By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

Lowndesboro’s sidewalk project will be completed in time for Heritage Day in May says Mayor Rick Pate.

In a meeting held last Thursday, town council members discussed the logistics of the event along with other activities planned for that day with the Pilgrimage Committee.

Lowndes Academy will contribute the use of school buses to shuttle visitors to the various sites on the tour schedule, and the sidewalk will play an important role in Heritage Day due to the large numbers of people expected to attend the celebration.

Heritage Day is a celebration of the Year of the Small Towns and Downtowns as part of the Great Alabama Homecoming and has been named by the Tourism Board one of the top ten events in May.

The Celebration takes place on May 1 and is intended to reflect the past and present of Lowndesboro’s unique place in the history of Alabama, according to a recent press release.

A variety of examples will be encompassed in the Historic District of Lowndesboro, including Southern architecture.

Visitors and former residents are encouraged to attend for a walking tour of the “antebellum village” and participate in the variety of activities planned for Heritage Day.

“We want to include people from outside of Lowndesboro who feel like this is their town,” said Pate.

Starting at 8:30 a.m., the town council will unveil the historic marker donated by the Alabama Tourism Department.

Arts and crafts, face painting and other activities for children will be featured at a town fair in the Ruby S. Moore Park starting at 9 a.m.

Re-enactors from the 33rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry will be camping across the street and will engage a march to the Oakview Cemetery for a memorial service at 12:30 p.m.

Churches within the town will be open for tours, including the CME Church Building, which houses the copper dome that used to adorn Alabama’s first capitol at Cahaba.

Refreshments will be served on the front porches of the Cottage, the President’s Home and Pecan Place during presentations by local residents portraying distinguished citizens of the past.

A Star Spangled Stampede will be performed by the Autauga County 4-H Horse Club Equine Drill Team at 2 and 3 p.m.

The Will Stone Store will demonstrate and display Indian weaponry, 1812 militia regalia and primitive farm tools. Small antiques and collectibles along with baked goods will be offered for purchase.

Signs will be placed along Highway 80 in Lowndesboro to inform passers-by of the event and citizens of Lowndesboro, committee and council members will adorn their shirts with green ribbons to identify them as event coordinators for people whom have questions throughout the tour.

Tickets to the event can be purchased on the Lowndes Academy campus and children 12 and under are admitted for free.

Boxes of fish with marinated slaw, beans and desert will be sold from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at a cost of $10 per box. These boxes can be preordered.

Anyone interested in learning more about Heritage Day are encouraged to call 334-278-3434, 334-278-3382 or visit www.townoflowndesboro.org.