CULLMAN, Ala. – The 24th Annual Sweet Tater Festival took place Monday at Smith Lake Park, with a large crowd coming out to celebrate Labor Day and enjoy some outside merriment. Sweet Tater had most of its usual sights and sounds- food and craft vendors, a petting zoo, cloggers, live music and vintage vehicles, but this year’s festival was modified from those in the past, shortened from two days to just one, and the popular pie eating and Pepsi chugging contests were shelved. Also missing? Sweet potatoes. But none of that seemed to put a damper on the beautiful day.
Cullman County Parks and Recreation Director Doug Davenport said he was unsure in the days leading up to the festival how many vendors would participate or how the public would respond due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He got his answer soon after the gates opened at 9 a.m. Monday morning.
“The staff has told me there are more cars this year than last,” he said, “but we don’t have a count.”
Admission to the festival was free this year, which could be a reason so many chose to come out, but many of the people The Tribune spoke to were just happy to have something to get out and do, after a long, hot summer lacking most of the usual summertime events around the county.
Crowds enjoyed the Clog Wild Cloggers out of Fultondale. The dance troupe entertained with its high-energy routines on the Smith Lake Stage, followed by the traditional golf cart parade. Across from the festival, a great showing of classic cars and trucks was enjoyed. Dogs, almost as plentiful as people, strolled about the grounds.
Feathered Friends Cockatoo and Horse Sanctuary once again brought its popular petting zoo, complete with horse and pony rides. Wednesday the Camel was there, too, delighting the kids as they fed him carrots and he washed them down with the occasional cold Gatorade.
Ally Cole Swader came from Decatur with her mom, papaw and nana. She enjoyed riding the pony, according to her papaw, who said, “We are all having a great time. She (Ally) loves the animals.”
As to the lack of the titular spud?
Davenport said local farmers were late getting them in the ground this year due to rain, so the potatoes weren’t mature yet, and the vendor who usually doles out the sweet potato ice cream did not attend.
However, lines to the food and drink vendors were busy throughout the afternoon, and a return to normalcy seemed to have everyone in a great mood.
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