Dancing With Our Stars, the annual tradition where the area’s best and boldest dancers come together for a cause, returns to CEPA in Pell City on March 1.
This annual event, now in its 11th year, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support organizations like the Pell City Police Department, Pell City Fire Department, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. Each year, the Pell City Line Dancers, long led by director Doris Munkus, turn their love of dancing into a fundraising effort for all kinds of good things in the community.
Sponsorships are still available at three levels: Friend Sponsor ($750), Championship Sponsor ($1,000), and Hero Sponsor ($1,500). All packages include event seating and promotional considerations.
Now in its 10th year, the Father-Daughter Dance returns to Pell City on Feb. 8 with an exciting new theme: Boots and Bows (Plus a Little Disco).
Hosted annually by the Pell City Rotary Club, this year’s dance promises to delight couples (or trios and beyond) with a blend of country charm and disco sparkle.
Rotarians transform Pell City High School into a gala event venue, serve dance attendees dinner, and offer plenty of music and dancing throughout the night. The entire evening is dedicated to fathers and daughters making memories together that last a lifetime.
Proceeds from the event support the Pell City Rotary Foundation, which provides numerous community grants each year to organizations such as The Children’s Place, Pell City School System, Lakeside Hospice, Pell City Police Department, and many more.
Last year, Pell City Rotary partnered with the City of Pell City to finalize downtown streetscape improvements, installing 20 black, cast-iron benches and 11 matching litter containers along Cogswell Ave.
Space is limited, so buy your tickets now! Tickets are $30 per couple ($15 for each additional child) or $40 at the door ($20 for each additional child) and include music, finger foods, party favors, and photographs.
They can be purchased at Metro Bank in Pell City, Pell City Coffee Company, online at pellcityrotary.com, pellcitycepa.com/tickets, or by contacting Meg Clements at (205) 812-5187.
This year, Pell City saw a new spin on an old tradition, as Lights in the Park added a contest to select the best holiday-themed displays.
Presented annually by the Pell City Parks & Recreation Department, this year’s event saw more than 80 entries take over Lakeside Park during the holiday season. The Department collected hundreds of votes from attendees and assembled a special committee to select the winner.
“The Pell City Parks & Recreation Department would like to express its sincere gratitude to all participants, visitors, and voters of the inaugural ‘Lights in the Park’ Holiday Competition,” said Civic Center Manager and Contest Organizer Valerie Painter. “We commend the community for their enthusiastic participation and thoughtful voting.”
And now, without further ado, the winners are:
Overall Winner: Woody’s Tree Service
Anna Otterson / Edward Jones: Silent Night Award – Simple and clean display
Jessica Blackerby / EXP Realty: White Christmas Award – Best use of white lights
Woody’s Tree Service: Deck the Halls Award – Most over-the-top use of lighting
Clean Haul Roll-Off: Christmas is in the Air Award – Best use of inflatables
House of Prayer: The Reason for the Season Award – Best Nativity display
Faith Community Fellowship: Holly Jolly Christmas Award – Best display that makes you laugh
Alabama Clearing & Excavating: Rock Around the Christmas Tree Award – Best use of animation
Metro Bank: The Rudolph Award – Best use of holiday characters
Girl Scouts Troop 24216: Christmas Story Award – Best youth inspired display
The 2024 Lights in the Park award winners will receive additional promotions through Discover and LakeLife 24/7 (Digital and Print). In addition, these winners will have the opportunity to select their locations in the Park for next year’s competition!
“The warmth of our community and the wonder of the Christmas season combine every year for ‘Lights in the Park.’ It’s heartwarming to see Pell City come together to create such a magical experience. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone involved.”
Lights in the Park at Lakeside Park in Pell City will remain open through the New Year.
From fun runs to photos with Santa, the City of Pell City is full of special events this Christmas Season. Make plans now to attend all of Pell City’s family-friendly Christmas events this year.
Events listed in this guide are either sponsored by or presented in partnership with the City of Pell City.
This Christmas Season, grab some hot chocolate and take your family on a drive through Lakeside Park in Pell City to see more than 80 holiday displays and thousands of Christmas lights. The free event is getting a new feature this year as community displays will be judged on their creativity and quality, and special recognition will go to the winners. Scan the QR codes to vote for your favorites!
Whobilation
Presented by: Pell City Library Guild
When: Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.
