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	Poke Salat Festival To Get Makeover July 20, 2010 The details are still being worked out, but if plans materialize, next year's Poke Salat Festival will be revamped to include some high profile bluegrass entertainment as well as other changes to the activities and events. The event would be patterned after similar events in surrounding cities. Arab Park & Recreation Director Steve Hallman, Arab Chamber of Commerce President Katy Norton, and Dawn Sparks of the Arab Downtown Merchants Association, presented a brief overview of the proposed changes during the Arab City Council meeting Monday night. The group was also asking for financial support from the council to secure at least three nationally known bands for the event. Norton said that she has commitments from bands Dailey & Vincent, Balsam Ridge, and the Boxcars. She also said that local and regional bands are also being sought to perform. "We already have commitments from some of those bands as well." Norton added. According to Hallman, organizers plan to set up three stages in different downtown areas for entertainment. Main Street and Cullman Road would be blocked off for the one day event from the Arab First Baptist Church to the overpass bridge at Brindlee Mountain Parkway. Norton said admission to the entertainment venues would require an arm band and would involve an admission charge. The group said that while the event could draw as many as 10,000 visitors to the city, they would be happy with 4 to 5 thousand. Norton told the council that she has tentatively booked the three bands to headline the entertainment but needed a commitment of $12 - $15,000 dollars from the council to finalize the booking and to arrange for stage, and sound equipment. All of the financial assistance would come from the next fiscal year budget. While the council did not take an official vote, all of the council members expressed their support for the project. Sparks said this would be the 27th year for the festival and that despite a lot of effort from several people, the event was not growing. "We have reached the point where it has to grow or cease." Sparks told the the council.

Poke Salat Festival To Get Makeover

July 20, 2010
The details are still being worked out, but if plans materialize, next year's Poke Salat Festival will be revamped to include some high profile bluegrass entertainment as well as other changes to the activities and events. The event would be patterned after similar events in surrounding cities.

Arab Park & Recreation Director Steve Hallman, Arab Chamber of Commerce President Katy Norton, and Dawn Sparks of the Arab Downtown Merchants Association, presented a brief overview of the proposed changes during the Arab City Council meeting Monday night. The group was also asking for financial support from the council to secure at least three nationally known bands for the event.

Norton said that she has commitments from bands Dailey & Vincent, Balsam Ridge, and the Boxcars. She also said that local and regional bands are also being sought to perform. "We already have commitments from some of those bands as well." Norton added.

According to Hallman, organizers plan to set up three stages in different downtown areas for entertainment. Main Street and Cullman Road would be blocked off for the one day event from the Arab First Baptist Church to the overpass bridge at Brindlee Mountain Parkway. Norton said admission to the entertainment venues would require an arm band and would involve an admission charge. The group said that while the event could draw as many as 10,000 visitors to the city, they would be happy with 4 to 5 thousand.

Norton told the council that she has tentatively booked the three bands to headline the entertainment but needed a commitment of $12 - $15,000 dollars from the council to finalize the booking and to arrange for stage, and sound equipment. All of the financial assistance would come from the next fiscal year budget. While the council did not take an official vote, all of the council members expressed their support for the project.

Sparks said this would be the 27th year for the festival and that despite a lot of effort from several people, the event was not growing. "We have reached the point where it has to grow or cease." Sparks told the the council.