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.
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.
In July 2024, the City of Pell City celebrated the installation of 20 black, cast-iron benches and 11 matching litter containers along Cogswell Ave. – the final piece of a years-long Downtown Improvement Project.
These new, modern benches were made possible through a contribution from the Rotary Club of Pell City. They join other significant improvements installed along Cogswell Ave., Comer Ave., and 19th Street including new sidewalks and curbs, planters, and streetlights.
Pell City Rotarians met on the corner of 19th St. and Cogswell Ave. to celebrate the installation of new benches in downtown Pell City. The Rotary Club of Pell City contributed $20,000 toward the purchase and installation. From left are: Immediate Past President Serge Brazzolotto, Secretary Emily Norris, City Council member and Sergeant-at-Arms Jay Jenkins, Jaxon Phillips, Steve Talley, President-Elect Brian Muenger, and President Kelly Furgerson.
Rotary Past-President Serge Brazzolotto, who led the Club from July 2023 through June 2024, initially saw the value of transforming the City’s historic downtown into a more vibrant and walkable space. He spearheaded the club’s involvement.
“It was Rotary’s goal to provide the people of Pell City with something that enhanced their experience downtown,” Brazzolotto said. “These benches will be used daily, and our Club is proud to help improve our community in such a meaningful way.”
Pell City Rotary President Kelly Furgerson and Immediate Past President Serge Brazzolotto led the effort to involve the Club in the City of Pell City’s Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project.
Total cost of the benches and litter containers was approximately $40,000. Rotary committed to assisting the City with the expense by contributing half the cost – more than $20,000.
This contribution is part of the Rotary Club of Pell City’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. The Club, founded in 1974, marked a half century of community service this year, and each bench is branded with a badge that recognizes the Club’s decades of “Service Above Self.”
“Rotary sends a tremendous thanks to the City for the vision and effort that went into improving our downtown,” Rotary President Kelly Furgerson said. “We’re excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary alongside this major accomplishment.”
The City of Pell City’s Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project dates back to June 2020, when the City applied for an Alabama Department of Transportation TAP Grant, which stands for “Transportation Alternatives Program.”
The grant request was for $640,000 to remedy ADA non-compliant sidewalks in the downtown area. The City provided local matching funds of approximately $500,000, including landscaping and lighting costs, as well as engineering and inspection fees.
Streetscape Improvements completed by the City with the assistance of the TAP Grant included the corner of 19th St. and Cogswell Ave. (above), and the corner of 20th St. and Cogswell. Ave. “Before” photos from the City’s grant submission.
In August 2023, the City awarded a bid for construction to Taylor Corporation of Oxford for approximately $830,000. Taylor Corp. completed their portion of the project in June.
Installation of the Rotary benches was the final piece. They were installed in July by the Pell City Street Department under the supervision of Greg Gossett and Blake Nixon.
“We are grateful to ALDOT for recognizing this need and helping us transform downtown Pell City,” Muenger said. “Punctuating it with a gift of this scale from Rotary is what truly makes this a community project, and one that we hope residents will appreciate for years to come.”
