Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism touts active slate starting this week with archery and pro fishing tournaments
CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman’s Strawberry Festival has been a community institution since its inception in 1939. The 2019 80th anniversary event saw record attendance numbers of more than 20,000, with more than 4,000 gallons of strawberries sold.
However, with Cullman feeling the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no festival in 2020.
Now, Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism (CPRST) reports, Strawberry Festival 2021 is on, taking place Saturday, May 1 as part of a growing slate of area activities that include big events.
CPRST Executive Director Zac Wood told The Tribune, “It’s going to be a typical Strawberry Festival. The plan is to be a full-blown Strawberry Festival like we’ve done in the past- vendors and the stage there, and some entertainment. Just trying to make it a little different this year, you know, a little new, kind of updated a little bit, but we’re planning on a normal Strawberry Festival.”
By “normal Strawberry Festival,” that means a Festhalle full of farmers, Depot Park full of crafters and other vendors, a variety of food to eat and live entertainment through the day. According to Wood, CPRST already has 76 vendors committed.
Said Wood, “Everybody’s ready to come, ready to go!”
Entertainment is still in the works, but Wood said he hopes to begin making those announcements soon.
A busy parks and rec season, starting now
Wood told the Cullman City Council at its Monday meeting that, before the upcoming Strawberry Festival, the Festhalle Farmers’ Market will open April 3. CPRST is also working with the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce on relaunching 2nd Fridays celebrations this summer.
This Thursday and Friday, CPRST will host a National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) regional tournament at the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center. Wood told The Tribune that the tournament is open to all schools and individuals across the area, and that more than 380 students have already signed up to take part over the two days. Plans are for this tournament to be an annual event that will be part of NASP’s championship series.
This Thursday through Sunday, March 11-14, Major League Fishing (MLF) and Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) will make stop number two on the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit at Smith Lake. MLF’s prediction for the pre-spawn early season event is bigger numbers and bigger fish, so it should be a good one for fishing fans. Get more information at https://majorleaguefishing.com/pro-circuit/2021-tackle-warehouse-pro-circuit-smith-lake-preview/.
“It’s going to be huge this year,” said Wood. “We’re counting on a full slate of events this year, just like we’ve done in the past.”
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