An organizational meeting for Hartselle’s 31st Annual Depot Days Festival, an event sponsored by Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, was conducted at The Depot Thursday morning with representatives of several committees present.

This year’s weeklong event will be held Sept. 11-17 in the central business district. It will open with a community worship service, sponsored by Hartselle Ministerial Association, on Sunday, Sept. 11 and conclude with an all-day festival on Saturday, Sept. 17. Other major events will include a Down Memory Lane Program on Monday, Sept. 12, sponsored by Hartselle Historical Society, and musical salute to the Alabama Year of Music observance on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

While most committee chairman positions are filled, there is a great need for 50 to 75 volunteers, both youth and adult, to assist them during Saturday’s festival, according to Susan Hines, chamber president.

We need people to sell T-shirts and other Depot Days Memorabilia, run errands and help with vendor parking and setup,” Hines said. “There’s always a place and something to do for anyone who is willing to help.
She invited those willing to help to call her at the chamber office, 256-773-1806.

Planning sessions will continue every two weeks until Depot Days begins. The next meeting is scheduled on Thursday, July 7 at 7 a.m. at The Depot. The public is invited.

“Hines said she is already getting inquiries and reservations from merchandise vendors and flyers advertising the antique and classic car show are being circulated at car shows throughout North Alabama and Central Tennessee.

“Our goal is to make the 31st Depot Days the biggest and best we’ve ever had,” she said. “Typically, this is a big day for our merchants because we have so many people in town.”

Depots Days officers and committee chairmen are listed as follows:

Chairman, Nancy Case; co-chairman, Kim Prince; art show, Rita Lee; car show, Paul Casto and Bill Spain, assistant; children’s area, Chasity Crowe; children’s art show, Michelle Wilson, electrical hookup, Jeff Johnson; Down Memory Lane, Bettye English; community worship service, Hartselle Ministerial Association; first aid station, Kathy Goodwin; publicity, Randy Garrison; security/parking, Hartselle Police Department; Sanitation/Signage/traffic, Byron Turney; street marking, Don Hall; tractor show, Truman Bridges; CVB consultant, Kayla Riggs.