By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – When the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce made a last-minute decision to change the name of Trussville City Fest back to the festival’s original name, Dog Daze, they had no idea the amount of excitement and support “bringing it back” would generate.
An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people came out to the historic Trussville Mall on Saturday, Sept. 16, to relive the days of old as they visited vendor booths, listened to live music, and let their kids play games and ride rides.
While the name “Dog Daze” is a reference to the hottest days of summer, many Trussville residents honored the tradition of bringing their dogs out to enjoy the festival, even entering their companions into the Pet Supplies Plus “Pup Strut” dog show.
“It’s amazing to me how the name change generated so much excitement; more than I thought it would,” said Melissa Walker, event manager of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce. “After seeing and hearing the excitement from people for Dog Daze, I am excited for next year!”
Moving the festival back to the mall, after years of City Fest being spread throughout downtown Trussville, was another game-changer, Walker said.
“Moving it back to the mall was huge,” she said. “We had moved it (away from the mall) because we thought people wanted something different. Then we realized last year, no they don’t. They want it back on the mall. So this year, it was amazing having everything back together – ‘Bringing it Back’ was the perfect theme for it. Bringing back the name, bringing back the location – it just brought back the excitement!”
The excitement stretched beyond the local community, evening bringing public officials like State Representative Danny Garrett (R-Alabama) out to celebrate.
“Welcome back, Trussville Dog Daze! It’s been 10 years and we are happy to see you again,” Garrett posted on his Facebook page. “Great turnout on a ‘fallish Saturday’. Thanks to the Trussville Chamber of Commerce and the City of Trussville for a fantastic event.”
Despite predictions of rain throughout the day, the weather was beautiful for the entirety of the festival.
Festival-goers of all ages had multiple opportunities to enjoy a variety of entertainment, from a classic car “Cruise In” sponsored by Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, to carnival rides provided by Fun Source. Walker said over 150 vendors signed up for Dog Daze, which is the most the Chamber has ever had sign up for a city festival.
“It was cool to see so many organizations investing into it,” Walker said. “Public Works did the ‘Touch That Truck’ area where they let the kids get in the vehicles. They really made it cute.”
The Trussville Public Works “Touch that Truck” area not only provided fun photo-ops, but there were also kiddie pools filled with sand and toy construction vehicles.
“That’s what I love; to make it a true festival for the city, we need people from different parts of the city involved and I feel like that’s what happened this time,” Walker said. “When everybody invests their time, their efforts and their ideas, that’s what makes it so great!”
Multiple raffles also took place throughout the day, including the Chamber’s raffle, which served as a fundraiser for its scholarship fund.
The Chamber raffled off four gift baskets: one full of gift cards donated by Chamber members; one with a free membership to the YMCA; one for a year of free Whataburger; and one full of fall décor from Target.
Even though the Chamber is now looking toward the Trussville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, Walker said she’s already thinking about next year’s Dog Daze.
“We have a committee and we’re going to meet together and kind of regroup to talk about everything,” she said. “There are so many memories that people talk about of Dog Daze, and I would love next year to bring back more aspects of the true Dog Daze – to pull in more of those ideas and things that were from the past.”
While some have expressed a desire to see Dog Daze moved back to August, in order to align with the dog days of summer, others have said they appreciated not having to worry about the August heat.
Whatever decisions are made, one thing is certain: Dog Daze will remain Dog Daze.
“It’s just a name change, but it makes us unique,” Walker said. “Everybody has City Fest, but Dog Daze makes Trussville unique. Everybody’s excited that it’s back and that makes me happy.”
Sponsors for this year’s Dog Daze included Brown Automotive (presenting sponsor), Courtesy Buick GMC, Bryant Bank, AmFirst Credit Union, Birmingham Coca-Cola, Ascension St. Vincent’s and Grandview Medical Center/Freestanding ER, Voigt-Abernathy Company, Pet Supplies Plus, Aire Serv, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, BBB of Central & South Alabama, Wilbur’s, WZZK, Trussville To Go, APCO Employees Credit Union and SouthPoint Bank.