By JENNIFER MAIER / Community Columnist

Old-time traditions will be on display Oct. 14 at Shelby Iron Works for the annual Fall Festival. This family-friendly event will offer fun and educational activities for people of every age.

The festival, which has been going on for about 27 years, always draws a great crowd and features many things to see and do.

“People coming to the Fall Festival can expect to see a variety of old-time activities,” said Frank Hebert, Historic Shelby Association president. “There will be antique tractors on display with a tractor parade around noon. We will be squeezing and cooking sorghum syrup, running the antique sawmill and giving blacksmith demonstrations. We will have live music, a variety of vendors, and hamburgers and hot dogs.  There will be face painting and a bouncy house for the kids.”

Vendors are welcome for $15.  If you are interested in being a vendor for this event, contact Hebert at (205) 531-9298 or by email at fphebert@gmail.com.

“Parking and admission are free but donations are welcome. Both the Iron Works Museum and Industrial Museum will be open for tours at no charge,” Hebert said. “The festival will begin at 9 a.m. and last until around 3 p.m.”

Shelby Iron Works has a rich industrial history, and was home to what was the largest charcoal blast furnace in Alabama. It was established in 1846 by Horace Ware. The Fall Festival provides an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the coal industry, which was instrumental in the development of Shelby County.This free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., so bring a lawn chair and plan to spend some time at the historic Shelby Iron Works Park, best of all, there will be sorghum syrup made on site! YUMMY! So come on down and see first hand as the sorghum is ground up and cooked!