CULLMAN, Ala. – Members of the Cullman Downtown Merchants Association (CDMA) on Thursday night met at First Community Bank to discuss last Friday’s social event held in conjunction with the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s and Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism’s 2nd Friday celebration and street fair. They talked about “bugs” that needed to be worked out after the season’s first event including barricades, signage and pointing visitors to businesses like 412 Public House and Carlton’s outside the immediate festival zone.
And then they began to plan the next event, which will be held Friday, July 12, also in conjunction with 2nd Fridays. The CDMA’s Ron Pierce laid out a preliminary plan that will focus on “animal attraction,” including possible visits by Cullman County Animal Shelter staff with pets available for adoption, special needs therapeutic equestrian group Hope Horses, Inc., Happy Tails Groom & Board, Lee’s Veterinary Hospital and others. Special features of the celebration could include a dog parade, dog “beauty” contests (that might include Ugliest Dog, too), puppy races and an emphasis on animal-themed merchandise in stores.
The popular Ferris wheel will, of course, return along with other rides and games. Pierce plans to combat the July heat with onsite misters. In a twist on the theme of the antique and custom car shows that typically accompany the CDMA’s and Chamber’s events, planners hope to fill the south end of the celebration zone this time with off-road vehicles, from ATVs to trucks.
Music planner and recruiter Cliff Fountain hopes to expand the event’s live entertainment with more street musicians located at businesses around the celebration area.
Get involved!
The CDMA is seeking sponsors for this and its Celebrate Cullman event in August, as well as volunteers to help with planning and putting on the events. If you are interested in helping, and especially if you are a downtown merchant not currently a member of the association, email Pierce at rpierce@mmg-inc.com, or message the association through its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CullmanDowntownMerchantsAssociation/.
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