MONTEVALLO, Ala. (WBRC) - American Village in Montevallo is hosting “Sweet Home 250 – Where Freedom Feels Like Home,” which is Alabama’s official celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The two day festival spans from July 3 to July 4, bringing together music, history, food, art and family-friendly experiences in a “dynamic and patriotic setting.”
The event is part of the nationwide celebration of the United States semiquincentennial and is serving as a signature statewide event, “highlighting Alabama’s contribution to the nation’s story while shared experience for residents and visitors alike.”
“Set against the immersive backdrop of American Village, the festival will offer simultaneous programming across multiple venues, blending education, entertainment, and celebration,” wrote The American Village.
Some of the events occuring at Sweet Home 250 at American Village
When, which Alabama musicians are taking the stage
| When | Who | About the artist/their work | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 3 1 - 2 p.m. | Cole Spain | Up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Vestavia | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Friday, July 3 2:30 - 3 p.m. | Charlie Mato-Toyela | Native American flute player and maker | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Friday, July 3 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. | PJ Spraggins & The Alabama Jazz All-Stars | Billboard Top 10 smooth jazz artists | 250 Stage |
| Friday, July 3 4:15 - 5 p.m. | Michael Warren | Hoover-born pop/country singer/songwriter | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Friday, July 3 5 - 6:15 p.m. | Will McFarlane & The Muscle Shoals All-Stars | Iconic master session musicians from Muscle Shoals | 250 Stage |
| Friday, July 3 6:15 - 7 p.m. | Lolly Lee | Star the 80s cult bands The Mortals and Split the Dark | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Friday, July 3 7 - 8:15 p.m. | Act of Congress | Nationally-acclaimed progressive bluegrass, pop, folk, and gospel band | 250 Stage |
| Friday, July 3 8:15 - 9 p.m. | Roman Street | Mobile-based Latin Nuevo Flamenco fusion band | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Friday, July 3 9 - 10:30 p.m. | Taylor Hicks | Hoover native and American Idol winner | 250 Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 1 - 2 p.m. | Crimson Pride Barbershop Quartet | Championship Chorus | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 2:30 - 3 p.m. | Expressions of Freedom Contest Winners | Original poetry and song | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. | Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir | Simon Cowell’s AGT Golden Buzzer artists | 250 Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 4:15 - 5 p.m. | Chuck Leavell | World famous Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, and Rolling Stones keyboardist | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 5 - 6:15 p.m. | Rick Carter & The Loveland Orchestra | Alabama troubador & friends’ album release performance | 250 Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 6:15 - 7 p.m. | Anthony Crawford with Savana Lee | One of the best duos since Johnny and June | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 7 - 8:15 p.m. | The Blind Boys of Alabama | Six-time Grammy® Award winners | 250 Stage and Discover Shelby Stages |
| Saturday, July 4 8:15 - 9 p.m. | Montevallo Community Band | Patriotic music to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday | Discover Shelby Stage |
| Saturday, July 4 9 - 10:30 p.m. | Myles Morgan | Up-and-coming country artist from Tuscaloosa | 250 Stage |
Featured Alabama chefs, eating contests in America’s kitchen
All of these will be on Friday, June 3 at Liberty Hall
| When | Program | Presenter/Host | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. - Noon | Cooking with Martha | Miss Annie McDaniel with Martha Washington | Historical cooking demonstration |
| 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. | Conecuh Little Chief Challenge | Hosted by Rick Burgess | Eating contest |
| 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Baking an American Flag Cake with Sally’s Confections | Sally McKay | Baking demonstration |
| 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Priester’s Mini Pecan Pie Showdown | Hosted by Rick Burgess | Eating contest |
| 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. | A Southern Twist on Panzanella | Natalie Gravois | Cooking demonstration |
| 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Blue Bell Freeze Challenge | Hosted by Rick Burgess | Eating contest |
| 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Cooking Demonstration | Jonathan Harrison | Cooking demonstration |
Children’s activities
In the Kids’ Zone aka E on the map.
Friday’s activities
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. to Noon | Games |
| Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Paul Revere’s ride |
| Noon to 12:45 p.m. | Meet the raptors: Auburn University’s raptor center |
| 12:30 to 1 p.m. | Ye Old Two-Lipped Theater Presents: A Puppet Show! |
| 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. | All-Star Stunt Dog Show, followed by a meet-and-greet |
| 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Games |
| 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Paul Revere’s ride |
| 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. | Meet the raptors: Auburn University’s raptor center |
| 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Ye Old Two-Lipped Theater Presents: A Puppet Show! |
| 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | All-Star Stunt Dog Show, followed by a meet-and-greet |
| 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Games |
| 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Paul Revere’s ride |
| 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Ye Old Two-Lipped Theater Presents: A Puppet Show! |
| 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | All-Star Stunt Dog Show, followed by a meet-and-greet |
| 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Games |
| 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. | Alabama Ghost Stories by Candlelight |
Alabama Ghost Stories will be in the Colonial Chapel aka H on the map.
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Saturday activities
| When | Where |
|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. to Noon | Betsy Ross: Sewing a Nation Together |
| Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Symbol for America Puppet Show |
| Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Meet the raptors: Auburn University’s raptor center |
| 12:30 to 1 p.m. | Paul Revere’s ride |
| 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. | All-Star Stunt Dog Show, followed by a meet-and-greet |
| 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Ye Old Two-Lipped Theater Presents: A Puppet Show! |
| 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Betsy Ross: Sewing a Nation Together |
| 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Meet the raptors: Auburn University’s raptor center |
| 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Symbol for America Puppet Show |
| 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | All-Star Stunt Dog Show, followed by a meet-and-greet |
| 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Paul Revere’s ride |
| 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Ye Old Two-Lipped Theater Presents: A Puppet Show! |
| 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Betsy Ross: Sewing a Nation Together |
| 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | All-Star Stunt Dog Show, followed by a meet-and-greet |
| 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Symbol for America Puppet Show |
| 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Movie Night: Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero |
The movie Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero will be in the West Wing Theatre aka M on the map.
Closing program
The closing program, “America’s Unfinished Story: A Celebration Across Time,” will begin at 8:25 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. The program will be followed by fireworks over Independence Hall, presented by America 250 Alabama.
Dr. Joe Ardovino will be conducting the Montevallo Community Band through music at the program. Following fireworks, country artist Myles Morgan will close out the events with the festival’s final performance.
Other events
Other highlights include America’s Marketplace, Sweet Home 250 America’s stories, the Expressions of Freedom: Art Exhibit and Sweet Home 250 interpreted programming and special guest presentations.
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For a full overview of “Sweet Home 250 – Where Freedom Feels Like Home,” you can click or tap here.
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