By JOYANNA LOVE / Special to the Reporter

HARPERSVILLE – Anticipation is building for the Harpersville Day Celebration as a search for local talent has been added to the usual festivities.

The Harpersville Day Celebration will held on Nov. 12 starting at 8 a.m. when the vendors open.

All festivities will surround the city hall at 83 Town Hall Lane. This year’s theme is “Looking back at our past and looking forward to our future.” All events are free.

“Shelby County Has Talent” will be held for the first time at 1 p.m.

“We wanted to give people a chance to show what they can do,” Harpersville Mayor Theoangelo Perkins said.

Co-organizer Stacy Walkup said monetary prizes will be given for first, second and third place as decided by a panel of three local judges. Talent in the following categories will be welcome: singing, dancing, instrumental and creative mind.

Walkup explained the creative mind category would include “reading a poem, standup comedy, magic—stuff like that.”

Registration is required to participate, and can be completed by contacting Walkup at city hall. The deadline to register is Oct. 28.

The celebration has something for everyone with the annual parade, antique car show, honoring of veterans, children’s activities and hay bale decorating contest returning this year. Live music will be provided all day courtesy of the Chad Baker Band. Comedienne Joy the Queen of Clean will serve as emcee.

It is not too late to sign up to participate in the parade. Walkup said the deadline is one week before the event. Participants are required to fill out a registration form at Hapersville City Hall.

This year the parade will start at 10 a.m. in the Farmingdale Subdivision, proceed on Shelby County 25, then make a right on Wheat Street. The parade will end at Russell Building Supply.

“I love the fellowship. I love the fact that people come together,” Perkins said.

All local veterans will be recognized at 11:30 a.m. to say thank you “and also to show the young people that some have sacrificed and that we have local people who have sacrificed (for our freedom) … make it real for them,” Perkins said.

This is one of Walkup’s favorite aspects of the celebration.

“I think it is just wonderful to honor our veterans and say thank you,” Walkup said.

Attendees will also be encouraged to participate in the onsite blood drive.

Virtie Bell also serves as co-organizer of the annual event.

The annual Hapersville Day Celebration started three years ago.

“We wanted to do something to recognize our town and bring people together,” Perkins said.

A similar event, Hapersville Homecoming, had been held on an annual basis until about six years ago. A fall date was chosen for Harpersville Day for cooler weather then had been experienced at the homecoming events.

To register for any of the contests or events, contact Walkup at 205-672-9961, ext. 201.

For information about participating in the Antique Car Show, contact Streetscene Automotive Restoration at 205-655-7700.