Although I’ve lived in Shelby County for three years now, I must admit I’m still deficient in some unique Shelby County experiences.

I just saw my first Alabaster CityFest last year, and I still haven’t seen a Columbiana Liberty Day.

However, I am finally able to shorten my list after I attended Helena’s Buck Creek Festival this past weekend.

I know — I can’t believe I’ve never been to the Buck Creek Festival either.

However, this was the perfect first year to go. Although the weather was a little more chilly and breezy than I expected, that was much preferred to the insanely hot, sweaty southern weather I always run into in May.

I had to work a tent for our Shelby Living magazine, so after my editor, Jan, and I got our tent set up (with the help of some very nice men who quickly realized we had no idea what we were doing), we sat down to see what the Buck Creek Festival was all about.

After just a few minutes, I quickly realized that the festival is a celebration of the Helena community, a way for the city to give back to the people who work so hard to make Helena better.

As Jan and I sat there chatting, listening to the music that boomed out over the festival and commenting on all the delicious smells wafting from every direction, I realized I was truly relaxed and happy to be there.

The hours I was there passed by quickly, as plenty of people walked up to find out more about Shelby Living and vote in our Best of the Best contest and plenty more festival attendees provided fodder for my people-watching habit.

When I left and walked across the bridge back to my car, I enjoyed looking out over Buck Creek Dam to see children laughing and playing in the creek, families spread out on blankets and a huge inflatable duck floating in the water.

The Buck Creek Festival is a family friendly event with a distinct personality, and that suits me.

I imagine I’ll be back often in the years to come, and in a few years, maybe I’ll even have a kid or two to tow along with me.

Amy Jones is the associate Editor for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at 669-3131 ext. 30 or by email at amy.jones@shelbycountyreporter.com.