JANUARY
Martin Luther King Day Parade & Program
On this national holiday, a parade in downtown Monroeville precedes an informative program exploring a facet of Dr. King’s Legacy.
FEBRUARY/March
Heritage Arts Festival
The historic downtown square is transformed into a wonderland of crafts, quilts, fine art, woodworking, and soul food. A fashion show, gospel music and ethnic dance performances are also featured. Arrive early and spend the day. Sponsored by the Mary Jerald Gardner Study Club. Call Monroe County Museum, (251) 575-3282.
Quilts in the Courtroom
Monroe County Museum will present a showcase of quilts on loan from all over south Alabama in an exhibit which is free to the public. The exhibit will run through the month of February during the museum’s regular opening hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Call the museum, (251) 575-7433.
Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner Meeting
This annual event celebrates the Chamber’s accomplishments and includes guest speakers, business exhibits, door prizes, silent auction, catered reception and dinner. Monroeville Community House, 271 Park Dr. Call the Chamber, (251) 743-2879.
Mardi Gras Parades & Celebrations
These are prominent in the month of February and into the spring, depending on when Mardi Gras day falls. Mardi Gras has become a much-anticipated season in Monroeville life. Sponsored by the City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081.
Monroeville Literary Festival
Hosted by Coastal Alabama Community College, this popular event opens on a Friday and features author readings, book signings and literary and arts entertainment. The Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer and the Eugene Current-Garcia Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Literary Scholar will be presented during Thursday evening reception/dinner. Admission charged to some events; some events free. Call (251) 575-8271.
APRIL
April Walking Tours
The Chamber offers free walking tours around historic downtown Monroeville every Saturday at 10 a.m. starting on the south lawn of the Monroe County Museum. Call the Chamber, (251) 743-2879.
Mockingbird Farmers Market
(April-November)
Shop for fresh local produce every Thursday May-August. For more information, call the City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081, or visit www.monroevilleal.gov.
APRIL-MAY
To Kill A Mockingbird annual performances by The Mockingbird Players
Monroeville’s signature event attracts thousands of visitors annually to Alabama’s Literary Capital to celebrate native Nelle Harper Lee’s classic. It starts in April with Young Audience Series, and goes well into May for its weekend performances on Monroeville’s historic downtown square. Friday-Saturday performances at 7 p.m.; Produced by The Mockingbird Company. For ticket information, call (251) 743-3386 or visit tokillamockingbird.com.
National Hospital Week
Join the staff of Monroe County Hospital in celebrating the finest in rural health care. This event that also celebrates Monroeville’s quality health care community. Call the hospital, (251) 575-3111.
Small Business Appreciation Week
Sponsored by the Chamber, this week features networking opportunities, along with special programs and events highlighting small businesses, held annually the first week of May.
MAY
Cotton Patch Festival
This grand celebration in historic Uriah features arts and crafts, food, fun, entertainment and an antique tractor display. Cash prizes for the four best exhibitors. Held the Saturday after Mother’s Day. Call Patricia McCullers at the Uriah Arts Council, (251) 862-2279, (251) 294-2253, or email pattymac124@frontier.com.
Freedom Fest Pageant
Participants age 20 and younger dressed in red, white and blue will be asked patriotic questions. Winners will be crowned for the City of Monroeville’s Fireworks, Fun and Freedom Festival. Held at First United Methodist Church of Monroeville. Call the City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081,or visit www.monroevilleal.gov.
Touch-A-Truck in the Park
The City of Monroeville will celebrate Public Works Week with large vehicles, highlighting active sensory play for participants. Children will enjoy lights, horns, sirens, tall ladders, bucket trucks, graders, dump trucks, skidders, police cars and fire trucks. Call the City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081, or visit
www.monroevilleal.gov.
JUNE
Monroe County’s Distinguished Young Woman Program
This annual program showcases a talented group of Monroe County high school juniors and offers several thousand dollars in a scholarship competition for college admissions. Held at Nettles Auditorium, Coastal Alabama Community College, 2800 S. Alabama Ave. Call Kathy Stuckey, (251) 789-2685.
Outdoor Movie Nights on Downtown Square
Family nights on the square with soft drinks, popcorn and a free family movie. A celebration of summer for all ages. The series of three to four Thursday movie nights takes place in June. Sponsored by Alabama River Cellulose, City of Monroeville and Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. Call the Chamber at (251) 743-2879.
Monroe County Public Library Summer Reading Program
Visit the library with your children for this excellent summer program, Thursdays at 10 a.m. Call the library, (251) 743-3818.
