By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer
COLUMBIANA – Despite looming clouds and intermittent downpours, the weather didn’t stand a chance against the excitement and community spirit that was on display as Columbiana celebrated its 38th annual Liberty Day Festival last weekend.
With an introductory event and musical performances from Uri and The Shimmer Band kicking off the festival on the evening of Friday, June 28, energized festival goers arrived in large numbers on the morning of Saturday, June 29 prepared for a long day of fun and fellowship.
Beginning at 8 a.m., crowds gathered in Old Mill Square Park as the city opened its third annual rendition of the Liberty Day 5k to the tune of 233 runners, which amounted to an approximate increase of 100 more participants than last year’s event.
That increase in attendance was also evident in the early morning, with the presence of vendors that lined both sides of Main Street and areas around Old Mill Square and the Shelby County Arts Council. Along with inflatables for children and stages prepped for band performances throughout the day and night, the day was set to be among the most attended renditions in the festival’s history—until the rain showers started.