By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
With almost perfect weather predicted for October 26, and a possible record number of vendors offering one of the widest arrays of hand-crafted items, food and drinks in many years, organizers feel there’s virtually nothing that could prevent this year’s Williams Station Day (WSD) celebration from being a huge success.
“The long-range weather shows that we should have perfect weather on Williams Station Day,” said Addison Long, Interim Executive Director for Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, the event’s organizer. “We’re really excited about that.”
Forecasters with The Weather Channel have made long-range predictions that WSD will start with early morning temperatures in the mid-50-degree range and highs will only reach the mid-80s. Only the slightest chance of rain exists, and light winds should help keep things Fall-like.
The opening ceremonies for WSD’s 32nd edition will begin at 9 a.m. at the site of the former YMCA building on Pensacola Avenue, when J.U. Blacksher School elementary student Emma Kaye Dinc, daughter of Michael and Brittany Dinc, sings the National Anthem, and ceremonies will last about half an hour.
After the interim Chamber director welcomes the crowd, Chris McGhee will offer a prayer for a safe and successful event, and Atmore Mayor Jim Staff will read the annual proclamation ceremonially changing the name of the city to Williams Station for the day.
Co-emcees Jodi James and Edie Walker will keep things moving on schedule, and Kris Stewart (another familiar face) will spin recorded music to fill in any gaps in the festival.
Four area singers and a group of young baton twirlers will perform during the day. (See separate story.)
“We have a pretty good lineup of local and area entertainment,” Long said. “Just about everybody knows all of them.”
Chamber officials report that this year’s community celebration will include more than 100 booths, tables, tents or other temporary structures from which commercial vendors, churches, youth groups and other organizations will sell baked goods, hand-carved wooden objects, clothing that was knitted, crocheted or sewn, hand-made jewelry, arts and crafts, and more.
There will also be informational booths manned by professional, medical, religious, political or other groups.
“We have 115 vendors,” said Long, who noted that Chamber staff and board members will be wearing a newly designed shirt made especially for the event. “I’m not sure if that’s a record, but it’s the most we’ve had in a while.”
Williams Station Day also includes a car show that will be held at Heritage Park, only a block from the festival grounds. Free rides on a miniature train will be offered near a children’s area where several commercial and other activities are available.
Held every year in conjunction with WSD but not formally a part of it, is Atmore Community Hospital’s Annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run. This will mark the fourth year the event has been held.
Participants who registered by September 29 will receive a gift bag and a race T-shirt and all participants will begin their trek at 8 a.m.
A registration fee of $30 (plus a $2.80 race fee) will be charged until 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 24. Any registrations made between 8 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. on Friday will require a $35 fee and a $3.10 race fee.
Those who run or walk and are ages 8-14 will receive a discount, paying $25 and a $2.50 fee.
For those looking for a fun day in the autumn outdoors, Williams Station Day is the place to be.
“We hope to have a really good crowd,’ Long said. “We hope this is going to be one of our best.”