Florala will be the first in Covington County to hold its “Great Alabama Homecoming: Year of the Small Towns” celebration.
Set for the weekend of June 26, the event will coincide with the 140th consecutive annual Masonic Celebration, said event organizer Sue Mathis.

Plans are to unveil a newly constructed 14×40 “town square” park and veteran’s memorial on Fifth Street. Work is expected to begin in the coming days.

“We are a little behind (in the work), but (contractors) say it won’t take long,” Mathis said of the construction. “Plus, they’ve been working on the sidewalks in the area, which would have been difficult to work around.”

Mathis said the park will be outfitted with benches, a fountain and brick memorial wall.

“Once this is finished it’s going to be something that Florala can really be proud of,” she said. “It will be a nice little area for people to rest when they come to walk and shop the streets of Florala.”

The brick memorial wall will be constructed using pavers from the old Lake Jackson site, as well as new pavers inscribed with the names of local veterans. Those pavers will go on sale next week, Mathis said.

“We’re not sure yet on the exact cost, but they will be sold to honor all military personnel,” she said. “Once the wall is finished, it’s going to be very interesting.”

Mathis said the day’s dedication is set for Sat., June 26, at 10 a.m., when the city will also unveil a historic marker “celebrating the heritage of Alabama’s small towns.”

The remainder of the day will follow the traditional “June 24th” schedule with an 11 a.m. parade, arts and crafts fair on the shores of Lake Jackson, a vintage car show, water battle and carnival.