2 Whistle Stop Festivals offer double the fun for Irondale and Leeds this September
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There is double the fun ahead come September as two Whistle Stop Festivals hit Irondale and Leeds on the same day. Find out why you need to mark your calendar now.
The Whistle Stop Festival, an annual one-day event held in Historic Downtown Irondale, has been a yearly tradition since it originated in 1991. The event showcases live entertainment and over 100 vendors selling art, crafts, food and more.
But there has been some upheaval in planning the Whistle Stop Festival in recent years due to a lack of city funding.
However, this hasn’t stopped the Whistle Stop Festival from pushing forward. Following cash-flow funding, the Whistle Stop Festival moved its location in 2017 from downtown Irondale to The Outlet Shops of Grand River in Leeds. While this may have solved the problem for many, others want to move the festival back to its original home in Irondale.
The Irondale Exchange Club took to Facebook yesterday, May 22, stating:
“Due to financial straits of the city and festivals not being funded, the Exchange Club membership feels that it is important to continue the tradition of the festival in downtown Irondale. The Exchange Club of Irondale has agreed to sponsor, without city funding, the Irondale Whistle Stop Festival 2018 in downtown Irondale.”
So does this mean the Whistle Stop Festival has officially returned home? Well, sort of.
For 2018, two Whistle Stop Festivals are now in the works: The Whistle Stop Festival (WSF) in Leeds and the Irondale Whistle Stop Festival (IWSF). Both are set to occur on Sept. 29, 2018.
Whether you attend the Whistle Stop Festival in Leeds or the Irondale Whistle Stop Festival, here are some important details to know:
Irondale Whistle Stop Festival
When: Sept. 29, 2018
Where: Historic Downtown Irondale. 1912 1st Ave S., Irondale, AL 35210
Admission: Free
Vendors: Applications are available at City Hall in Irondale
More information: Contact the Irondale Exchange Club at 205.956.5980 or exchangeclubofirondale@gmail.com
Whistle Stop Festival (Leeds)
When: Sept. 29, 2018
Where: The Outlet Shops of Grand River. 6200 Grand River Blvd. East, Leeds, AL 35094
Admission: Free
Vendors: Click here for application.
More information: Call 205.617.8247 or email thewhistlestopfestival@gmail.com
What are your thoughts on there being two Whistle Stop Festivals this year?
