By Chris Basinger
Staff Reporter
TRUSSVILLE–The Cahaba Homestead Heritage Foundation has announced that the Second Annual Heritage Days festival, celebrating Trussville’s Historic District, will be held the week of April 15.
The celebration will feature events with Alabama artists, live music, games, and will be capped off with a tour of several historic Trussville homes.
All throughout the week, the Alabama Plein Air Artists will be out and about painting landmarks and nature scenes across the Cahaba Project neighborhood, said local artist and foundation president Amy O’Brien.
“Plein Air” is a French term for open air painting, which dates back to the impressionist movement of the 1800s when artists started to move out of their studios and paint in the world.
“I love Plein Air painting like this,” O’Brien said.
“It’s from life. It’s very much in the moment. You’re capturing that day, that time of year, and there’s a quality to it that makes it timeless.”
All of the paintings will be showcased and available for purchase directly from the artists during the Birmingham Heritage Jazz Band’s performance at the Trussville Entertainment District on Saturday, April 20.
O’Brien recalled that last year “people in Trussville were eager to see these local scenes. Many of them were people’s houses or views of the river, the school, so they just kind of flew off the wall.”
The concert, which will be free to the public, will see the 18-piece orchestra perform 1930s big band pieces, harkening back to the origins of the Cahaba Project.
Following Heritage Days, the paintings will be temporarily put on display at the Trussville Public Library for the month of May.
Also returning this year will be China and Mary Ann Pettway of the world-renowned Gee’s Bend Quilters, who will host a meet and greet at the library as well as a two-day quilting workshop.
“For some people [meeting the quilters] is a once in a lifetime thing. These two quilters that are with us are with the original generation before Gee’s Bend Quilting was discovered,” O’Brien said.
“They’re in great health but they’re getting older and, like I said, it could be once in a lifetime for someone to come and meet them and see what they do.”
During the meet and greet on Friday, April 19, the collective will also have some of its pieces available for purchase.
“Some of them are priced as low as $15 for these little coasters, so there’s a range for everyone’s budget. Some of the larger quilts fetch prices of $10,000 and $20,000,” O’Brien noted.
Locals can also get a hands-on experience with the group as part of their two-day quilting workshop from April 19-20 at the library.
Tickets, which cover both days of the workshop, are $100, and as of Tuesday 18 of the 24 spots have been filled.
A list of supplies to bring to the event can be found on the Heritage Days’ website.
The foundation is also introducing a new event this year–Trussville Jeopardy.
The event, which will be held on April 16 at the library, will test locals’ knowledge of the Cahaba Project and Trussville history.
Winners will receive prizes donated by local businesses, who will also be offering special Heritage Deals in stores during the week.
The week will close with ever-popular Historic Home Tours on Sunday, April 21.
The tours will feature three houses, including the oldest in Trussville–the Hickman-Yarbrough house–which dates back to the 1850s.
Tickets are $20 and will go toward supporting the creation of a Daffodil Trail in Trussville’s Historic District.
All ticket holders will also be eligible to win a raffle basket filled with gifts from Trussville businesses.
O’Brien said she looks forward to having families come out and enjoy the events.
“We look forward to growing Heritage Days even more with the home tour, with the artists returning every year and I’m excited to see what other events we’ll offer next year,” O’Brien said.
For information on the full events schedule and to register, visit: https://cahabaheritage.org/2024-heritage-days/