Noah and Peggy Webster prepare for this year’s Down Memory Lane. The theme is Early 1900s “Laundry Mat,” which is why they are displaying the wash tub and rub board. | Special to the Enquirer

Pageant, worship service usher in Depot Days

A Miss Depot Days Pageant and a community worship service will usher in the 32nd annual Hartselle Depot Days this weekend.

The annual Tiny and Little Miss Depot Pageant will be conducted Sat., Sept. 8, at Sparkman Civic Center. The 0-8 Tiny and Little Miss division will be at 10 a.m. followed by the 9-18 Teen and Miss Depot Days division at 2 p.m.

Queen and first and second alternate winners will be judged in each age group. Other awards offered are Best Smile, Prettiest Hair, Prettiest Eyes, Best Dress and Miss Photogenic.

West Hartselle Baptist Church will host the community worship service Sun., Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Mike Stonebracker, superintendent of the Northwest Alabama District of the United Methodist Church. The church choir will sing.

A Depot Days youth worship service will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Falkville at 6 p.m.

Hartselle Historical Society will present its annual program on the theme of “Hearth and Home—Pioneer Days in Hartselle” on Mon., Sept. 10, in the Fine Arts Center. Displays, demonstrations and music will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m.

Among featured exhibits will be a display by Noah and Peggy Webster entitled “Early 1900s Laundry Mat.” It will include a rail fence, the water supply, the hot water heater and other items that were used to wash clothes at that time. Other displays will include antique items commonly used by Hartselle families in that same era.

Entertainment will be provided by the Po House Hollow Band, with Allen Drinkard and friends playing bluegrass music. The Sweet Sounds Dulcimer Ensemble will also perform.

Demonstrations will include chair caning, corn shelling, corn grinding, blacksmith equipment, weaving and quilting.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. with harmonica player Jim Kerins entertaining. Anthony Patterson, Harry Houston and Faye Walker will provide information about country living at the turn of the century and Lee Green Jr. will give a pictorial review of old Hartselle scenes.

Homemade teacakes and lemonade will be served. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

On Tues., Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., Hartselle Sings & More—An Evening of Sacred Music—will be featured at Hartselle First United Methodist Church.

A Depots Days Community Concert will be held on Thur., Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

A street festival will climax Depot Days on Sat., Sept. 15, with an exciting array of activities scheduled. Featured will be a 5K and 1-mile fun run, an antique and classic car and motorcycle show, tractor show, live stage entertainment, children’s rides and food and merchandise vendors.