--- title: "Celebrate the Family Expo 2023 Recap!" date: 2023-09-21 author: "Laurie Stroud" featured_image: "https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Expo-crowd-photo-from-above.jpg" categories: - name: "Entertainment" url: "/category/news/entertainment.md" tags: - name: "Featured" url: "/tag/featured.md" - name: "Featured - Entertainment" url: "/tag/featured-entertainment.md" --- # Celebrate the Family Expo 2023 Recap! **Special Feature** *Birmingham Christian Family* (BCF) celebrated 23 years of GOOD NEWS at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023. Here are just a few of the highlights from the free day of family fun at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex’s Finley Center. Click here to watch a quick recap of the fun filled day! --- [![Laurie with Mark and Mayor Brocato](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Laurie-with-Mark-and-Mayor-Brocato-300x202.jpg "Laurie with Mark and Mayor Brocato")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Laurie-with-Mark-and-Mayor-Brocato.jpg)City of Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato (R) helped us kick off the day of fun. Special thanks to our Expo Emcee Mark Harvard (Center) who is a pastor and media specialist at [Clearbranch Methodist](https://birminghamchristian.com/church/clearbranch-methodist/). --- [![Expo swag bags on table](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Expo-swag-bags-on-table-229x300.jpg "Expo swag bags on table")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Expo-swag-bags-on-table.jpg)The first 250 attendees to the event received an Expo swag bag packed full of great giveaway items from Expo sponsors. --- [![Chick fil A Herd with Mayor Brocato and JT](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Chick-fil-A-Herd-with-Mayor-Brocato-and-JT-300x225.jpg "Chick fil A Herd with Mayor Brocato and JT")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Chick-fil-A-Herd-with-Mayor-Brocato-and-JT.jpg)The Chick-fil-A Herd of Cows danced with Expo attendees and handed out plush cows. Plus, JT with 105.5 WERC joined the fun. --- [![Expo crowd photo from above](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Expo-crowd-photo-from-above-300x201.jpg "Expo crowd photo from above")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Expo-crowd-photo-from-above.jpg)Each attendee received a Birthday Bingo sheet when they arrived. Every booth had a special stamp and if attendees filled out six rows of stamps by visiting each booth, they were entered to receive great prizes like a $100 Walmart gift card courtesy of WAY-FM, Christmas Village tickets, three 100% executive leather padfolios courtesy of [Vapor Ministries and their Kisanni Market](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l_tWp6rvqBs), two $50 Publix gift cards courtesy [Alabama Credit Union](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuE6nNAsxNk/), and so much more. --- [![Kevin Derryberry performing](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kevin-Derryberry-performing-300x201.jpg "Kevin Derryberry performing")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kevin-Derryberry-performing.jpg)Live praise and worship music was enjoyed by all thanks to Kevin Derryberry. --- [![Child with face painted](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Child-with-face-painted-228x300.jpg "Child with face painted")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Child-with-face-painted.jpg)Children enjoyed getting their faces painted for free, courtesy of [Painted Personalities](https://paintedpersonalities.com/). --- [![Hoover belles](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hoover-belles-300x204.jpg "Hoover belles")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hoover-belles.jpg)The Hoover Belles joined us for the fun day and took photos with attendees. --- [![Inflatables at Expo](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Inflatables-at-Expo-300x201.jpg "Inflatables at Expo")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Inflatables-at-Expo.jpg)Inflatables and interactive games from [River of Life Church](https://birminghamchristian.com/church/river-of-life-church/) were a huge hit in the Expo’s Kids Zone. --- [![Southern Coffee and Waffles Food Truck](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Southern-Coffee-and-Waffles-Food-Truck-300x208.jpg "Southern Coffee and Waffles Food Truck")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Southern-Coffee-and-Waffles-Food-Truck.jpg)Expo attendees enjoyed delicious food from [Eugene’s Hot Chicken](https://www.eugeneshotchicken.com/), [Krazy Good BBQ](https://www.facebook.com/KRAZYGOODBBQ/), [Lil Bougie Foodie](https://www.facebook.com/Thelilbougiefoodie/), and [Southern Coffee and Waffles](https://www.facebook.com/southerncoffeeandwaffles/). --- [![Gone for Good Truck](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Gone-for-Good-Truck-300x201.jpg "Gone for Good Truck")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Gone-for-Good-Truck.jpg)Thanks to [Gone for Good (a program of United Ability), free shredding and recycling](https://birminghamchristian.com/free-service-with-big-benefits-to-you-and-the-community-shredding-e-waste-recycling/) was onsite at the Expo. --- [![Alabama Wildlife Bird](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Alabama-Wildlife-Bird-231x300.jpg "Alabama Wildlife Bird")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Alabama-Wildlife-Bird.jpg) [![Two by Two Animal Rescue Dog](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Two-by-Two-Animal-Rescue-Dog-218x300.jpg "Two by Two Animal Rescue Dog")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Two-by-Two-Animal-Rescue-Dog.jpg)Adorable adoptable dogs with [Two by Two Animal Rescue](https://birminghamchristian.com/caring-for-gods-creatures-two-by-two-rescue/) and feathered friends from [Alabama Wildlife Center](https://birminghamchristian.com/meet-alabama-wildlife-centers-feathered-friends-at-the-celebrate-the-family-expo/) joined in on the fun day. --- The [Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage](https://crumblcookies.com/) was a crowd favorite! The stage welcomed a great lineup of celebrity chefs including Hannah Sparks, owner of Psalm 34 Bakery and Catering; Danna Standridge, author of *Happiness is Homemade, Y’all*; Katrina Adams of In the Kitchen with K Marie and BCF contributor; [Ashley McMakin, owner of Birmingham favorite Ashley Mac’s](https://birminghamchristian.com/faith-food-flourish-at-ashley-macs/); [BBQ Pitmaster Van Sykes of Bob Sykes Bar B Q](https://birminghamchristian.com/a-family-legacy-bob-sykes-bbq-blues-festival/); Lee Pantazis owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs; and [Brenda Gantt, beloved southern cook](https://birminghamchristian.com/brenda-gantt-down-home-cooking-with-a-side-of-jesus/) and her son-in-law [Alabama outdoorsman and author Walt Merrell](https://birminghamchristian.com/called-to-engage-in-gods-great-outdoors-alabama-district-attorney-author-walt-merrell/). [![Ashley McMakin on Chef Stage](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ashley-McMakin-on-Chef-Stage-260x300.jpg "Ashley McMakin on Chef Stage")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ashley-McMakin-on-Chef-Stage.jpg) [![Danna Standridge on Chef Stage](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Danna-Standridge-on-Chef-Stage-300x201.jpg "Danna Standridge on Chef Stage")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Danna-Standridge-on-Chef-Stage.jpg) [![Walt Merrell and Brenda Gantt on Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Walt-Merrell-and-Brenda-Gantt-on-Crumbl-Cookies-Celebrity-Chef-Stage-249x300.jpg "Walt Merrell and Brenda Gantt on Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Walt-Merrell-and-Brenda-Gantt-on-Crumbl-Cookies-Celebrity-Chef-Stage.jpg) --- Special thanks to our Expo sponsors for making the event a reality and sharing great family resources and giveaways with attendees. **[![Children's of Alabama booth](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Childrens-of-Alabama-booth-300x201.jpg "Children's of Alabama booth")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Childrens-of-Alabama-booth.jpg)Major Sponsors:** [Children’s of Alabama](https://www.childrensal.org/) and [Crumbl Cookies Vestavia Hills, Alabaster and coming soon to Mountain Brook and Greystone](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FHBwrVh2mcw). **[![Crumbl Cookies Booth](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crumbl-Cookies-Booth-300x201.jpg "Crumbl Cookies Booth")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Crumbl-Cookies-Booth.jpg)Event Sponsors:** [Alabama Credit Union,](https://www.alabamacu.com/) [Bham Now](https://bhamnow.com/), [EXIT Realty Cahaba](https://www.exitrealtycahaba.com/), [Jefferson Credit Union](https://jeffersoncreditunion.org/), [LeafFilter Gutter Protection](https://www.leaffilter.com/), [Reignite Chiropractic](https://reignitechiropractic.com/), [Renewal by Andersen](https://www.renewalbyandersen.com/window-company/985-alabama/about-us), [Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association](https://scottdawson.org/), [Thrivent](http://www.thrivent.com/), [Vapor Ministries](https://www.vaporministries.org/), [Vulcan Termite & Pest Control](https://www.vulcantermite.com/), and [Wellcare](https://wellcare.com/en/Alabama). [To view more photos of the fun day, click here.](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.824581509669595&type=3) **Plans are already underway for the 5th Annual Celebrate the Family Expo!** to be held [September 14, 2024 at the Hoover Met Finley Center.](https://birminghamchristian.com/event/celebrate-the-family-expo-2024/) [For sponsor and exhibitor information click here](http://www.birminghamchristian.com/registration). Space is limited.