Estimated 15,000 people attend sunny 2016 Celebrate Hoover Day at Veterans Park
An estimated 15,000 people came out for a sunny Celebrate Hoover Day at Veterans Park Saturday, city officials said.
From pony rides, live entertainment and inflatable slides to carnival rides, face painting and a car show, there were lots of activities for people.
Nicole Reed of the Russet Woods community brought her 6-year-old son, Nicholas Stringer, to the community festival for the first time and said she loved the family atmosphere.
“It gives you a lot of variety and keeps your kids busy, and everybody’s smiling,” Reed said.
They learned about the festival from a flier they received. “I’m having a great time,” Nicholas said. “I wanted to play and go to the rides. Then I was tired, and I got some water.”
His favorite activity was the Power Wheels inflatable jumping area, he said.
Kay Jambon of Greystone brought her 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte.
“We just come every year. It’s just a fun day at the park,” Jambon said. “It gives them a chance to get out from in front of the TV. We like the parrots and the petting zoo, the pony rides — anything related to animals, and the Home Depot tent is one of our favorites. They always have a real neat craft for the kids to do.”
The day started at 11 a.m. with a ceremony to dedicate two new bricks in the veterans memorial plaza in honor of two veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War.
The Spain Park High School choir sang “God Bless America,” and South Shades Crest Elementary student Kaylynn Nutter sang “America the Beautiful.” Also, a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace.”
Then, a city worker used a forklift to pull the giant 10-foot-3-inch-diameter apple pie out of a huge oven for people to enjoy for free with Mayfield ice cream. Food vendors included Papa John’s Pizza, Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Bojangles Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits, Repicci’s Italian Ice and Urban Pops. McDonald’s gave out free smoothie samples and coffee.
Live entertainment included the Spain Park High School Marching Band, Spain Park Dazzlers dance team, the Hoover Rhythmic Gymnasts, Tai Chai Friends of Birmingham, Darry Dance Yoga Studio, Clog Wild Cloggers , Struttin’ Showoffs majorettes, Berry Middle School Sparklers dance team and some Indian dancers.
There was plenty of vocal talent, too, including Anna Claire Jamison, Jordan Ashford, Raquel Lily, Daniel Green and numerous bands.
Activity booths included face painting, drawing, painting and the Home Depot kids workshop.
The Hoover Police Department displayed its mobile command center, two helicopters, the dive team boat and bomb squad equipment, and gave parents an opportunity to have their children fingerprinted as part of a child ID kit.
The Hoover Fire Department had a ladder truck on display and did technical rescue demonstrations.
More than two dozen antique vehicles, sports cars and other vehicles were in the car show, and more than 100 businesses and organizations participated in the expo area.
Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said events like this help make a big city such as Hoover feel like a small town and contribute to the good quality of life. ‘We look forward to doing it a lot of years in the future,” Ivey said.
Erin Colbaugh, the city of Hoover’s events coordinator, said she heard a lot of positive remarks about the variety of activities for people to enjoy.
“Those who came for the first time weren’t expecting it to be as large as it was, as many things to do as there were,” Colbaugh said.
She thanked all the businesses and organizations that came out to support the celebration.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating our 50th birthday next year,” Colbaugh said. “We will be working on exciting plans for 2017.”