Boom Days - A Showcase of All Things Alabama

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - Sept. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Fort Payne is throwing a star-studded party for its 125th birthday, and everyone is invited! The ninth annual Boom Days Heritage Celebration in Fort Payne, during the third week in September, will be a high-powered showcase of all things Alabama, with a few guest artists and performers from out of state to spice up the festivities.

An exclusive Fort Payne screening of the remarkable documentary film MUSCLE SHOALS with live guests David Hood and Jimmy Johnson, an intimate DeKalb Theatre show by phenomenal Southern Rockers Wet Willie, and a special free pavilion performance by Shonna Tucker, formerly of Drive-By Truckers will be among the Boom Days highlights.

After the showing of MUSCLE SHOALS at the DeKalb Theatre on Thursday the 18th at 7pm, there will be a panel discussion of the connections between Alabama’s two most musical cities, Muscle Shoals and Fort Payne. The two aforementioned members of the legendary Swampers rhythm section will be joined on stage by native Fort Payne musicians Pierce Pettis, Russell Gulley and Dennis Gulley to talk about their shared musical experiences. Alabama Music Hall of Fame curator Dick Cooper will moderate the discussion. A display of Cooper’s Muscle Shoals photographs will be presented in the theatre lobby. Birmingham author Carla Jean Whitley will also be on hand, signing copies of her new book “Muscle Shoals Sound Studio:  How the Swampers Changed American Music.”

On Saturday, the 20th, six blocks of downtown Fort Payne will be transformed into a marvelous array of music, art, food and fun. Thirty-three acts on five outdoor stages will present music ranging from gospel to punk rock. Among the top acts are April Mae & the June Bugs, the Valley Roots, DieDra & the Ruff Pro Band and Midnight Mob from Long Island, New York.

The City Park Art Show will display the works of some of the Southeast’s most talented artisans, including the Gee’s Bend Quilters, Jerry Brown the ninth-generation potter, and dozens of others who work in glass, metal, wood and assorted media.

Festival food choices range from pancakes to pintos and barbecue to ice cream, and the fun activities include Frisbee dogs, a yo-yo expert, an amazing hula-hooper, a unicyclist, a stilt walker, steampunks, a pet parade, a 5K run, a car show, a motorcycle cruise-in, a wine tasting, museum exhibits and much, much more.

For more information on Boom Days Heritage Celebration in downtown Fort Payne, visit www.boomdays.org. There is no admission charge for the outdoor events, so bring the entire family!