By Ashley Cummins

For the FCT

Since 2008 local businesses, churches and organizations in the Red Bay community have participated in the Streetscapes program. Streetscapes is a collective art exhibit hosted by the Red Bay Garden Club. Businesses celebrate the spirit of autumn by decorating street corners and windows in whimsical fall displays.

Normally this event begins mid-September and goes through mid-October. However, due to the heat and some exciting local events, the Garden Club decided to get a later start this year. “We are hosting our District Garden Club meeting in town Oct. 29 and want all of the flowers to be fresh,” explained Streetscape Committee Chairperson Rosalyn Fabianke. “Red Bay has also been selected as one of only six towns in the state to receive the Alabama Community of Excellence Award this year. We want to do our best to make sure that everything is beautiful when their team comes to town.”

Streetscapes began after the yearlong centennial celebration in 2007. “The festivities and community spirit experienced during the centennial celebration really prompted us to do something to keep that excitement alive. We had 65 organizations participate that first year – it was an invigorating experience,” Fabianke said.

Since then the community has played an active role in making the annual event a success. Every year the garden club selects a theme based on the Alabama Department of Tourism’s annual slogan. The theme this year focuses on one of the great loves of Alabama: barbecue. This year’s theme is “RED BAY”-B-QUE.

“We hire highly qualified judges from out of town,” said Fabianke. “Judging is based on five categories: overall creativity, use of color, use of props, artistic arrangement and how well it represents the theme.”

The judges will decide on the Best Overall Streetscape, and residents can cast their ballot with the local paper for the People’s Choice award.

Local businesses, churches and organizations should have received a packet about the Streetscapes program. Anyone who has questions regarding the program can call 256-356-2690 for more information.  All exhibits must be ready and registration forms must be turned in to Red Bay City Hall by Oct. 5.

People who are not able to participate this year can still enjoy Streetscapes 2015. Just take a stroll through downtown Red Bay any time Oct. 5 through the end of the month.

“This exhibit is reflective of a community working together, and the Red Bay Garden Club has really enjoyed sponsoring this event,” said Fabianke. “Each Streetscape echoes welcome to all of those who come to Red Bay.”