Plans underway for Hatchett Creek float
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Approximately 20 floaters had fun and enjoyed the 2023 Creek Run Festival, even with September’s lower water levels and slower flow. The Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways is now planning for the 2024 Creek Run Festival, which is hoped to be an even better success as it will be held in the spring. Photos by Christa Jennings
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Plans are now underway for the 2024 Creek Run Festival, a one-day float along a portion of Hatchett Creek, which will be held May 18.
The Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways met last month for the first time since the September float and met again Monday to begin planning for this year’s event, conduct business and keep members updated.
During the February 22 meeting, the Board of Directors for the association elected the president and vice president for the year. By unanimous vote, Sheldon Hutcherson is once again serving as president while Michael Howell serves as vice president.
At the meetings it was reported that almost all of the mile marker signs have now been installed along Hatchett Creek all through Coosa County, a project that began last year. Initially signs were placed between Kings Bridge and Double Bridges in time for last year’s float, but now signs have been almost completely installed for the full length of the creek through the county.
During Monday morning’s meeting, the board briefly discussed changing financial institutions because of First Bank having transitioned to a credit union. The board then unanimously approved changing its account from Alabama One credit union to First Community Bank.
In other business, Hutcherson mentioned that Board Member Sharon Haynes has moved and is no longer able to attend the meetings. The board unanimously approved adding association member Matthew Reams to the Board of Directors to replace Haynes.
The bulk of the meeting discussions then focused on plans for this year’s float. After having the float in the fall last year, the board opted to try to hold the event in the spring this year in hopes of having better water levels and flow.
The board decided on May 18 for this year’s event, which will be the same route and time as last year’s float. As such, participants will put in at Kings Bridge outside of Rockford and take out at Double Bridges in the Richville area.
There is a $30 registration fee for the Creek Run Festival only, or a $50 registration fee to include the trip fee and membership with the CCASW.
The CCASW Board plans to have goody bags available once again this year of free items for participants, which will include a 2024 Creek Run Festival T-shirt and other goodies.
There is expected to be live music again this year, as well, although the board is still considering options for the entertainment as it is in the early stages of planning.
Regarding sponsorships for this year’s event, First Community Bank stated that it would sponsor food for the float and asked about other things the CCASW might need, such as signage and banners. The board is also checking into other sponsors, such as Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, to see about sponsoring snacks, water, items for the goody bags, participant T-shirts, or other forms of sponsorship for the event.
Along those lines, during Monday’s meeting the board also briefly discussed the possibility of including logos for sponsors on this year’s participant T-shirts. It was mentioned that if logos are included the shirts would need to be screen printed, and the board agreed to look into and consider that option going forward.
Anyone interested in participating in the Creek Run Festival May 18 or who would like to be a sponsor for the float can email coosawaterways@yahoo.com or call Hutcherson at 256-307-7495 for more information.
Separate from the float event discussion, it was also stated that association memberships are up for renewal. There is no change to the rates from last year.
Those interested in joining the CCASW or renewing their membership can do so at a rate of $50 for family (adults only), $10 for youth, $25 for individuals, and $100 for a business, club, or corporation. All membership types come with full voting privileges, except for the youth category.
To join the Association of Scenic Waterways, reach out to the contact information above for more details, or visit the Facebook page at Coosa County Scenic Waterways to download the membership form. Checks for membership can be made payable to Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways (CCASW) and mailed to P.O. Box 156; Rockford, AL 35136.
Regarding the next grant the association plans to pursue, Hutcherson said the board will be checking into grants for cleaning up entryways to Hatchett Creek, such as at Kings Bridge and U.S. Highway 231.
The next meeting of the Coosa County Association of Scenic Waterways’ Board of Directors will be held at 8 a.m. March 25. Meetings are open to the public, and members or those interested in membership are encouraged to attend.
