Homewood has a slate of upcoming events to celebrate the city’s 100th birthday.
Cue the fireworks—Homewood is turning 100! Throughout 2026, Homewood has been celebrating its centennial with local art exhibits, a Homewood author night at the Homewood Public Library and a centennial theme for We Love Homewood Day. Now, as the official date of incorporation approaches, Homewood is throwing a 100th birthday party like no other.
On Saturday, October 17, from 2-5 p.m., the city is throwing a free, citywide centennial picnic at Homewood Central Park with a concert lineup of amazing acts and a fireworks display to end the night. Hitting the stage will be the Homewood High School Patriot Marching Band and jazz band; the high school’s Network and Nexus show choirs; the Homewood Pops and performers from Homewood Theatre. The show will culminate with a performance by Alabama Music Hall of Fame inductees Three on a String, followed by festive fireworks.
Three on a String—Bobby Horton, Andy Meginniss and Brad Ryan—got their start in 1971 with a performance in Steel, Alabama, and have been performing together ever since, for over 50 years. After the recent retirement of Jerry Ryan, the threesome performs a blend of bluegrass, gospel, folk and sing-along favorites—the perfect mix of music, entertainment and fun.
In the band’s early days, Three on a String performed regularly at the Lowenbrau Haus in downtown Homewood, continuing when the pub moved across the street to the curve and opened as the Stage Door. “Homewood has always been a special place for us,” Brad Ryan says. Bandmember Andy Meginniss has lived in Homewood for over 30 years.
For the picnic, Homewood residents are encouraged to bring blankets or camp chairs and set up a for a full day of entertainment. There will be a lineup of food vendors, several pop-up tents and the Homewood Fire Department and Homewood Police Department displaying first responder vehicles, including HFD’s 1927 LaFrance fire truck.
“We have a full slate of events this month, worthy of our 100 years,” says Mayor Jennifer Andress. “We have something for everyone: a film festival, a gala, a family fun picnic complete with fireworks, a cake-decorating contest, our First Responders 5k run, a time capsule burial and more. We hope everyone can carve out some time this month to celebrate Homewood, our people and our amazing community. A centennial celebration only happens once, and we are so fortunate to have this happen in our lifetime!”
Homewood Centennial Poster
Available for Pre-Orders Now. Designed by Homewood artist Chip Ghigna. The original watercolor will be available through the gala’s silent auction open to anyone starting October 1 at misssimsgarden.cbo.io. For those attending the gala, a poster is included at no extra cost with every ticket, sponsorship, donation, or auction item donation to the Homewood Centennial Gala all of those options can also be made through misssimsgarden.cbo.io.
If you have questions or trouble purchasing, please send an email to [email protected].
Full Centennial Calendar of Events:
Centennial Film Festival
Sunday, Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Patriot Park
Come out to Patriot Park and watch Homewood-centric films. The night will kick off with centennial videos from City of Homewood and Sim’s Garden, followed by the Pink House documentary, commissioned by the Homewood Historic Preservation Commission in 2020 and Salabama, a film about Homewood’s famous spotted salamanders. There will be complimentary popcorn and waters, and Neighbors ice cream shop will remain open later for people who need a sweet treat.
Homewood Centennial Gala benefitting The Sim’s Garden
Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m.
Soho Plaza and Rosewood Hall
Step back in time to 1926, and celebrate the birth of Homewood with a red-carpet welcome, music from the Homewood Pops, stories from our city’s past, Homewood memorabilia and a live auction. The silent auction opens to the public through misssimsgarden.cbo.io on 10/1 for two weeks closing on 10/15. The Homewood Centennial Poster, an original watercolor designed by Homewood artist Chip Ghigna, is available to purchase at misssimsgarden.cbo.io. The evening’s emcees will be Mayor Jennifer Andress, Cole Cubelic and Chris Cooper.
Homewood First Responders 5K & Fun Run
Saturday, Oct. 17, 5K at 8 a.m., Fun Run at 9 a.m.
Stand with those who serve! The Homewood First Responders 5K supports the Homewood Police Foundation and the Homewood Fire Foundation, strengthening resources that keep our community safe. The race begins and ends at the Trak Shak on 18th Street and winds through downtown Homewood and the surrounding neighborhoods. The men and women of the Homewood Police and Fire Departments will be on the course and at the start and finish lines with patrol vehicles, fire trucks and McGruff the Crime Dog.
Happy Birthday Homewood Cake Decorating Contest
Saturday, Oct. 17, Cake turn in 10 a.m.-noon; Winners announced at Picnic at 2:15 p.m.
Help celebrate Homewood’s 100th birthday by decorating a birthday cake! All ages are welcome. Bring entries to Little Donkey between 10 a.m. and noon, with winners announced at 2:15 p.m. at the Centennial Picnic. Cakes will be judged by a panel including Mayor Jennifer Andress, School Superintendent Justin Heffner and representatives from each of our sponsor businesses. Prizes will be awarded for Best 12 and Under ($200 Homewood Toy & Hobby gift card); Best Centennial Theme—over 12 ($300 Shaia’s gift card); Best Decorated—over 12 ($200 Little Professor gift card); Best Tasting—over 12 (decorated Savage’s cake of your choice) and Grand Champion Cake ($400 cash and $100 Little Donkey gift card). Register at form.jotform.com/262647718338165.
Homewood Arts Council Rainworks Installation
The Homewood Arts Council will install promotional stencils touting the Centennial picnic throughout Homewood. The special super-hydrophobic coated stencils are non-toxic and biodegradable and visible only when it rains.
Homewood Time Capsule Burial Thursday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
Homewood Public Library
Homewood marks its official Centennial birthday and incorporation date with a time capsule burial at the Homewood Public Library.
