Juried Art Show and Demonstrators: 9th Street off Parkway Drive
More than 30 artisans will provide a unique opportunity to purchase items from the most talented artists and craftsmen in the Southeast.
“Listen to that Cold Steel Ring”: Thornton Avenue off 9th Street
This original outdoor play about John Henry, the steel-drivin’ man, will be presented at the Leeds Historic Depot at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sept. 18th and at 3 p.m. on Sept. 19. John Garst, professor emeritis at the University of Georgia, who found evidence of John Henry in Leeds, will speak briefly before each performance. This play, written by Marie Cromer, is the centerpiece of the festival and has been a favorite with past festival-goers. You’ll want to get a seat early, because the Festival Planning Committee again expects standing-room-only crowds.
Click here for the play program [PDF]
Entertainment -- Outdoor Stage at the Gazebo (Corner of 9th Street and Parkway Drive)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011
| 10 am | Abbey Moore | Singer/songwriter |
| 10:45am | Bart Connell | Singer |
| 11 am | Shelby Duke | Singer |
| 12 noon | Stephanie Maxey | Singer |
| 1 pm | G2:20 Band | Christian band |
| 2 pm | Sterling Bros. Band | Caribbean /Reggae music |
| 3 pm | Ron Dometrovich | Singer/songwriter |
| 4 pm | Flying Jenny | Old-time string band |
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011
| 1 pm | Ricky Christian | Gospel singer |
| 2 pm | Abby Parks | Folk music |
| 3 pm | Blue Galaxy String Project | Jazz |
| 4 pm | Bobby Horton | Civil War stories and songs |
Kids’ Korner: 8th Street off Parkway Drive (8th Street North and Parkway Drive)
Entertainment -- Kids’ Show Under the Arbor (new this year)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011
| 10:00 am | Alabama Entertainers Performance Co. (singers and dancers) |
| 11:15 am | Kids’ Karate Exhibition (Karate demonstration) |
| Noon | Alabama Entertainers Performance Co. |
| 1:15 pm | Auntie Litter (skit) |
| 1:45 pm | Taylor Vernon twirler and dancer) |
| 2:00 pm | Jameson Willis (singer) |
| 2:30 pm | Children of Joy (singing group from Leeds churches) |
| 3:00 pm | Shelby Duke (singer) |
| 3:30 pm | Joe Holcombe (singer) |
| 4:00 pm | Maliha Alzvert (singer) |
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011
| 1:30 pm | Showstoppers Promotions (singers and dancers) |
| 4:00 pm | Switchshift (teen band) |
Kids’ Outdoor Crafts
Saturday Only
Herb planters (Birmingham Botanical Gardens): 10 am – 4 pm
Hair bows for girls ages 6-12 (Ciccy’s Girl Stuff): 9 am 1– 3 pm
Auntie Litter: 10 am – 2 pm
Saturday and Sunday
Wooden whistles (Elinor and Winfield Burks): 1 pm – 5 pm
Fishing, hunting and gun safety workshops (Bass Pro Shops): 9 am – 5 pm Sat., noon – 5 pm Sun.
Pottery workshops (Cahaba Clayworks): 10 am – 3 pm Sat., noon – 3 pm Sun.
Have your picture made with Frankie, the 85-pound Sulcata African Land Tortoise (Lee Ann Christenson: 9:30 – 11:30 am Sat., 1 – 3 pm Sun.
Fire safety workshops (Leeds Fire Department) 10 am – 5 pm Sat., 1 pm – 5 pm Sun.
Games and prizes (Covenant Bank): 10 am – 5 pm Sat., 1 – 5 pm Sun.
Sunday Only
Balloon animals, hats and lots of fun (Giggles and Matilda the Clowns): 1-5 pm
Professional face painting (Wendy): 2 – 4 pm
Corn shuck dolls and paper butterflies (Carol Haygood): Noon – 5 pm
Activity and coloring books and candy (Woman’s Literary Club): 1-5 pm
Old-fashioned loop pot holders (Pelham Juniorettes): Noon – 5 pm
NOTE: A lemonade stand will be located at the corner by the library as you enter Kids’ Korner.
Folk Café: 9th Street off Parkway Drive
Enjoy a large variety of ethnic and regional food, including lemonade shake-ups, snow cones, limeades, fried pies, Italian ices, BBQ pork sandwiches, BBQ pork nachos, smoked chicken salad sandwiches, smoked bologna sandwiches, smoked turkey sandwiches, sweet tea, funnel cakes, blooming onions, Cajun sausage, chili kraut dogs, Cajun fried chicken on a stick, homemade potato chips, corn dogs, grilled turkey legs, shaved ice, soft drinks, tea, Philly cheese steak, Philly chicken, Polish sausage, chips, sodas.
Antique Car Show: 8th Street off Parkway Drive
Cars will be judged by participants and spectators. Prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, Best Paint Job and Participants’ Choice. The show is presented by the Dixie Vintage Automobile Club.
Farmer’s Market: 8th Street off Parkway Drive
Fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, jelly, home-grown honey, baked goods and live plants
Guided Tours of Railroad Exhibits at Leeds Historic Depot: Thornton Avenue at 9th Street
New this year: Members of the Mid-South chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society conduct mini-tours of exhibits and relate Birmingham-area railroad lore.
Tours of the Jonathan Bass House Museum: 1129 Montevallo Road
T he Jonathan Bass House Museum (circa 1983-1865) will be open to visitors during the festival. This museum of local artifacts is owned and operated by the Leeds Historical Society. The Bass House was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 205-699-1892 or visit our website at www.leedsfolkfestival.com.
© 2011 Leeds Downtown Folk Festival and John Henry Celebration
