Families go full steam ahead on Memorial Day Weekend activities around central Alabama

CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) – ALEA says Memorial Day Weekend will be one of the busiest on the state’s waterways, as many people choose to spend their holiday weekend on the lake. Some families are turning their three-day weekend into a four-day weekend by taking an extra day off work and getting out on the water a day early.

“I took today off of work to get the boat in the water, get it cleaned up and everything,” said Eric Snyder, who was out boating on Lay Lake. “Got one of my sons with me today and then we’re just going to get out, try to do some fishing right now, do a little jumping off the rock, and then tomorrow, we’ll be back here with some neighbors and another coworker that has a boat and just make a day out of it. Trying to make the most of it. I know Monday’s not looking good, so that’s why all day today, tomorrow and Sunday.”

There’s no shortage of lakes around central Alabama. Despite many to choose from, some boaters at the Waxahatchee Marina on Shelby County’s Lay Lake say they’re bracing for the uptick in people this weekend.

“You’ve got to be careful out there on the main water because it gets pretty, the traffic gets pretty up. But right here, you can’t find a parking place at the Waxahatchee Marina here. I mean it’ll be all the boats, all the way around and people waiting out there for a parking space,” said Davey Pavey.

But what about the families who want to be near water but not on a boat? Smith Lake Park has the solution.

“We’re going to have all sorts of food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, barbecue, shaved ice, face painting, jewelry, hats,” Smith Lake Park manager Brittney Heron said.

All of those activities will be around the Memorial Day Festival at Smith Lake Park, including a car show. Though the festival has been around for many years, this will be the first year it will feature a car show.

“We’re hoping to bring in more people,” Heron said. “For our other two festivals, there’s close to 10,000 people that come. This one is the smaller of the two.”

She hopes the event this weekend encourages people to get out and have fun with their families.

“People come together, the families come together, and it shows you that just because it’s a small town doesn’t mean we can’t just have fun and hang out and enjoy each other’s company,” said Heron.

The Smith Lake Park Memorial Day Festival and car show will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, rain or shine. It’s a free event for anyone to enjoy.