ATMORE, Ala. — The 34th Williams Station Day fills downtown Atmore this Saturday, Oct. 24, with more than 100 vendors expected to line most of Pensacola Avenue for a day of shopping, food, music and performances.
Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce officials were busy Wednesday morning getting ready for the annual festival, which begins at 7 a.m. with a Breast Cancer Awareness 5K run and walk and continues with an opening ceremony and entertainment through the afternoon.
Williams Station Day at a glance
- What: 34th annual Williams Station Day
- When: Saturday, Oct. 24. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the 5K starting at 7 a.m.
- Where: Pensacola Avenue in downtown Atmore
- Vendors: More than 100
- Organizer: Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce
Breast Cancer Awareness 5K starts the day
The day kicks off at 7 a.m. with the annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5K run and walk. The race starts at 501 S. Pensacola Ave., and the entry fee is $15.
A 5K covers 5 kilometers, or about 3.1 miles, a distance that works for serious runners as well as walkers who want to take part at their own pace. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and runs and walks like this one are a common way communities raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection.
Runners and walkers should plan to arrive early to check in and pick up any race materials. Questions about registration can be directed to the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce.
Entertainment schedule
After the 5K, the festival day officially begins with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Entertainment continues throughout the day. The schedule includes:
- 9:15 a.m. — Top Tier Twirling
- 10:30 a.m. — Rising Stars Baton
- 11:45 a.m. — High and Dry
- 1 p.m. — Mason Browder
- 2 p.m. — Car Show Awards
- 2 p.m. — Limitless Twirlers
The lineup mixes baton and twirling teams, which are a longtime favorite at small-town festivals across the South, with live music and the awards presentation for the festival’s car show.
Shopping and food along Pensacola Avenue
With more than 100 vendors expected to set up up and down most of Pensacola Avenue, Williams Station Day turns Atmore’s main downtown street into an open-air marketplace for the day. Festivals like this one typically feature arts and crafts, handmade goods, local businesses and food vendors, and they give downtown merchants a chance to welcome crowds that might not otherwise stop in.
Visitors should expect parts of Pensacola Avenue to be closed to traffic during the event and should plan to park nearby and walk in.
The story behind the name
The festival takes its name from Atmore’s early history. Before it became Atmore, the community was known as Williams Station, a stop along the railroad that helped the town grow. The town was later renamed Atmore, after C.P. Atmore, an official with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
Williams Station Day celebrates that heritage each fall, and after 34 years it has become one of the signature events on the Atmore calendar, drawing residents, former residents and visitors from across Escambia County and neighboring communities in Alabama and northwest Florida.
A welcome gathering after Hurricane Isaias
This year’s festival comes about two weeks after Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on Oct. 9 and swept north through southwest Alabama. Atmore came through the storm in better shape than some of its neighbors, and the community has since turned to helping others, including a relief supply drive at Wind Creek Atmore and a citywide debris pickup.
For many residents still dealing with cleanup, a Saturday on Pensacola Avenue offers a chance to come together with neighbors, support local vendors and enjoy a hometown tradition.
Tips for festivalgoers
- Arrive early for the best parking and to catch the opening ceremony at 9 a.m.
- Bring cash; some vendors may not accept cards.
- Wear comfortable shoes, since the festival stretches along much of Pensacola Avenue.
- Bring sunscreen and water, especially for the 5K and afternoon performances.
- Check with the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce for any last-minute schedule changes.
