By Emily Williams-Robertshaw
The city of Vestavia Hills’ annual show of patriotism, “I Love America Night,” will return to Wald Park on June 24 bigger and better than ever.
Last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic, and the 2019 event was hosted at Vestavia Hills High School because of construction being done at Wald Park.
“We really think there is going to be a big turnout, with people just wanting to get out and do things,” Karen Odle, president and CEO of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, said.
With that in mind, event organizers are preparing for a large crowd by creating a wide variety of activities throughout the evening.
Festivities will be spread throughout the finished areas of Wald Park, including kids’ areas with inflatables and lawn games and vendor tents stationed on the park’s front lawns. The park’s aquatic center also will be open for free swimming – no membership needed.
The event also will mark the grand opening of Wald Park’s Grand Lawn, which will be used as space for guests to sit and listen to a concert and watch the closing fireworks display.
A pavilion at the far end of the lawn will house the Shades Mountain Baptist Church orchestra, which will perform a Pops in the Park concert as audiences spread out on the new lawn.
Odle has been told that the acoustics in the pavilion should allow the sounds of the orchestra to be projected all the way to the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest just across the street from the park.
Bigger and Quicker
Chamber workers not only planned a bigger event for “I Love America Night,” they also did it under a shorter timeframe.
“We didn’t really decide until March that we would be able to do it,” Odle said. “Toward the end of March we still weren’t sure, so we’ve had to scramble.”
Local businesses have shown support in droves, offering up ideas for activities or signing on as sponsors, she said.
Odle noted that business has been carrying on in Vestavia Hills despite pandemic obstacles. While working on the latest edition of the chamber’s Vestavia Hills Living Magazine, Odle and her staff were surprised by the amount of ribbon cuttings that have taken place during and in the wake of COVID-19.
“Coming up, we’ve got Southpoint Bank out in Liberty Park,” Odle said. “Unless U has opened. Crumbl Cookies is coming in July.”
Under new management, the Vestavia Hills City Center has continued to blossom with the addition of Taco Mama Vestavia Hills, TrustCare Vestavia Hills and Chopt Creative Salad Co.
The chamber also will be hosting ribbon cuttings for Love Desserts, taking over the space formerly occupied by ‘Lette Macarons in the Heights Shopping Center, and Summit Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Cahaba Heights.
“That’s why I think we have all gotten so excited about it, because we are just ready to be back to something normal,” Odle said.
Between the lifting of pandemic restrictions allowing people to be out and about and the unveiling of the completed work at the park, chamber staff were ready to push themselves to make this year’s celebration a reality.
Event Details
For those who are planning to attend “I Love America Night,” there are a few key details to factor into your evening.
Parking on-site will be limited to the Civic Center and Vestavia Hills West Elementary School, with a portion blocked off due to the fireworks display. That being said, plenty of parking will be available at off-site locations with a shuttle service to Wald Park.
A number of neighboring businesses and organizations are offering up their parking lots, including the Neighborhood Walmart on U.S. 31, the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, the lot at the former Sprout’s location and Swaid Clinic.
On the west side of U.S. 31, parking will be available at Vestavia Hills City Hall, America’s First Credit Union and Southminster Presbyterian Church.
Chamber officials are also stressing that attendees leave their dogs at home, not just because of the high attendance expected but the fireworks display, as well.
Odle noted that letters were sent to let surrounding residents know that fireworks were on the schedule, in case they have pets who are sensitive to the noise.
“We were not going to do those (fireworks) if we had pushback, but not a person said they didn’t want us to do it,” Odle said.
For more information and updates, visit business.vestaviahills.org.
