The fifth annual Frog Level Music Festival will be in Wedowee on Saturday. It will include a 5K run, a cruise-in, live music and a wood-chopping contest.
Vendors and food trucks will line up in downtown Wedowee throughout the day.
Later that night, The Barry Waldrep Band will open for the main entertainment, Hotel California: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Experience.
Wedowee City Councilman Jerry Huddleston has helped organize the event each year. He said they are expecting around 15,000 people to come to town to enjoy the event in the town of only 830.
"It's got something for everybody," Huddleston said. "It's got the 5k for people that like to do something athletic, it's singers during the day, and it's got the music at night, bouncy houses for kids, and it's great for people who just like to come and eat and buy things from the vendors. It really is just a good, fun day and there is something for everyone in the family to do and enjoy."
The 5k will begin at 7:30 a.m. with an estimated 150 participants.
Veterans will be recognized during each event, and a memorial service will be held in the town square at 10 a.m.
The much-anticipated wood-chopping contest, for which Huddleston currently holds the title from the 2024 event, begins at 11 a.m.
"Yeah, it's a big deal," he said.
Huddleston said the event is the largest event in Randolph County. Businesses, restaurants and hotels will benefit from the influx.
"It's just amazing to me that it has grown that much because five years really isn't that much time," said Huddleston. "It just goes to show you what Wedowee has to offer. It's a great little town to be in."
Although Wedowee doesn't even have a traffic light, Huddleston said the town does have a special charm that has attracted people from all over the country.
"What really makes Wedowee great is the people," he said. "The people around here are friendly. It's very laid back. You don't get road rage around here because it's easier to drive around. There's enough businesses and restaurants to get by and it's not a far drive if you want to drive to Oxford to get a steak."
Several City departments will be working overtime to make the event a success.
The Wedowee Police Department will be patrolling the area throughout the festival.
Huddleston said the City's street department has been working all week to clear roadways after several days of storms.
"The town does this not to make money," Huddleston said. "We hope we can make money every year, but if we go in the hole a little bit, it's still a good event. It's done with the intention of benefiting the citizens in this area, and it's a good way of jump-starting the summer."
Remaining proceeds from the event will go to scholarships for Randolph County High School students.
The Alabama Department of Transportation is repaving Highway 431 and Highway 48, so Huddleston said those walking should be aware of uneven lanes and parts of raised pavement.
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