggiest tail, and a host of puppy-powered vendors and activities in Depot Park.
Regular 2nd Fridays activities in the Warehouse District, like Farm Y'all Cullman, antique and classic car Cruise-In (which drew approximately 300 entries this time around), the Cullman County Conservation District's Agventure trailer, peach-themed food demonstrations, Artist Alley, live entertainment and kids’ inflatables and games.
Merchants throughout the Warehouse District and downtown business district stayed open late for evening shopping, and this month, running alongside 2nd Fridays, the Downtown Cullman Merchants Association’s “Celebrate Cullman” extended the overall event further south down First Avenue with inflatables, carnival rides, games and music.
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Leah Bolin shared, “You know, each time we like to add a different level of things to do, to bring different kinds of Chamber members to our event to be able to talk about their businesses, and also just make it really fun for the community, as you can see here in Depot Park.
“Last month, we had Ladies’ Night in the park. And so, this time we’ve done the ‘Woof Local’ movement, and so we had the Furry 5K Run and the 1-Mile Family Dog Walk. And then we have all kinds of dog activities and vendors in the park. And, in addition to that, we had the dog parade, with the winners for those categories.
“So it was really fun, because people have been out in the park since 5 p.m., since we opened up, and they’ve just been kind of laying around and enjoying their dogs, and enjoying their time with their family. It’s been very chill and relaxed, and the fun activities we’ve had; I think they’ve really enjoyed it.”
September’s season-closing 2nd Fridays on Sept. 14 will feature a carnival for area nonprofit charitable organizations, a regional cornhole tournament with prizes of $500, $200 and $100 for the top winners and Australian-born and Nashville-based country band Dozzi, who topped the country charts in their home country before coming to the U.S.
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