Phil Campbell to host annual Hoedown June 19-20

By Bart Moss for the FCT

Officials in the town of Phil Campbell are in final stages of preparing for the start of the 14th Annual Downtown Hoedown festival this weekend.

Along with great musical entertainment there will be a moon pie eating contest, dance contest, World War II re-enactment, bubble gum blowing contest and plenty of games and rides for children.

“I don’t know of another World War II re-enactment in the state of Alabama,” said Tim Baker, who will be participating as a British soldier. Baker, a Phil Campbell High graduate, got into re-enactments at the encouragement of a buddy. That buddy is Joe Spurgeon, who will also act as a British soldier at the Hoedown.

“It’s usually quite loud and exciting for the crowd,” said Spurgeon, whose re-enactment group is back for the second year at the Hoedown. “I think they’ll enjoy it – to actually get to see the equipment, see the uniforms in person.

Shows will take place at 11:30 a.m. at 4:30 p.m. and will include British, German and Italian soldiers, along with – possibly – a couple of GI’s. They will be equipped and in period-correct dress. “We’re very conscientious about that,” Baker said.

There is a new twist on this year’s festival. Although a car show has been a part of the festival each year, this year’s car show is being renamed in honor of Millie Baker, a 3-year-old cancer patient. Millie was diagnosed with Type B Leukemia in 2014. Millie is in the final stages of her treatments at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. All proceeds from the car show will go to benefit Millie and her family.

“We hope everyone will come out and enjoy the festival,” said Phil Campbell Mayor Steve Bell. “This is a fun, family-friendly event everyone can come out and enjoy. There is plenty of space in the park for people to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy some great music as well.”

Below is the entertainment lineup for the weekend.

FRIDAY NIGHT:

5-6 p.m. Calvary Strings Bluegrass

6-7 p.m. Pure Harmony

7-8 p.m. Eagles Wings

8-9 p.m. Southern Image

9-10 p.m. New Ground

SATURDAY

11 a.m. Prayer – pledge of allegiance – Phil Campbell Girl Scouts

Mayor Steve Bell’s Welcome

11:30 a.m. to noon World War II Re-enactment

12:30-1 p.m. Moon Pie Contest & Bubblegum Contest Awards

1-2 p.m. Kreek

2-3 p.m. Kreek

3-4:30 p.m. Bingo

4:30-5 p.m. Re-enactment of World War II

5-6 p.m. Kreek

6-7 p.m. Southern Sound Music

7-8 p.m. First Born Sons

8-9 p.m. James Nix

9-11 p.m. High End Hobos

You can get more information about this year’s event at www.pchoedown.com.