CityFest celebrates Alabama heritage
April 18, 2018 - Auburn, Ala.
John Wild/The Villager
Auburn’s 18th annual CityFest will have something for everyone on Saturday, April 28 — arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities and more.
CityFest will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kiesel Park.
As an Alabama Bicentennial event in recognition of Alabama’s 200th birthday, CityFest will celebrate the state's heritage. This year's CityFest theme will be Native Alabama.
The Medicine Tail Singers, a Native American musical performance group with representatives from over 12 tribes, will headline the event.
The Medicine Tail Singers started performing together in 2001 and have since released five independent albums. While they sing and dance, they also teach the audience about their heritage.
“They appeal to all ages,” said Ann Bergman, co-coordinator for Auburn CityFest. “Not only are they amazing performers, but they do love to educate the audience to learn about their traditions and their culture.”
The group will perform three times during CityFest — 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. in the Children’s Imagination Station, a section of Kiesel Park dedicated to children’s activities.
There will be crafts that also follow the theme, giving people the chance to make dreamcatchers, headbands and medallions.
CityFest will also have musical performances by local bands Dogwood Lung and Tony Brook Band, playing folk music and blues, respectively. The bands will perform at the Entertainment Pavilion throughout the day.
The Georgia Irish Frisbee Dogs, a team of eight pups, will have three performances throughout the day. They have won eight world championship titles, 10 national championship titles and seven world records.
If you’re looking for a laugh, stay for performances by Lew-E the Clown or see Adam Lowe for a comedic juggling show.
Performance schedules can be found in CityFest brochures the day of the event. A PDF of the schedule has also been uploaded to accompany this article.
Korea Fest will also be there with activities like Korean calligraphy workshops, traditional dance and drum performances, arts and crafts and a photo booth with traditional Korean clothing.
A Sense Tent will be at CityFest this year for the first time, which will have sensory activities geared toward people with disabilities so they can take a break from the excitement outside.
“Crowds and noise and music, it can all be really difficult for children with invisible disabilities,” Bergman said.” Don’t get me wrong, we all love CityFest. But CityFest is big, and it’s crowded, and there’s a lot of noise.”
Bergman, who has a daughter on the autism spectrum, says this will benefit the whole family.
“I would have loved to have a Sense Tent back in the day to help my daughter that’s on the spectrum, but then to help my other daughter — that we wouldn’t have to leave because it was becoming too much for her sister,” she said.
Although the tent will be primarily for individuals with disabilities, Bergman said anyone is welcome to take advantage of it.
CityFest is a rain or shine event, and all the activities are free — including rock climbing, pony rides, face painting, performances and more. Bring money if you want food from one of the 30 vendors, which will have kettle corn, shaved ice, corn dogs, boiled peanuts and smoothies, among other treats. There will also be art for sale from 98 craft vendors, and 30 nonprofits will also have booths on site.
Bergman encourages attendees to bring water and sunscreen. Attendees may also want to bring picnic chairs or blankets. Leashed dogs are also welcome at CityFest.
The first 500 people to come will get a goodie bag. Bergman also said an early arrival will help patrons avoid parking lot traffic.
For more information, visit www.auburncityfest.com, or contact the Auburn CityFest headquarters at 334-501-2930.
This story was an assignment I did for The Auburn Villager.