Cool Stuff
Jugtown, Ala. changed its name to Gardendale, Ala. in 1906. Why? Find out when you attend the 17th Annual Magnolia Festival at the Gardendale Civic Center on April 21. Plus, you will have an opportunity to see an original jug claimed to be made in the Jugtown factory from 1873-1876. The jug was recently donated to the Gardendale Historical Society museum by local resident Marie Fields.
The Gardendale Magnolia Festival has commissioned local artisan potter, Jay Burton, to make 100 replicas of the jug to be sold only at the Festival, Saturday April 21. Burton, of Burton Pottery by Jay, will be on site at the exhibit to demonstrate how to make pottery. He makes his tools by hand and only uses Mt. Olive/Gardendale clay to create his pottery. Members of the Gardendale Historical Society will share with visitors the story of how Jugtown changed its name to Gardendale as well as the story of why they believe the donated jug is an original jug made in the Jugtown factory. The jug can be seen now and during the festival at the Museum which is near the civic center amphitheater on Bell Street off Main Street in Gardendale.
The Magnolia Festival will kick off on Friday April 20, from 5-10pm with an entertainment stage, food and a carnival. On Saturday enjoy the pottery exhibit along with live entertainment on three stages, including “blue grass with a twist” from the Judge Talford Band, a pooch parade, car show, free art classes, 150 vendors and more. Admission is free. Learn more at www.magnoliafestival.org. †
The Magnolia Festival kicks off on Friday April 20 and will feature the Jugtown Pottery exhibit on Saturday April 21 and so much more, wwwmagnoliafestivla.org.
