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What’s Happening
For a full list of fun events happening in the area throughout the year, check out the calendars in Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines and the Alexander City Outlook.
Season-Long Events Naturalist Presentations and Guided Nature Tours
Naturalist Marianne Hudson fills the Naturalist Cabin at Russell Crossroads with children and adults to see and listen to her lively nature presentations with critters, insects, snakes and fowl. Visit RussellLands.com/blog/events for the scheduled subject matter, dates and times.
Children’s Harbor Treasures and Thrift Store
Located on state Route 63 just south of Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Children’s Harbor Thrift Store is open for shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. For more information, call 334-857-2008.
Music in the Air
Spend Thursday evenings at Zazu’s Verandah on the beautiful Dadeville Square enjoying a variety of live music. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. indoors or outdoors under the verandah, depending on weather conditions and performers’ preferences. Come early to settle in and be sure to get a seat. Free admission but please tip the musicians. Visit Zazu’s Verandah on Facebook for the weekly scheduled programs.
Strand Sessions
From April to August, Lake Martin Young Professionals present live music in Strand Park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bring chairs and coolers. For more information, follow LMYP on Facebook for the line up or call 256234-3461.
The Russell Marine Boat Parade is a highlight of the July 4th weekend American Idol's Taylor Hicks performed at Jazz Fest
Wellborn Musclecar Museum
Housed in a restored vintage auto dealership in downtown Alexander City, the Wellborn Musclecar Museum collection of great American automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s is open for public viewing Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This exemplary collection includes the famed K&K Dodge, the 1970 Grand National Champion, as well as Aero cars designed for NASCAR. You will see an example of each manufacturer’s highest horsepower cars of 1970, from Dodge, Plymouth, Chevrolet, Buick, Porsche and Oldsmobile. The inventory on display changes frequently, so every visit includes something new and exciting. Admission for adults is $11; children ages 7 to 17 admitted for $7, and children ages 6 and under are admitted for free. Email wellbornmusclecarmuseum@gmail.com or call 256-329-8474 to arrange discounted group tours or private tours.
Alexander City Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., June through September, buy local, fresh produce, baked goods, jams, jellies and more. Farmers set up in the parking lot on the Main Street traffic circle. Call 256-329-9227 for information.
August Wishes on the Water
Bluff's Daiquiri, the floating bar at Harbor Pointe, hosts a super-fun fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Alabama with giveaways, raffles, live music, food and more. Visit Bluff's Facebook page for details.
September Labor Day Weekend Concert
The annual summer concert series at The Amp closes the summer season at Lake Martin with a blowout. For details, visit theamponlakemartin.com.
Fall Boogie
The Annual Fall Boogie at Standard Deluxe in Waverly features music from noon to night. Visit standarddeluxe.com for ticket information.
Enjoy this annual festival at Russell Crossroads, featuring a scavenger hunt, face painting, pumpkin decorating, wagon rides, archery and pie and canning contests. Visit RussellLands. com for more information.
Dadeville Fall Festival
Gather at the courthouse square in Dadeville for a day of fun, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and activities for children, including inflatables. Call 256-825-4019 or email the Dadeville Lake Martin Area Chamber at chamber@dadeville.com for more information.
This daylong celebration is held at Charles E. Bailey Sportplex in Alexander City, featuring local arts and crafts, dining, entertainment, children’s activities and more. For information, call 256-329-6736.
Downtown Trick-or-Treat and Bar Crawl
Main Street Alexander City hosts a trick-or-treat event for youngsters throughout the downtown area by day, and at night, those 21 and over can participate in a bar crawl. For more information, contact Stacey Jeffcoat at 256-329-9227.
November Renew Our Rivers
Hundreds of volunteers turn out for this annual effort to clean up Lake Martin on the first weekend of November. For information, call John Thompson at 334-399-3289.
Annual Holiday Open House
Hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, local businesses open their doors one Sunday to showcase the festive decorations and gifts and offer one-of-a-kind sales. Bring the kids to visit with Santa and more. Call 256-234-3461 for more information.
Christmas at Crossroads
Enjoy this weekend-long event at Russell Crossroads. Admire town decorations and revel in the Christmas spirit while shopping the arts and crafts at the Holiday Market at The Stables. For information or for vendor registration, call 256-397-1397 or visit www.russellcrossroads.com.
December Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Every year, Alexander City Theatre II puts on a free Christmas play to put you in the holiday spirit. This year's production will be Barbara Robinson's classic, held at the Central Alabama Community College Betty Carol Graham Center. Visit the theater's Facebook page for dates and times.
Annual Hometown Christmas Parade
Presented by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce, join the fun as one of East Alabama’s largest holiday parades winds through downtown with elaborate floats, dancers, bands, Santa Claus and more. Call 256-234-3461 for more information.
January Polar Plunge
The Lake Martin Young Professionals host a polar plunge at Kowaliga to raise money for Lake Martin Resource Association. Spectators turn out for the music, food, a photo station and to watch the plungers. Visit the website at lakemartinyp. org for information.
February Russell Forest Run
This annual 5K/10K run takes participants through beautiful scenery, and entrance fees benefit the Alexander City Schools Education Foundation. To register, visit russellforestrun.com.
March Dadeville Chili Cook-off
Enter your favorite chili recipe at Pennington Park in Dadeville to win prizes for best recipe and best booth. There will be hot dogs for non-chili eaters. Visit the Pennington Park Facebook page for details.
April Boating Basics Course
Get ready for the season with this free boating basics in-person class offered by the Marine Police. Visit dps. alabama.gov for information.
Children’s Harbor Auction
Support Lake Martin’s local camp for seriously ill children at this annual fundraising event. For more information or an invitation, call 205-638-6606.
Old 280 Boogie
Held at Standard Deluxe in Waverly, this event features an all-day concert with six bands, food and vendors, and the T-shirt shop is open. Bring chairs and coolers and get ready to camp out on the grassy area. For more information, visit standarddeluxe.com.
May RXR Fest
This free three-day music festival is held on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads on Memorial Day weekend. Visit Russelllands.com for details.
June Tallapoosa River Fest
Kayak the Harold Banks Canoe Trail the first weekend in June. This float trip is sponsored by Tallapoosa County Tourism. Visit the websit at tallapoosacountytourism.com for more information.
Sun Festival
A weeklong celebration of summer with more than 40 events happening, from kids activities to water sports, music and much more. Check the magazines and newspapers for details or visit the event Facebook page.
Jazz Fest
This free annual music festival features great bands over two days at Strand Park and The Amp on Lake Martin. Call 256-234-3461 for information.
July Russell Marine 4th of July Boat Parade
Festive boats and patriotic crews parade from Kowaliga Marina to Children’s Harbor and back again while spectators line the banks to cheer them on. For information, or to enter, call 334-857-2111.
Celebrate Freedom
Come out to the Benjamin Russell High School lawn. There will be live music, food and, of course, fireworks. Bring cash, lawn chairs or a blanket, friends and family but leave the pets at home. This is a family-friendly event.
4th of July Concert and Fireworks
One of the Southeast’s largest fireworks shows will light up the sky over Lake Martin with a concert kicking things off at The Amp. For tickets, visit theamponlakemartin.com.
Lions Lake Martin Poker Run
Gather a crew and deck out a boat to ride from marina to marina and try to gather the best poker hand. Prizes are awarded for costumes, decorations and poker hands. Visit russellmarine.net.
