2023 Alabama Butterbean Festival held in Pinson this past weekend

From The Tribune staff reports

PINSON – Main Street Pinson hosted the annual Alabama Butterbean Festival this past weekend, Oct. 6 and 7.

Community members pose with ABBF mascot Bucky Butterbean at the 2023 Alabama Butterbean Festival (Credit: Alabama Butterbean Festival)

The festival is considered by the Alabama Tourism Board to be the second largest in the state and brings citizens from all over to Main Street Pinson to participate.

This year’s event featured over 100 vendors and is expected to have exceeded last year’s participation numbers of 45,000. The festival featured a diverse lineup of activities including a Kid’s Corner for children’s activities and a petting zoo, the Alabama Butterbean Festival 5K presented by Food Giant Pinson, a pet parade by Sanitary Rug Cleaners, a carnival, a stage for live music and the fireworks display. New for this year was the addition of electric lighting, which allowed vendors to remain operational later on Friday when the festival ran from 6- 10 p.m.

“I thought the festival was great,” Pinson Mayor Joe Cochran said. “I appreciate the Clay-Pinson Chamber, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Officers, Center Point and Palmerdale Fire and all the city employees putting on a first-class event for all our visitors.”

Winners of the 5K for the “Overall” male and female categories were Darrell Webb, with a time of 00:20:56:24, and Caroline Cumbest, with a time of 00:21:33:30.

Others who placed in the race include, by category:

• Male 0-12 – Dixon Roye (1st place) and Ariksen Kirby (2nd place)
• Female 13-19 – Mychal Roye (1st place) and Erin Townes (2nd place)
• Female 20-29 – Gillian Brooks (1st place), Jacklyn Sandin (2nd place) and Hope Atchley (3rd place)
• Male 20-29 – Noah Karr (1st place), Kevin Mathu (2nd place) and Zachary Agent (3rd place)
• Female 30-39 – Caitlin Sandin (1st place) and Christine Drowskey (2nd place)
• Male 30-39 – Dustin Hunsaker (1st place)
• Female 40-49 – Amy Townes (1st place), Wendy Wennerstrom (2nd place) and Tiffany McPherson (3rd place)
• Male 50-59 – Jeff Sherrell (1st place) and Terry Teal (2nd place)
• Female 60-69 – Mary Gray (1st place)
• Male 60-69 – Robert Gray (1st place)
• Male 70-79 – Phil Transkey (1st place)

“What an absolutely fantastic 2023 Butterbean Festival,” says a post on the Alabama Butterbean Festival Facebook page. “Thank you to everyone who came out this weekend to spend time with us. We are already counting down the days until #BEAN24.”

Most of the proceeds from this year’s festival will go to benefit several local schools as well as the Jimmy Hale Mission, Jessie’s Place and Solid Rock Church.

For more information about the annual festival, visit  alabamabutterbeanfestival.com.