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Photos by Allison Carpenter
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Photos by Allison Carpenter
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Photos by Allison Carpenter
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Photos by Allison Carpenter
Kelly Peoples, event manager for the City of Hoover, was initially drawn to the city for its safety and education.
“I moved to Hoover in 2000,” she said. “Safety is important
to me, and it is such a safe city. It also has a wonderful school system that all three of my children are lucky enough to be a part of.”
Kelly, who has also served as a Hoover Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for many years, believes the city has much to offer and enjoys the opportunity to highlight it regularly through special events like Celebrate Hoover Day.
“I love seeing thousands of Hoover residents come out and have such a great time,” she shared.
Each year, more than 15,000 Hoover residents, families, and friends attend Celebrate Hoover Day, a free event allowing neighbors to connect with one another while enjoying fun activities and learning about local businesses.
This year will be no exception. On Saturday, April 26, guests can head to Veterans Park on Valleydale Road from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, airbrush tattoos and food trucks. Hoover Police and Hoover Fire Departments will also be there with their equipment on display. And, of course, there will be ice cream and a 10-foot apple pie.
The pie, which has become as popular as the event itself, fills a 2,000-pound custom-built pan, is mixed by students from Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary Hospitality Institute, and is baked onsite in a specialty convection oven.
“Because [the convection oven] is so large, it takes up two lanes of traffic and must be police-escorted in the very early morning hours from storage at the Public Safety Center to Veterans Park,” Kelly said.
She added the tradition of the giant apple pie began in 2010 to add a memorable twist to Celebrate Hoover Day. The pie was the largest in Alabama’s history, a title it still holds today.
For up-to-date information on Celebrate Hoover Day and to learn more about events throughout the year, visit hooveralabama.gov and follow the City of Hoover on Facebook and Instagram.
When: Saturday, April 2611am – 3 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park on Valleydale Road
Cost: Free admission, rides and apple pie. Food and additional items will be available for purchase.