ARLEY - The countdown is on for the 51st annual Arley Day Festival.
The Arley Women’s Club - which sponsors Arley Day each year - held a meeting with its Arley Day Committee chairpersons at Meek Baptist Church April 10, to discuss this year’s festival, which will take place Saturday, May 18. Arley Day Co-Chair Sara Little led the meeting, asking all attendees to give a report on their component of Arley Day. Each lady explained where her committee stood at the moment, what was needed and what the public can expect.
Arley Day will be even bigger this year, with new events and traditional favorite activities returning. The day will kick off at 7 a.m. with the annual pancake breakfast, sponsored by Arley First Baptist Church, at the Arley Fire Station, located on County Road 77 directly across from Hamner Park, where most of Arley Day’s activities will take place. The breakfast is donation only, with proceeds going to the Arley Volunteer Fire Department.
Arley Day Parade
The Arley Day Parade is expected to be magical this year, thanks to the parade theme, “The Magic of Reading.” The AWC encourages everyone to choose their favorite story book and decorate a float for the parade. A $100 cash prize will be awarded for the best decorated float, with a $50 cash prize for the second place float.
Line-up will be at 7:30 a.m. in front of Dollar General on County Road 41 South, with the parade heading north on County Road 41 starting at 8 a.m., turning on to County Road 77 to conclude at Hamenr Park.
Along with floats, classic vehicles, walking groups, horses and other vehicles are encouraged to take part in the parade. For those who do participate, please have someone walking alongside the vehicle/float to hand any candy out. According to a Town of Arley ordinance, there is a $500 fine for anyone who throws items into the crowd along the parade route. Anyone who has any questions about the parade can call (937) 622-1571.
Car Show
One of the highlights of Arley Day is the car show, which will once again be taking place this year. Classic vehicles will be lined up near the entrance to Hamner Park, with the car show taking place from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Entries are more than welcome to be in the Arley Day Parade first before coming in to Hamner Park. Awards will be given for Best in Show, People’s Choice and much more.
The registration fee for the car show is $20 until Friday, April 19. After that date, the registration fee will increase to $25. To register, go to arleywomensclub.org.
Tournaments
Those who love basketball, cornhole and/or pickleball will really love Arley Day this year, since there will be tournaments in all three events taking place.
Meek High School Basketball will be sponsoring a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Billy’s Court within Hamner Park. The first game will take place at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $40. Teams can have a maximum of four persons. To register, call (205) 522-6993 or send an email to mrwoods@wcsclass.com. Registration will also take place on Arley Day until 8:45 a.m. The first team to 24 will win the game. Proceeds will go to benefit the MHS Basketball Program.
A pickleball tournament will take place beginning at 9 a.m. on the pickleball court at Hamner Park. The entry fee is $25 per person. The tournament will be round robin, with rotating partners doubles. Morning rounds will be from 9-11:30 a.m., and afternoon rounds will be from 12-2:30 p.m.
Stray Dog Cornhole will sponsor the Arley Day Cornhole Tournament. Registration will start at 10 a.m., and the bags will fly at noon.
There will be two levels of play, one for children 17 and under, the other for those 18 and up. There will be no charge for the children’s level. The registration fee for the adult level will be $25.
Beef Cook-Off
The Winston County Junior Cattlemen will be at Arley Day this year, calling all chefs to bring their charcoal grills for a beef cook-off competition.
There will be an adult and a youth division of competition, with youth cooking four burgers and adults cooking two ribeye steaks. The youth division is open to anyone ages 9-18, with an entry fee of $10. The adult division is open to anyone 19 and older, with an entry fee of $20. The grills will be fired up at 9:30 a.m. No lighter fluid can be used.
Registration is open through April 26. To register, contact Dylan Gilbert at (205) 495-8196 or send an email to 20dgilbert13@gmail.com. Proceeds will benefit the Winston County Junior Cattlemen.
Vendors
Dozens of food, arts and crafts and community service vendors have already signed up for Arley Day, but there is still room for more.
As of April 10, there were 53 non-food vendors and 9 food vendors registered. Food items will include crawfish, barbecue, roasted potatoes and corn, ribs, wings, ice cream, cotton candy, shaved ice and much more. A wide variety of arts and crafts vendors have already signed up, as have many community organizations.
A highlight each year is the spacious Arley Women’s Club tent, which will feature the club’s annual Arley Day bake sale, a silent auction, a flea market and a giveaway.
Booth spaces are approximately 10x10, with double booth spots approximately 10x20. Food vendor spaces measure 10x14 approximately.
Early bird registration for vendors will continue through April 19. Non-food vendor spots are $50. Church and 501(c)(3) spots are $35 and food vendor spaces are $70. Prices for non-food and food vendor spots increase by $15 after April 19. Prices for churches and non-profits will go up $10 after April 19. The deadline to register is May 10.
To register for a spot, visit arleywomensclub.org, call (813) 760-9710 or send an email to arleydayfestival@arleywomensclub.org.
Kids Activities
As in years past, many of the kids activities at Arley Day will be completely free, including all the games and activities in the expanded Toddler Town section. A free hot dog lunch will be provided for children, too.
The water slides will be back this year, so please bring towels. There will also be carnival rides, as well as horse rides.
The Arley Women’s Club would like to thank the many sponsors who make Arley Day possible each year. Anyone interested in helping to sponsor Arley Day can go to arleywomensclub.org to learn more.
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