Pell city
Crowds gather for 3rd Thursday, even when it’s cold outside. It started with a small group of business owners and has grown to include additional merchants, city leaders and community volunteers. “The character of a town is in its historical district,” said Urainah Glidewell, president of the group. “That’s what makes it unique. We want to celebrate our historical downtown and make it a destination. It really is a community effort, not only to remember the history but to continue the growth of Pell City.” The Heart of Pell City hosted Avondale Mills Day in 2016 and 2017, and the event brought hundreds of people downtown to enjoy live music, a pet parade and a Halloween costume contest. Last June, the group partnered with the Pell City Chamber of Commerce to present the Avondale Mills Block Party that featured a variety of food, entertainment, vendors and children’s activities. “So many of us have a common vision of trying to make our community better,” Glidewell said. “It’s wonderful to see so many people want to get involved in the community and want to make a difference.” That’s what prompted Weber and Denise Olivastri to form the 3rd Thursday Action Committee and start the monthly themed shopping galas in the historical district. Weber noticed that downtown got quiet after 5 p.m., and he wondered how to draw visitors to the historical district after the workday ended. He spoke to officials in his hometown in South Carolina to see what worked there and then turned his sights closer to home and visited Springville, which hosts its own Third Thursday events. After that, the committee was formed as part of The Heart
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of Pell City group. “We created a plan and put it into action,” Weber said, adding that the first event was held last October. “Months later, it continues to get better and better.” The stores stay open until 8 p.m. and offer discounts, door prizes, refreshments and giveaways, Olivastri said. “There is something for everyone in downtown Pell City, from meals, musical instruments and cosmetics, to boutique fashions, tanning, gold jewelry, haircuts, art and more,” she said. “We have all the shops and services you find in a larger downtown city, right here at home.” Traditions are an important part of what makes a city feel like home, and that’s why The Heart of Pell City brought back the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event last year after a 15-year absence. Gail Benefield, a member of the group and the owner of Ami’s, got the idea while watching a Christmas movie in July. “We had people come out of the woodwork to volunteer,” she said. “They really wanted this to happen.” A 25-foot tree in front of the courthouse was decorated with ornaments created by Pell City students. The Pell City Line Dancers and choirs from Pell City High School and Williams Intermediate School provided entertainment, and hundreds of residents enjoyed hot chocolate and Christmas treats. “It was just a beautiful experience,” Benefield said. “It brought families downtown to experience a wonderful, joyous event and to celebrate the meaning of Christmas.” Glidewell remembers feeling like the event truly brought the community together, which is the ultimate goal of so many in Pell City. “It was literally like watching a Hallmark movie,” she said. “All we needed was the snow.” l
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