Annual street festival draws largest crowd

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Opp Fest organizers are labeling the 12th annual street festival one of the best they’ve ever had.

Entertainment organizer Charles Willis said Mayor H.D. Edgar estimated there to be more than 5,000 event-goers downtown at one time.

“There were probably close to 6,000 if you consider that we had the fall festival afterward,” he said. “It’s probably the most we’ve ever had, but it’s really hard to tell since people come and go exactly how many we had.”

The event was Opp’s Small Towns and Downtowns event, part of the Great Alabama Homecoming, which is sponsored by the state tourism bureau.

Willis said members of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority received a good response from attendees.

Willis said the event had the most vendors in the 12-year history, which was around a 60-vendor estimate. Vendors ranged from local churches, politicians, accessories, painting to arts and crafts, health care and more.

“All the vendors seemed happy,” Willis said.

The annual car show was also a success, he said.

“We had about 120 cars at the show,” he said.

Additionally, event goers had an abundance of entertainment to enjoy, including the Opp High School band, Kay Brannon, L.A. Country, Tyler Spann, Silver Wings Dixie group, Blast from the Past, Cole Sauls Band and the Turman Family Bluegrass group.

“Several people commented the entertainment was the best we’ve had,” Willis said.

Abby Driver was among Opp Fest’s attendees Saturday. | Kendra Bolling/ Star-News