By Maci Hughes

Like geese flying south for the winter, thousands of people are expected to flock to the 17th annual Liberty Day celebration on Saturday, July 4 in Cedar Bluff.  

What began as a simple Children’s Day with a few rides and grilled hot dogs has since grown into the town’s most impressive annual event. Originally dreamed up by former mayor Bob Davis, Liberty Day is as much of a countywide tradition as football is to the South.

 The quaint town, nestled upon the shores of Weiss Lake, is home to only one traffic light and fewer than 1,500 citizens. Yet, this small town welcomes with open arms adults and children of all ages to their  all-day street party. Cedar Bluff officials have high hopes for this year’s event, and Mayor Martha Baker says she expects it to be “great like always.” 

Event chairman Delmus Brewster hopes to have a bigger crowd this year since the event falls on Independence Day. Brewster said guests should begin pouring in the park by about 9 a.m. The traditional opening ceremony begins at 8 a.m. WEIS 990-AM will be broadcasting live throughout the day.  

Brewster says organizers always try to have something new for spectators to enjoy. One alteration for 2009 involves Liberty Day’s live entertainment. Last year, music did not begin until 1:45 p.m. and took place at the lakeside stage. This year the singing will begin in the morning and continue into the evening with individuals and groups such as Leah Seawright, Mr. Meanr, Determined, the Weiss Lake Steppers, 10-year-old vocalist Payton Sells, and comedian Jason Teague.  

While strolling through the town square, spectators will encounter countless favorite activities from previous years. Children can scale the rock climbing wall, stretch toward the skies at the bungee jump, experience another world in the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center’s space simulator, and race their friends through the obstacle course.

Other happening events include the wet slide, moon walk, jousting, big top, swings, basketball game, train ride, and skee ball.  

Countless art vendors will be present selling sunglasses, leather goods, wind chimes, T-shirts, etc. Atlanta Puppeteers’ puppet show is expected to be as popular as ever.  

Liberty Day also sports a plethora of mind-boggling goodies sold by a multitude of food vendors. Mouth-watering hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, shaved ice, peanut brittle, home-made ice cream, blooming onions, lemonade, Poor Boy sandwiches, funnel cakes, and roasted corn will be for sale around every corner.  As always, the Cedar Bluff Fire Department will be selling its delicious barbeque. 

Also this year, as always, the Southern Rodders Car Club will host one of the largest antique car shows in the area. Around 350 antique autos will halt traffic along Highway 68. Cash and door prizes will be given away throughout that day.  

The Coosa Rusty Iron Association and Weiss Lake Antique Power Association will be sponsoring an antique tractor/engine show and swap meet, and the Weiss Lake chapter of the Southern Cruisers will sponsor a bike show. 

Perhaps the most prominent Liberty Day mainstay is the fireworks display, which Baker calls “one of the largest fireworks displays in Alabama.” 

Every year, traffic along Highway 9 comes to a standstill for miles around as the 9 p.m. fireworks show erupts over Weiss Lake. Tourists and locals alike cannot help but gawk in awe at the hundreds of boat lights that blanket the water’s surface during the show.  

To find out more about renting a vending space or registering an antique car, visit the town’s website at www.cedarbluff-al.org or call Brewster at 256-484-1144.