FORT PAYNE-A two-day festival centered on music, art and historical artifacts pays tribute to the City of Fort Payne’s humble beginnings and rich cultural past. Set for September 17-18, 2021, in downtown Fort Payne, Boom Days Heritage Celebration offers live music, a children’s entertainment area, arts and crafts, model train exhibit and museum tours at the Fort Payne Depot.
The two-day event kicks off Friday, September 17th with live music from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Live music returns Saturday morning, Sept. 18th, at 10 a.m. running continuously until 9:30 p.m. and the streets and parks will be filled with arts and crafts, artists and artisans as well as numerous food vendors.
Over a dozen acts are slated to perform during the two-day event and range from local acoustic acts to a nationally known country music band. All music is presented for free.
Friday, Sept. 17 | Music | Main Stage
6 p.m. – Aeromyth, “Ultimate Tribute to Aerosmith”
8 p.m. – Damon Johnson and The Get Ready
Saturday, Sept. 18 | Music | Coal and Iron Stage
10 a.m. – Stuart Douglas
11 a.m. – Terry Hutcheson
12 p.m. – Matty Croxton
1 p.m. – Brant Noojin and Lee Burt
2 p.m. – The Locals
Saturday, Sept. 18 | Music | City Park Stage
10 a.m. – The Underwoods Gospel
12:30 p.m. – The Underwoods Motown
Saturday, Sept. 18 | Music | Walking Entertainment
11 a.m. – Elisha Tatum and Friends
Saturday, Sept. 18 | Music | Main Stage
1:30 p.m. – Jon Sells
3 p.m. – Still Kickin’
4:30 p.m. – Wildwood
6 p.m. – Bellamy Brothers
8 p.m. – Sawyer Brown
The children’s area was a huge success when the event was last held in 2019 and even more activities are planned this year. A $10 wristband gets festivalgoers unlimited pony rides, inflatable slide and access to a new interactive sports game and includes five tickets to use on meltdown ride, bungee jump, rock climbing wall, new spin art, balloon animal or face painting.
Saturday, Sept. 18 | Additional Activities
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Model Train Exhibit (504 Gault Ave N)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Children’s Area (401 Gault Ave N)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Authors in the Coal and Iron Building (500 Gault Ave N)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Depot Museum Tours (105 5th St NE)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Southeast Disc Dogs
12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Black Belt Taekwondo Demonstration
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Wine Tasting (506 Gault Ave N)
During the late nineteenth century, Fort Payne experienced a huge coal and iron boom, and in the twentieth century, a surge in textile manufacturing led to the city’s one time claim of “Sock Capital of the World.” As a nod to its manufacturing heritage, the mountaintop town hosts the Boom Days Heritage Celebration.
Festival hours are Friday 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. For more information including a schedule of events, go to www.boomdays.com or call 256-845-1524.
Media Release/John Dersham, President & CEO/DeKalb Tourism
