Depot Days is returning this year with additional events and festivities. The community-wide festival will kick off Sept. 15 and continue throughout the week. 

Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Grant McKelvey said the Chamber has expanded the event this year. 

“We are trying to add a little more to Depot Days this year. We have some great sponsors that have made different events possible, and Sonoco is our presenting sponsor this year. We really appreciate what they are doing,” McKelvey said. 

Festivities for the 39th annual Depot Days will start Sept. 15 at the Hartselle Tabernacle with a community worship service. The service will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to all congregations. Following the service there will be a social with finger foods, and guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share. 

Festivities will continue with Down Memory Lane Sept. 16. at the Burleson Center. The Hartselle Historical Society will welcome Steve Murray from the Alabama Bicentennial Committee, who will share stories about Alabama’s first 200 years. 

Displays set up for viewing from 6-8 p.m., with the lecture beginning at 7 p.m. 

“Being a bicentennial year this year, I would highly encourage people to come out and learn a little history,” McKelvey said. “We hope everybody gets to come out and have a good time – that’s what it’s all about.” 

The week will continue with a youth glow night that will take place at J.P. Cain Stadium Sept. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Glow night is open to area youth and will include a devotional led by Bo Culver. 

This year will be the first for the youth glow night. Kassi Hill, administrative and events coordinator at the Chamber, said the event will offer a fun way for youth to hang out. 

“Heather Wallace is going to do some music, and Coach Bo Culver is going to do a devotional,” Hill said. “We are going to do an altar call, and we are going to pass out glow sticks. We are also going to have black lights in the stadium and just kind of let them have some fun. 

“We will play some music and just let them hang out – just make it a night for the kids,” Hill added. 

Depot Days will continue with a community pep rally at the Hartselle High School gymnasium Sept. 19. The pep rally will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the community. All Hartselle youth leagues will be included with the high school athletes. 

The main festivities will take place Sept. 21 in downtown Hartselle and will include a car and tractor show, children’s area, art show, live music and more, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

This year, those enjoying the children’s area will purchase an armband for all the games and activities in the area. Hill said the change will allow for attendees to purchase the armband and enjoy the activities throughout the day.