Mentone's Julyfest Rescheduled to July 27-28

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - June 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Organized by the Mentone Area Arts Council, JulyFest Art and Music Festival made its debut in 2012 attracting thousands to the mountaintop town for a weekend of free family fun. High atop Lookout Mountain in Mentone, the second annual event returns July 27-28, 2013, bringing with it two days of arts and crafts, free music by notable Alabama bands, a pet parade and more.

The two-day event opens at 9 a.m. with the prestigious juried arts and crafts show featuring the works of about 50 talented artists and craftspeople who specialize in oil paintings, pastels, watercolors, photography, sculptures, wood art, rustic furniture, pottery, iron work, basketry, fiber and wearable art, and jewelry. The juried show will be held under the trees in Mason Park where visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll as they shop for one-of-a-kind art.

Registration for the pet parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at Mason Park with the parade taking to the streets at 10 a.m. Festival goers can also take part in the silent auction and dog adoption to benefit the Humane Society and Animal Resources of DeKalb County.

Live entertainment is slated for Saturday and include performances by saxophonist Bill Henson from Rainsville at 11 a.m., banjo player and vocalist Chris Hale at 1 p.m., and Mentone’s Jess Goggans at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., Old Tymer’s Barbecue of Fort Payne will fill plates with their famous barbeque on the grounds of the Mentone Inn as festival goers enjoy the melodies of light-rock musician Jerry Bloom. Cost is $10 per plate. Headlining this year’s event is country star Leah Seawright who will take the stage at 7 p.m. with her band, including drummer Mark Herndon formerly with the group Alabama, for a two hour performance.

On Sunday, July 7, Mentone’s Larry Joe Hall is slated to perform from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mason Park gazebo. Categorized as folk, rock and country, Larry’s style is punctuated with strong clear vocals and precise guitar playing.

JulyFest Art and Music Festival is made possible through a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts along with Title Sponsor The Mentone Inn, Presenting Sponsor Mentone Springs Hotel, and other local sponsors Cool Breeze Cottages LLC, Allison and Mark Jackson Family and The Art Gallery at Mentone.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 6 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 7 (Central Standard Time). Festival goers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and picnic blankets. Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.mentonearts.org or contact Festival Chair Cynthia Stinson at mentoneinn@gmail.com.