By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Members of the Alabaster Arts Council had a plan in place for overflow parking at this year’s CityFest event on June 2, but they didn’t know how early they were going to have to put the plan in place.

“Even with more parking at the new site, we were amazed at the crowds all day long. This has to be one of the biggest all-day crowds we have experienced,” said Arts Council President Adam Moseley. “We had to arrange more buses and start using overflow parking by 11 a.m. It was wonderful to see families coming in droves and having fun.”

CityFest was held throughout the day on Saturday, June 2, at the new Thompson High School campus at 1921 Warrior Parkway. This year marked the first venue change for the festival in its 15-year history, as CityFest traditionally was held in the city’s Municipal Park.

Moseley said having the event at the new high school allowed for much more space and allowed the city to showcase the new facility.

“Our school system, especially our new high school is such a focal point for our community. It was a natural evolution for this event to grow. We needed to make this move,” Moseley said. “It was also a great way to let everyone see what we are doing in Alabaster.”

Delta Rae, alt-country rockers from Durham, N.C., highlighted the afternoon lineup at 5:30 p.m., and The Gin Blossoms took the CityFest main stage at 7 p.m., followed by 38 Special at 9 p.m.

Other acts on the main stage included Sanchez Tanniehill at 10:30 a.m., Andy Stokes at 1 p.m., Michael Warren at 3 p.m., The Brook and the Bluff at 2 p.m. and Martin McDaniel at 4:15 p.m. The event also featured familiar CityFest offerings, such as the KidsFest area, food and craft vendors and a drive-in car show.

Title sponsors for the 2018 CityFest were Central State Bank and Coca-Cola. Moseley said the event’s sponsors are key in keeping the event free to the public every year.

“Our sponsors are who really drive the success of this event. I hope everyone will continue to support all of these great folks who make this event happen,” he said. “For it to be this big and to still be a free event, shows their support of this community “