The Band Loula to headline CoalFest this Saturday: festival kicks off Friday night

BRILLIANT — Brilliant Mayor Perry Franks has invited everyone out to CoalFest’s 25th Anniversary Festival on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.
With lots of family-friendly attractions and entertainment, CoalFest is a great Memorial Day Weekend activity for one and all.
Friday’s festival hours begin at 6 p.m., with live music by Lloyd Moses, Carl & The Road Dawgs and FreeBird, which is described as the “ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd experience.”
On Saturday, the festivities start at 9 a.m., with Zander York of Brilliant playing the Star Spangled Banner, followed by Coaltown Sound, the Whiskey River Band, Dixie Mafia and Area 51.
Saturday’s headliner is The Band Loula of North Georgia, a duo composed of best friends Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons.
The mayor remarked on the “exceptional musical lineup,” which was finalized just recently, noting all the musical entertainment will be outstanding from Friday night through the grand finale on Saturday.
“We’re excited about the lineup, and we’re happy with it,” he noted. “We have The Band Loula for

“You can fill out the grower’s permit form, and then I can notarize it for you, or you can take it with you to be notarized elsewhere,” she said.
The Extension Office is located at 372 7th Avenue Southwest. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The office is closed for lunch for 30 minutes, beginning at noon. The phone number is 205-921-3551.
For growers wanting to be able to accept EBT and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, there is an additional step, with  Warner also available to help.
“I can direct you to the website, show you where to go there, what it will look like and get you started,” she said.
She noted afterwards, those participating in that part of the program will log onto their computer and complete the online agreements.
Marchbanks said once growers have been registered, he is available to work with them further, if needed, and answer questions and provide direction.
“You are not alone,” he said. “We can help you from that point on. Once your information is entered, you’ll designate a vendor location, with us coming up online as the Marion County Farmer’s Market on Bexar Avenue.”
For more information, you can contact Marchbanks during business hours at 205-712-4866. He also requests all interested growers/vendors to attend a meeting on Friday, May 30, at 6 p.m., at the farmers market location.
Help with
fertilizer & seeds
Marchbanks also noted there is a limited amount of assistance available for farmers market vendors for fertilizer and seeds through a donation from the City of Hamilton’s Farmers Market Incentive Sponsorship Program
“We invite growers to sign up and take advantage of this opportunity,” he said, noting this is the first time any type of funding has been provided to help growers get started.
After processing through the system, interested growers will contact Marchbanks if they are interested in this aspect of the program.
“We will be able to help offset some of the cost of seed and fertilizer for eligible vendors who sign up and go through the proper procedures,” he noted. “We want to help you be able to get your goods to our market.”

Help with
marketing
Marchbanks also helps growers market their products on social media via Facebook at “Marion County Farmers Market-Alabama.”
“This is free advertising on a weekly basis,” he noted. “Clients can see what we will have available. Growers should contact me via Facebook Messenger or during business hours, share what they’ll be bringing to market on a specific day and even share photos if they want.”
Unlike farmers markets he’s seen in other states, Marchbanks said he does not require his growers to stay the entire time the market is open.
“Time is money,” he said. “You do not have to stay from open to close. If you come in and sell everything you have in 30 minutes, you are free to go. We’re grateful for our vendors. They are gracious to be there, and they’re an asset to the community.
“We won’t know exactly what will be there until they bring their goods to market. The early bird gets the worm. I look forward to seeing you soon at our farmers market on Bexar Avenue.”