Spirit of America Festival a 50-year red, white and blue bonanza in Decatur
Decatur's Spirit of America Festival offers four days of fun with a strong dose of patriotism. (Contributed)
The four-day party that is Decatur’s Spirit of America Festival is bringing burgers, beer, a bike parade, a variety of music and even Captain America to Point Mallard Park July 1-4.
The family-oriented celebration, held in Decatur the past 50 years, has been ranked one of the Top 10 events in Alabama.
A carnival started Wednesday and ends July 4. Admission is free and rides are $1 each or 50 tickets for $40. Family night is tonight, with family ticket packages of 50 tickets for $35.
The weekend will start with a free Black and White Party Friday, with everyone encouraged to dress in black and white. It will be in the old ice rink pavilion from 6 to 10 p.m. Burgers and beverages will be available to purchase.
Saturday festivities will start at 5 p.m. with live music and a Spirit of America talent competition. Free concerts will feature Rodeo Gypsy at 7:30 and headliner Craig Wayne Boyd at 8:30. There will be food vendors and a beer and wine garden.
On Sunday, a Celebrate America patriotic program at the Southside Baptist Church will begin at 10:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., $5 lunch boxes will be available along with games at the T.C. Almon Recreation Center. Gospel and country artist Rena White will perform on the Spirit of America Stage followed by Replay the Band at 6 p.m. There will be a showing of “Captain America: The First Avenger” at 9.
Independence Day will start with a children’s bike parade at 10 a.m. with decorated bikes, tricycles, wagons and strollers. More activities will follow all day, with live music on the Spirit of America Stage. At 8 p.m. the service and sacrifice of American soldiers will be honored.
The big fireworks show will start at 9:45 p.m. Afterward, Country Music Television star Kassie Miller will perform a concert.
