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Smoke on the Falls returns; Strawberry Festival and Wildcats Academy events scheduled for the weekend
Summary
City staff reported high turnout at Smoke on the Falls and detailed plans for an upcoming Strawberry Festival and Wildcats Academy Old School weekend, including vendor and performance lineups and children's activities.
Gadsden — City staff reported a successful Smoke on the Falls barbecue event last weekend and provided details about an upcoming Strawberry Festival and the Wildcats Academy Old School weekend during the council’s department reports and citizen comments.
Janet Terrance (department staff) reported that Smoke on the Falls drew more than 70 cook teams (backyard and professional), 15 youth teams in a kids' category, and an attendance of about 3,000 people on Saturday. Terrance said some teams provided public samples, food trucks were busy, and participants praised campground renovations. She named local winners: Jars Rawls (best pizza), Brent Pollard (second place, dessert; Pollard is a public works employee), and Shannon Graham (multiple awards).
Terrance also announced the Strawberry Festival will be held Saturday at the former ice-skating-rink location, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with two strawberry vendors confirmed (Free’s and C and J's Strawberry Farms), seven food trucks, 32 specialty vendors, a mimosa bar, pony rides for children and a Nockelula Scales and Tails Roadshow petting exhibit. She said one large grower, C and J's Strawberry Farms, can supply large quantities and will bring pink and green baskets for Easter. The event will include live music — John Player at 9 a.m. and Courtney Daly and the Veil Grind at 11 a.m. — and a Blue Jean brunch.
In citizen comments, Ayesha Bachal spoke on behalf of Wildcats Academy and outlined the group’s 18th annual Old School weekend schedule. Bachal said activities begin Thursday with a pep rally at the American Legion, followed by basketball games Friday and Saturday (including teams from Attalla and local high schools), tailgating and food on Saturday, a Life Jennings performance at 2:10 p.m. at the track, and a children’s Easter egg hunt and gospel service on Sunday (egg hunt at 3 p.m.). She thanked the council for financial support that allowed the group to expand activities.
Why it matters: The events attract thousands, involve local vendors and volunteers, support youth programming and downtown activity, and were discussed by the council as part of regular department reports and public comment.
