Alabama

How do we best describe “Bammy”: Perhaps more than any of the other southern states, Alabama truly is the “Old South” and the “Heart of Dixie”.

Being the fourth state to secede from the Union (January 11th 1861) the current state capital, Montgomery, was the first capital of the Confederacy and home of its president, Jefferson Davis. There is still a marked reluctance of Alabama to forget this important time in its history and only following bitter campaigns in the 1990’s did the state capitol building in Montgomery finally cease to fly the Confederate flag.

But perhaps two more important dates set 10 years apart were to truly define Alabama, and bring it to the attentioon of the world.

In 1955 Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, AL, and there was an explosion of Civil Rights activism. 1965 saw Dr Martin Luther King Jr lead the 5 day, 4 night Selma-Montgomery Civil Rights march, the same year blacks finally won the right to vote.
Alabama-Highlighted In redThe bars, festivals and events can be as hot as the climate, and one of the best in Mobile, AL is the Bay Fest – a 3 day weekend music festival featuring a wide variety of talent and tastes. Held in downtown Mobile, attendances are now in excess of 150,000. This event, now in its 11th year and performed over 9 stages, has featured artists such as B.B. King, 3 Doors Down, Collective Soul, Hootie & The Blowfish, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, Uncle Kracker, Keith Urban, Travis Tritt, The Gap Band, STP and Merle Haggard .

Mardi Gras in Mobile: Perhaps not as famous as its New Orleans neighbor Mobile first celebrated Carnival in 1703 whilst under French settlement. Mobile’s first Carnival society began in 1711 with the Boeuf Gras. Today Mobile’s Carnival celebrations start as early as November with several balls and parades usually beginning after January 5. Carnival celebrations end promptly at the stroke of midnight on Mardi Gras, signalling the beginning of Ash Wednesday .

Mardi Gras, which literally means Fat Tuesday and thus the last day of the Carnival season, is normally used as a local term to refer to the entire Carnival season. During this time Mobile’s mystic societies build colorful Carnival floats and parade downtown with masked society members tossing small gifts, known as throws, to the parade spectators. Mobile’s mystic societies also give formal masquerade balls, which are almost always invitation only and are oriented to adults.
Flag Of AlabamaThe Spirit of America Festival is one of the largest free Fourth of July celebration in the South. The two day outdoor festival, set in Decatur, Alabama, hosts a variety of traditional summer activities. The event is organized and staged by an all volunteer board. Begun in 1967 as anti-Vietnam protests grew this was put together to show support for service personnel and promote patriotism.

• the festival and Zydeco Two-Step dance instruction will be provided for all. 2008 will be their 2nd annual festival held inside the beautiful air conditioned Daphne Civic Center and featuring 10,000 square feet of dance floor! So, don’t miss this spectacular event!
• Lawrence County Indian Festival
  Danville, Alabama, USA
  May
  Traditional and fancy Indian dancing, Indian artifact displays and craft exhibits, blue grass and traditional music, a Civil War living history encampment with periodic cannon fire each day, a Civil War display, a Frontier/Mountain Man encampment, and canoe and mule wagon rides. Educational demonstrations of Indian arts & crafts, vendor booths and continuous, all day entertainment.
• Jubilee CityFest
  Montgomery, Alabama, USA
  May
  Montgomery’s largest family weekend festival featuring four stages on non stop entertainment, 100,000 sq. of children’s activities, Fireworks show, 8k/2mile run, Artsfest, Pops Symphony concert
• Heritage Harbor Days
  Foley, Alabama, USA
  November
  Heritage Harbor Days is an award winning cultural heritage exchange between two cities in different states. Every year Foley packs up and takes a 28 ft. shrimp boat, the Miss Foley, and a small slice of rich culture to visit another U.S. city. Alabama shares its boat builders, net makers, fried green tomatoes, seafood, country music, beach music and Gospel choir – all representing the varied heritage of the Alabama Gulf Coast Area.