History Adventure Camp for Children
Children entering the second through sixth grades can enjoy an exciting journey into the past, visiting the many historical sites of the county. Admission charged includes a daily snack and lunch on Friday. Sponsored by Monroe County Museum. Call the museum, (251) 575-7433.
JULY
Annual City Fourth of July Celebration
Sponsored by the City of Monroeville. Call (251) 575-2081 for details or visit www.monroevilleal.gov.
Back to School Free Movie Night
Presented by the Chamber, the family movie night on the square includes soft drinks, popcorn and prizes. Sponsored by Alabama River Cellulose, the City of Monroeville and Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. Call the Chamber at (251) 743-2879 or visit director@monroecountyal.com.
AUGUST
City Sales Tax Holiday
First weekend in August.
Monroe County NCRPA Rodeo
The Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Monroeville sponsor the National Cowboy Pro Rodeo Association-sanctioned event in Frisco City, Alabama. For details, call the Chamber, (251) 743-2879, or visit monroecountyal.com.
SEPTEMBER
Olde Tymers Antique Tractor & Classic Car Show
Features antique tractors, classic cars and pickup trucks as well as live music, educational children’s booths and animal call contests. Call the City of Monroeville for more information, (251)575-2081, www.monroevilleal.gov.
OCTOBER
Monroeville Job Fair
The Chamber, Monroeville Career Center and the Monroeville/Monroe County Economic Authority host the annual Job Fair at First United Methodist Church, Wesley Hall, 324 Pineville Rd., Monroeville. Call the Chamber, (251) 743-2879.
Annual Citywide Trick or Treat
Join the City of Monroeville on the square for Trick or Treat. Costumes and contests abound. Call the City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081.
NOVEMBER
Pioneer Days At Rikard’s Mill
Demonstrations of skills and crafts from the past, such as blacksmithing, mules grinding sugar cane and corn milling in the 1845 water-powered grist mill, first Thursday and Friday for school children. Candle making and cooking demonstrations. 4165 Hwy. 265 North, Beatrice. Admission fee. Sponsored by Monroe County Museum, (251) 575-7433, www.monroecountymuseum.org.
Cane Syrup Makin’ Day at Rikard’s Mill
First Saturday in November, 4116 Hwy. 265 North, Beatrice. This day celebrates the making of cane syrup. Come eat biscuits and see a 19th century mule-driven cane mill in action. Other food is also available, as well as other exhibits. Sponsored by Monroe County Museum. Admission charged. (251) 575-7433, www.monroecountymuseum.org.
Monroeville Market
A retail extravaganza in historic downtown Monroeville, featuring a variety of vendors, entertainment and refreshments. Sponsored by Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, (251) 743-2879, or visit monroecountyal.com.
Taste of Monroeville
Monroeville Community House; The ticketed food festival offers live entertainment and a variety of food from local caterers, restaurants and community organizations. Sponsored by Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, (251) 743-2879, monroecountyal.com.
Peterman Station Arts & Crafts Festival
This is Monroe County’s oldest continuously held festival. Five miles north of Monroeville in the old railroad town of Peterman. Over 125 vendors, music, food and plenty of children’s activities. Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the Peterman Train Station.
Fruitcake Festival
Monroe County Museum celebrates Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” with an annual fruitcake sale. Sponsored by the Monroe County Museum Endowment Board. www.monroecountymuseum.org.
Grande Illumination and Winter Market
This winter celebration begins with the spirit of Christmas. Join the City of Monroeville on the square for the annual tree lighting. Call the City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081.
DECEMBER
Monroeville’s Annual Christmas Parade
Downtown Square, Monroeville, first Saturday in December. Complete with floats, marching bands, pets on parade, costumed characters and Santa Claus. Sponsored by Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. Call the Chamber, (251) 743-2879, or visit www.monroecountyal.com.
Frisco City’s Annual Christmas Parade
Held the afternoon of the first Saturday in December; call Town of Frisco City, (251) 267-3439.
Excel’s Annual Christmas Parade
Held on the first Friday of December at night. Call Town of Excel, (251) 765-2558.
Town of Frisco City Live Nativity
Second weekend of December. A drive-through nativity in Frisco City has become a popular regional event. Call (251) 267-3439.
Monroe County Health Foundation
Annual Hospital Gala
A festive holiday occasion. Funds raised benefit Monroe County Hospital. Contact Christi Dunn, Monroe Health Foundation, (251) 575-3111; cdunn@mchcare.com.
Mobile Symphony Performance
Nettles Auditorium, Coastal Alabama, sponsored by the City of Monroeville. Free to public. Call City of Monroeville, (251) 575-2081.