First-ever Blake Drive Block Party April 18

DOUBLE SPRINGS - The Winston County Commission is throwing a party, and the entire county is invited.
In honor of America’s 250th birthday this year, the Winston County Commission is holding the first-ever Blake Drive block party Saturday, April 18, from 4-9 p.m. in front of and on the grounds of the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs.  The event is completely free and 100 percent family-friendly.
“This is a great event for everyone in the family to come and socialize and have a great time,”  Cummings said.
From 12 p.m. until midnight, Blake Drive in Double Springs will be closed all the way to Guttery Street, which will also be closed for the event.  In keeping with the block party being entirely free, no vendors will be allowed to set up if they are planning to sell items. Family-friendly items can be given away.
The county commission will be providing free hot dogs, chips and drinks.
At 4:30 p.m., the Cooter Brown Band will take the stage, which will be set up at the front of the Winston County Courthouse at the first stair landing.  Attendees will need to bring their chairs, and chair placement will be on a first come, first served basis.
An intermission will take place from 6:30-7 p.m., followed by the live debut of Southern Star, an Alabama tribute band led by Winston County’s own Mike Mayhall.
Southern Star will take the stage at 7 p.m.  The evening will end with a fireworks show at approximately 8:30 p.m.  The location of where the fireworks will be ignited was still being determined as of press time, but it will be a location that will make viewing from the block party safe and very visible.
April 18, is significant in American Revolution history.  On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes and others set out from Boston to warn Patriots that British troops were marching to seize military supplies in Concord, Mass. and to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams.  Local militias mobilized upon hearing the news.  According to the Museum of the American Revolution’s website, the first shots of the American Revolution were fired  the next day, April 19, 1775, beginning a war that would last until the British were defeated in 1783 and America was finally free.
The commission is especially encouraging all veterans to come out for this event.  All veterans present will be recognized, commissioners said.
Commissioners noted that they have several sponsors who are helping them with this event.  Any business, church or organization that would like to help sponsor the block party call call the Winston County Commission office at (205) 489-5026.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for the county commission to give back to our county and our country, which has give so much to us,”  District 1 Commissioner Rutger Hyche said.