By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Organizers of the Dizzy Dean 7-year-old World Series are inviting all north Jefferson County residents to take part in opening ceremonies next week.

Stan Hogeland, superintendent of Gardendale’s parks and recreation department, said next Thursday’s opening ceremonies at the Gardendale Civic Center should be an event that north Jefferson County can be proud of.

“We’re trying to do everything right and first class,” Hogeland said. “We want people to be impressed with our community.”

At Monday’s Gardendale City Council meeting, Mayor Kenny Clemons urged council members and residents to make the thousands of expected visitors feel welcome in the city.

“This is really something important for our city and we’ll put our best foot forward,” Clemons said. “If you see someone in trouble or in need, help them if they need it.”

Derrick Barker, who will be coaching a Gardendale team, said the world series is a win-win for the community, players and coaches.

“We’re excited that we’re having it here and not having to travel,” Barker said. “It’s the little things that the kids will appreciate. Sometimes they don’t get to go to the world series for reasons out of their control. I think they’ll remember it the rest of their lives.”

The world series committee, made up of representatives from both Gardendale and Fultondale, began meeting last July, laying the groundwork for the event. The world series marks the first time that both Gardendale and Fultondale have teamed up for a large-scale project.

Businesses and civic groups have also gotten more involved in series. On Tuesday, the Gardendale Rotary Club hosted a dinner for Dizzy Dean officials and planning committee members.

Rotary Club President Mark Argo said the idea of the dinner was to thank those in both cities who have been working behind the scenes on the event.

“I’m excited to see the two communities work hand in hand to bring something as exciting and economically impacting to our area,” Argo said.

The opening night celebration will be jam-packed with events for not only players and coaches, but for players’ families and residents.

A tentative schedule will include a pre-tournament dinner for players and coaches at 5 p.m. Hogeland said employees from the parks and recreation department will be cooking barbecue all day and plates will be sold to players’ family members and members of the community. Food will include ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs.

The opening ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. and is scheduled to include comments from Clemons and Mayor Jim Lowery of Fultondale. Fox 6 sports personality Sheldon Haygood will emcee the evening’s events.

The ceremony will also include a parade of teams. Hogeland said it was not yet known how many teams will be participating in the world series because teams have up to two days before the tournament begins to register.

Those in attendance will also be treated to live music, courtesy of Nashville-based recording artists, The Held, a Christian music group.

All of the evening’s activities will culminate into a $5,000 fireworks show, to be staged by Fireworks Unlimited of Warrior. Business owner Fred Berry said it will be a “big show” with 400 to 500 shots featuring smiley faces and palm trees.

Berry’s business previously worked with Gardendale First Baptist Church on July Fourth fireworks shows and Gardendale’s millennium celebration.

“It will be very unique to the area,” Berry said. “When a town does fireworks for a community, they’re saying, ‘We’re giving something back to you.’”

Hogeland said he hoped all north Jefferson County residents would come to the festivities, bring a lawn chair and just enjoy a night of fun.

“We’re really trying to do it up right and make this a memorable event for the teams coming,” he said. “I just hope the community comes out and had a good time. To support this, all you have to do is come.”