Lemonade stand set for another year at Hoedown

Katie Smith has hosted Katie’s Lemonade every year since the 2011 tornado slashed through her small town, taking two of her friends and a former teacher. Now, with the Phil Campbell Hoedown approaching this weekend, it’s time to stock up the Minute Maid and prepare for another opportunity to raise money for Phil Campbell High School.

Katie, 15, said she saw raising money for the community as her own personal way to “make something good out of a negative situation.”

“I love being a Phil Campbell Bobcat. I’ve always loved it,” Katie said. Through her passion for her school and her community, and hosting the lemonade stand, Katie said she has enjoyed meeting people in her community and from throughout the state – and the nation. “I’ve met many Phil Campbells from all over the world and many local people I never knew … They have told me what it was like for them when the tornado came through. It’s been a good thing. It has helped me grow as a person.”

Aided and encouraged by her father, Max Smith, and her grandparents, Mason and Martha Smith, she sells cup after cup of $1 lemonade and also accepts donations.

Each year’s proceeds go to fund a need at Phil Campbell High School – like a new podium last year and an outdoor bench two years ago. This year, Katie said there’s not a definite plan in place yet, but she is talking with Principal Gary Odom about using the money to purchase some new microphones or keeping it on-hand for teachers’ needs throughout the year.

The Hoedown is set for June 16-17. Katie’s Lemonade will be open Friday night as well as Saturday this year.