Current military and veterans in spotlight at Saturday's McCords Crossroads event
The McCords May Community Celebration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hopewell Community Center in Cherokee County.
The 10th annual festival honoring veterans and current U.S. military members is sponsored by the McCords Crossroads Homemakers Club, with the assistance of the staff of American Auctioneers and a grant from the Northeast Alabama Community Foundation.
On the agenda is a flag ceremony, remarks by a U.S. Marine, an auction of handmade quilts and homemade cakes, live musical entertainment and a barbecue luncheon.
Previously: Revolutionary War veteran to be honored Saturday in Cherokee County
Calling veterans: New board needed to manage property donated in 1947
The celebration started in 2013, but an abbreviated drive-by pick-up food format was necessary for 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID pandemic.
McCords club President Judy Hopper said, “The show will go on, rain or shine, this year. We will have a giant tent plus our two community center buildings.”
The flag ceremony will be conducted by the Minutemen for Christ (an area youth group). A presentation led by veteran Debbie McCain will feature flags of all of the military branches.
Wayne Petty, Marine and current staff sergeant with the Alabama National Guard Center at the former Fort McClellan, will share a short patriotic message. Live music will be performed by Ben Jackson. Veterans and present members of the military will be given free lunches. Other attendees are asked for a donation of $10 per plate.
Foodservice will begin at 11:30 a.m. "We welcome even people who do not attend the program to take advantage of lunch,” Hopper said. “We will offer both dine-in and pick-up service."
The Hopewell Community Center is located at the intersection of Cherokee County Roads 16 and 29.
Hopewell was the name of the now-closed church, begun in 1916, which was given to the McCords Homemakers Club for their headquarters and a community center. An additional and larger building has been added to the complex.
'It's a historic building': Etowah Historical Society finds new location in Rainbow City
David Murdock: On nature and art (and viewing the world in new ways)
Funds for the second structure were donated by the Kerr family, longtime residents of the community.
Dozens of volunteers worked for almost two years to complete the structure, which has been used for weddings, receptions, community meetings and scores of club functions.
As an added special activity during Saturday's event, visitors are invited to tour the MCHC's garden, “A Place of Solace and Remembrance.” Funds for the garden were provided from the trust of Susie Parker Stringfellow through the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama. The garden is open to the public and features hundreds of flowering plants, evergreens, a walking trail and seating.
For more information, call 706-767-1612.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Annual McCords Community Celebration this weekend in Cherokee County
