Beautiful weather set the stage for a fun and successful event. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
FAIRVIEW – A sunny Randall Shedd Community Park was filled with visitors, vendors and vehicles from all around Cullman on Saturday. The reason? To take part in Fairview Band's fourth annual Car & Tractor Show. Started as a way to fund the purchase new band uniforms, the show has expanded to cover general band costs and instrument maintenance. It is one of the biggest sources of funding for the band, which receives no funds from the school, the County or the State.
Last year's show helped pay for electronic equipment for the band, so several band parents hope that this year's funds will be used for instrument and music stand repairs. In an earlier interview about the show, band parent and co-organizer Michelle Watwood said that the tubas are dented to the point of being almost unplayable, many of the drum cases are being held together with ratchet straps and the music stands for indoor practices and concert season are falling apart.
Watwood estimated Saturday evening that the band netted approximately $3,000 from the day’s festivities.
“We had cars come in from all over central and north Alabama,” said Watwood. “One guy came from Tuscaloosa. And we had food vendors from all over central Alabama and Johnny's Bar-B-Q there.”
In addition to classic car, bike and tractor owners getting the chance to show off their vehicles, the show also had competitions and trophies for the best vehicle in each category: Best in Show Car and Best in Show Tractor (both of which were chosen by the band members), Band Director's Favorite Car and Band Director's Favorite Tractor, Best Motorcycle and Most Eccentric Vehicle.
Throughout the entire event, visitors could enjoy live music performances. Early in the day, the show had a surprise performance from the Fairview marching band, which played three out of its four songs from this year's halftime show. The show, "Sugar and Spice," features the songs "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Sweet Caroline," "Wannabe" and the final song (which wasn't performed) "Sugar We're Going Down."
“We are so grateful for all of the support for our students,” said Watwood.
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