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There is nothing like music, fun and fellowship on an early summer night in Pell City’s historic downtown or taking a stroll through Lakeside Park, browsing booth     after booth of creative works by noted artists from around the corner and around the state at the Artscape Festival. You can take your child fishing at the Catfish Rodeo or bundle up and head downtown for the city’s Christmas Parade. They all are part of annual events that make this a special place for the entire family.

Hometown Block Party is an outdoor musical festival featuring bands and singing groups on stages strategically placed around the courthouse and city hall square. Held the first Friday evening in June, the fun kicks off at 5 p.m. and goes well into the night, offering an array of food, vendors, rides and games for the kids and music to suit any taste — country, bluegrass, Motown, rock ‘n roll, Gospel and so much more. There is no charge for admission.
Artscape Festival brings out the art and the art lovers in an exhibit, show and sale of art in all kinds of  mediums. From wood carving to paintings, from pottery to jewelry, this festival continues to grow in popularity. Held against the backdrop of Logan Martin Lake in Lakeside Park, it’s more than just an art show, it’s an event that keeps you coming back for more.

The Christmas Parade that makes its way through downtown Pell City and beyond each year is a sight to behold. Floats, bands, convertibles, the antics of the Shriners and Jolly Old Saint Nick himself are part of the festivities as Pell City rings in the season in early December. Thousands of visitors line the streets each year to get a glimpse of the lights, the pageantry and the spirit of Christmas that abounds in what has become one of the region’s largest parades.
Fourth of July Fireworks in Pell City aren’t just any fireworks display. This spectacular show lights up the summer sky over Logan Martin Lake, attracting thousands of people by boat, by car and truck and on foot to see one of the best fireworks displays in the state. Sponsored by the city of Pell City, it is one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing visitors from near and far to celebrate our country’s independence in an extra special way.

Drama Camp for Kids at the Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts is a 10-day cultural event for children, ages 5 to 14, in June each year. Taught by a drama professional, it immerses children in all aspects of theater — from playing a part to building a set. The camp is a three-hour session daily, and the grand finale is a class production for family, friends and the general public in our state-of-the-art theater.

Lakefest has become the southeast’s largest in-water boat show each May, held on the shores of Logan Martin Lake. Test drive the newest models of boats and watercrafts that line the docks of the Horizons lakeside community. But boats aren’t the only attraction. This free event features lake-related vendors, bands and other entertainment, plenty of food and a spectacular fireworks display. Proceeds from the event go to support worthy charitable causes in the region.

Purse and Passion Luncheon has become one of the premier events of Pell City — a luncheon of hundreds who come to support the YWCA of Central Alabama’s program to combat domestic violence. Plenty of prizes, a great meal and inspiring stories from victims whose lives have been changed for the better highlight this annual event in August.

Lights in the Park illuminate the Christmas season’s nighttime sky as businesses and organizations build holiday displays featured nightly from just after Thanksgiving all the way to the new year. Held at Lakeside Park, the displays line both sides of the road winding through the park — a perfect complement to the holiday season to get everyone who drives through the park into the spirit of the holidays.

Children’s Place Luncheon is 20 years old and just keeps getting bigger and better than the one before it. Proceeds go to support the St. Clair County child advocacy center, and the entertainment as well as the food are unrivaled in these parts. This April event each year represents the coming together of the public for the benefit of children who are victims of abuse.

 

Terrell Vick escorted the final patient out of the old St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital, and Sean Tinney welcomed the first patients arriving at the new one. It was a fitting role for each to play — Vick as former president and COO and acting as Chief Transition Officer and Tinney as president of St. Vincent’s Rural Hospital Operations.

From their vantage points and through their responsibilities, they witnessed history being made, the page officially turning on Dec. 10, 2011.

“The preparation leading up to it was phenomenal,” said Tinney, who noted that the new hospital opened its doors to the Emergency Department at 6 that morning. The transfer of patients from the old facility began at 9 a.m. and the doors did not shut until the last patient was moved. “It was as smooth as anything I have been a part of.”

For Vick to witness the last patients leaving the old facility where he worked for so many years and Tinney witnessing the first patients coming into the new one he is overseeing, “it was meaningful for him, and it was meaningful for me,” Tinney said.

The move was like clockwork, Tinney said, giving credit to a host of team members. Neeysa Biddle, former COO of St. Vincent’s Health System, coordinated the move with Vick heading transition efforts. Regional Paramedical Services had five ambulances assisting with the move of patients. Dual labs and x-rays operated during the move, and associates and medical staff transitioned to a state-of-the-art electronic health record system.

The entire staff was oriented to the new hospital in the weeks leading up to the move, and when that day arrived, 50 Information Technology specialists reported for duty, ensuring that countless computers and a new order entry system was in place and working properly.