By William C. Singleton III
Celebrate Hoover Day was more than a day of fun and games for children. It was also a day to showcase the city of Hoover, Mayor Frank Brocato said.
From rides to inflatables for kids, to petting farms, to vendors, to displays for chamber businesses, each exhibit was designed to give citizens a glimpse of what Hoover has to offer and what makes it a great city, the mayor said.
“One of the things we always talk about is how to improve the quality of life of our residents each and every day,” Brocato said. “This event brings people from all over our city to enjoy this beautiful park. … It also gives everybody an opportunity to see what Hoover has to offer.”
And it didn’t hurt that Saturday’s clear skies and light breeze provided perfect picnic weather.
Hoover officials estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 people attended the April 28 event at Veterans Park, near the Spain Park High School complex.
The day featured a wide variety of events and food vendors. One of the tastier treats was an apple pie 10 feet and 3 inches in diameter. The pie contained nearly 110 gallons of apples, a couple pounds of cinnamon, a couple of 16-ounce bottles of vanilla flavor- ing and a pre-made crust, said Tommy Daniels, the city’s director of public works.
The day began with a ceremony to honor four veterans who received bricks in Veteran Plaza, the singing of the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance and a re-enactment of the flag raising at Iwo Jima.
Throughout the event, which was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., families poured into the park to take advantage of the dozens of forms of entertainment. They also got to visit nearly 100 businesses, many situated under tents to shade them from the sun.
Hoover resident Samuel Kelton said he regularly attends Celebrate Hoover Day with his family.
“I like coming because it’s good clean fun and a lot of things to do,” he said.
Not all those attending were from Hoover, but Brocato didn’t seem to mind.
“It’s an opportunity also for our residents, our citizens and really everybody from the metro area because this serves so many people,” he said. ❖
