Amanda Pevey
Elmore/Autauga News
The town of Eclectic hosted its 32nd Annual Alabama Cotton Festival, celebrating the community’s small-town roots and rich heritage. With thousands in attendance and more than 200 artisan vendors, the event brought together tradition, history, and fall fun.
“We were so thrilled to welcome everyone to our 32nd Annual Alabama Cotton Festival in our beautiful town of Eclectic, Alabama,” said Maggin Edwards, Events Coordinator.
“This year’s celebration was bigger than ever, with over 200 food and artisan vendors, incredible live music from local favorites The Eclectic String Alongs, Wrygrass Reunion, and Frank & Dylan Sullivan, a jaw-dropping wood carving by Beneath the Bark, plus so much more. It’s a true Southern celebration of community, creativity, and cotton- and we loved sharing it with the community,” said Edwards.
The event kicked off at 8 a.m. with shopping from vendors and tasty treats from the line of food trucks in attendance. The festivities started at 11 a.m. with the annual dog show contest. The car, truck, and motorcycle show was a sight to see with classic, sporty, and unique styles. A new feature was live chainsaw carving demonstrations of wood statues by Beneath the Bark.
The event also featured a show from The Bama Flying Dogs. The Alabama Cotton Queen Contest winners were in attendance as well. The Kid’s Zone activities consisted of bouncy houses, face painting, and balloon animals.
“The festival is not just about entertainment. It is a statement of local pride. It reinforces Eclectic’s identity as part of Alabama’s cotton history. Murals and architectural heritage also play a role, adding visual reminders of the town’s history. Even though Eclectic is a small population of less than 1200, the festival draws thousands of attendees. At times, there have been over 12,000 patrons, which shows how much it resonates beyond just the town,” said Edwards.
