Dawn, Ken, and the Starz have been Dave Ramsey’s personally Endorsed Local Providers for Real Estate in the Birmingham area for 7 years and are Dave’s top agents out of over 600 agents nationwide!
Gardendale is a quiet pocket of friendly people, shady neighborhoods, and prosperous businesses. Our city began its life in the 1830s as a farming community, but today the city of Gardendale is recognized as a leader in North Jefferson County, and boasts a population of about 12,000 residents, four schools, and 400 businesses.
A large farm settlement near the area today known as Gardendale was settled around 1825. Some years later, other settlers began to move into the community commonly known as Jugtown, a name given to the area based on the presence of a large jug and churn factory that operated in the area. Some years later, Hettie Thomason Cargo a school teacher would lead a campaign to change the name of the community. In 1906, the name Gardendale was selected and in 1955, the City of Gardendale was officially incorporated. Today, with more than 13,000 residents (estimated), the city of Gardendale has grown to include more than 400 businesses, 4 schools, and 24 churches. In 1996, the Olympic torch run passed through the city during the weeks leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Before Interstate 65 was constructed, the main route between Nashville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama was U.S. Route 31. Prior to being built as a four-lane road, U.S. 31 was a twisting two-lane road, still largely visible today denoting its historical significance as a stagecoach route between Tennessee and Birmingham during the 19th century. Since 1980, Gardendale has annexed considerable acreage on the north, east, and west sides. Much of the eastern area is uninhabited. Most of the newest residential development has been in the Fieldstown Road area and along Shady Grove Road south of Fieldstown Road. The northern annexation has centered along US 31 and extends nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) farther north than 1980.
Holiday Shopping
Homewood businesses kick off the holidays with the annual Holiday Open House. The popular event has grown each year and features complementary appetizers and beverages, trolley rides, live music, and the opportunity to preview the season’s best gift ideas in a fun and festive environment.
Christmas in Homewood
Celebrate the holidays in Homewood with the festive annual Homewood Christmas Parade. The parade starts at the Homewood Public Library, travels east on Oxmoor Road to 18th Street, around to 28th Street and Central Avenue with the parade ending at Homewood Central Park. The parade features a variety of civic groups, churches, clubs, organizations, school groups, businesses, and individuals. Awards are given for “Best Float,” “Best Performance,” and “Best of Show.” The parade’s traditional finale is the arrival of Santa Claus riding atop the Homewood Fire Department’s ladder truck. Following the parade, Santa is available for photos on the 18th Street plaza.
Easter Egg Hunt
Homewood Central Park is home to Homewood’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt is for toddlers to 12-year-olds. Children hunt for eggs by age groups, and there is a section for children with special needs. There are also Moon Walks, train rides, and a Merry-Go-Round.
Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off
Each year, dozens of chili cooking aficionados turn out to see whose recipe will reign supreme at the Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off. Held in the Exceptional Foundation parking lot, which is shared with Homewood Central Park on Oxmoor Road, the cook-off has become a highly anticipated event and the Foundation’s biggest fundraiser. A panel of judges chooses the grand-prize winner and first and second runners-up, as well as the winners of the fundraising and spirit awards. Event patrons vote on the People’s Choice Award. Festivalgoers sample chili and enjoy live music. Kids activities include face painting, a moonwalk, and a magician.
Friday Night Flicks
Each Friday night during the summer, Homewood Central Park becomes an outdoor movie theater, with family friendly movies shown on a huge outdoor screen. There are also food and beverage vendors, inflatables, and other kid-friendly activities. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic basket for loads of family fun.
Downtown Homewood Farmer's Market
Homewood’s first Farmers Market kicked off on May 22 and will continue each Saturday through August. The Farmers Market is a partnership between Urban Cook House, a new Homewood eatery featuring locally grown foods, and the Homewood Chamber of Commerce. Located at the corner of 18th Street S. and 29th Avenue, the market features local farmers selling their fresh-from-the-field produce.
Homewood Chamber Golf Tournament
Held at Oxmoor Valley, a 54-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed
facility, the Homewood Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic puts
the fun in fundraiser. After a shotgun start, golf teams compete
for bragging rights and prizes for first-, second-, and third-place
finishes. There is also a putting contest, and each golfer receives
an official tournament golf shirt or cap and many other valuable
prizes in their gift bag. The “after the tournament party”
features great food and
live music. There are
drawings for incredible
door prizes donated by
Homewood businesses,
which are always a fan
favorite. The 2010 event
features a hole-in-one
competition with a
prize of a Toyota from
Limbaugh Toyota and
gifts of golf balls from
State Farm Insurance.
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