It’s almost that time again, time for the annual ‘Old 280 Boogie’ in Waverly, Ala. This will be the ninth year Waverly has put on this multi-cultural arts and music festival.
As always, the Boogie, which is on Saturday, April 18, is a free event welcoming people from all over. It will be in downtown Waverly, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. There will be live music, art exhibits and tasty food.
A small group of townspeople from Waverly set up this event every year.
In 2001, U.S. 280 was re-routed around Waverly. The Boogie celebrates being bypassed by 280, said Carolyn Graves, one of the committee members.
The Boogie is sponsored by the community and by businesses such as Oskar’s Café, Wickles Pickles, The Guitar Shoppe and Standard Deluxe, Inc.
This year the emcee’s for the day will be the “Hot Damn!” Boys. There will be live entertainment from a nine-year-old Elvis impersonator, Drake Jennings, who will portray both the young and old Elvis.
Other entertainment includes live music from the 29 South Band; Dooley’s Blue Revue; a six-person, all female band, known as The Figs; and a returning favorite, The Pine Hill Haints.
Scott Peek, owner of Standard Deluxe, Inc. and one of the committee members, says over 20 bands contact him every year wanting to play at the Boogie, but he has the difficult task of choosing only a few to perform during the day.
“Most bands come because they want to play, and we don’t pay them. But we end up splitting the donations between the bands,” said Carolyn Graves.
This year there are more than 20 vendors selling handmade jewelry, pottery bags, soap, organic products and art.
There will also be many activities for kids such as The Rowdy Rooster Puppet Show, cake walks, chalk drawing on the street, hula hoop and horseshoe games, and many more.
Food will be provided by Oskar’s Café, Johnny Bruscos, Papa D’s Super Grille and Red Root Organic Farm.
“Last year, almost 3000 people showed up. Some stay for a few hours or stay all day. But there’s something for everyone to enjoy.” Graves said.
Coincidentally, Auburn University’s A-Day game and the Sticks Country Music Festival, are on the same day. A-Day is a popular event every year for Auburn football fans and Sticks is a fast-growing multi-act country concert. One would think this would be a concern for a small-town arts and music festival.
“We’ve thought about it… and we think the pros and cons kind of even out. The better bands [of Sticks] are late at night and the Boogie is during the day, so it won’t really affect us,” said Graves.
So “come on home to Waverly” and enjoy the many events and festivities of the 9th Annual Old 280 Boogie on April 18.