Where: Pell City Public Library
Look for: Holiday displays, special guests, photo ops, snacks, crafts, and more
The Pell City Library Guild’s Whobilation Celebration is even better this year with the addition of a Giant Snow Globe, sure to be the hit of this year’s event. At Whobilation, children can visit stations for hot chocolate, Christmas crafts, and Christmas cookies. They will also have photo opportunities with the Grinch, Elsa from Frozen, and Santa.
Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Open House
Presented by: The Heart of Pell City
When: Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
Where: Cogswell Ave., Downtown Pell City
Look for: Festive décor, food, music, and kids activities
You’re invited to A Candyland Christmas! Join us Friday December 6th, at 6 p.m. in front of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City for the 7th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. This year’s event features live dance performances, musical entertainment, Santa, candy bags for kids, and delicious hot chocolate and apple cider. Pell City’s Downtown Holiday Open House starts earlier in the day at 11 a.m. and includes special offerings, treats, and more at participating businesses.
Look for: Free family holiday fun decorating with sweet treats
Register: Call (205) 884-1015
Each year the Pell City Library Guild invites children of all ages to construct their dream homes. Join the Guild and Staff of the Pell City Public Library for a Christmas construction project like no other. Register your child for one of the three free sessions by calling the Library today.
Pell City Christmas Parade
Presented by: Pell City Chamber of Commerce
When: Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
Where: Cogswell Ave, Downtown Pell City
Look for: Hundreds of holiday floats and thousands of spectators
The Christmas parade that makes its way through downtown Pell City each year is a sight to behold. Floats, bands, convertibles, 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. This year’s theme is “12 Days of Christmas.”
Rotary Jingle Bell 5K & Fun Run
Presented by: Pell City Rotary Club
When: Dec. 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Lakeside Park
Look for: Festive family fitness, Christmas costumes, snacks, and special guests
The Rotary Jingle Bell 5K & Fun Run became an instant holiday classic in Pell City last year as hundreds came together to support the Club’s efforts to support the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. From the starting point to the finish line, the event evolved as a true success story, raising over $65,000 to help build a new home at the Boys Ranch and bringing a community together for a common cause.
A Vintage Country Christmas
Presented by: CEPA
When: Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Center for Education and Performing Arts
Look for: Classic country Christmas songs from Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and more
CEPA presents a Vintage Country Christmas featuring Rose Colored Glasses, a band with that classic country sound that takes you back to Saturday nights listening to the Opry and the jukebox classics that defined a generation. Join your friends to hear Christmas classics from Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Bob Wills, and more.
The City of Pell City will host a Community Forum on Local Amendment 1 on Oct. 15 at the Pell City Civic Center. The discussion will include Mayor Bill Pruitt as featured speaker, as well as a question-and-answer session with attendees. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the Amendment, which will appear on the November 5th General Election Ballot.
Currently, residents of unincorporated St. Clair County make up more than 50 percent of enrollment in Pell City Schools. Amendment 1 follows a 5-mill property tax approved by voters in 2021 on these residents. It proposes that those who live in the area defined as the “Pell City Schools Attendance Zone” be given the right to serve on the Pell City Board of Education.
Additionally, by providing voting representation through the approval of Amendment 1, Pell City Schools would have a pathway to collect the education sales taxes levied within the Attendance Zone.
“The City is eager to inform residents about Amendment 1, which we believe represents a significant step forward for solving representation issues in St. Clair County,” Mayor Pruitt said. “As with any change, we understand that there may be questions or concerns, and we want to assure residents that we are committed to open communication and transparency. We welcome your participation.”
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the event will begin at 6 p.m. Read more on Local Amendment 1 here: pell-city.com/amendment1
The 2024 season of “Lights in the Park” is fast approaching, and the Pell City Parks & Recreation Department is preparing for it’s biggest year yet as it looks to add an exciting new feature – Awards!
In 2024, community displays will be judged on their creativity and quality, and special recognition will go to the winners. Not only will attendees of the 2024 Lights in the Park be invited to vote on their favorite displays, but a panel of independent judges will also be assembled to vote on several categories from among all participants.
The winners will be recognized in a variety of ways, which means it is more important than ever for your organization to be a part of this community event.
Judges will vote for “BEST OVERALL – JUDGE’S CHOICE”. There will be nine additional categories for the general public to vote on. Voting will begin the first lighting day of our event, Friday, November 29th and end at 9pm Thursday, December 19th. Signs with a QR code will be distributed throughout the park. Visitors will use their mobile phone cameras to scan the code, which takes them directly to our poll.
