The Selma

Times-Journal

About 300 people paid to be a part of the inaugural Alabama Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival, with about 1,000 total attending, including vendors and volunteers, event organizers said.

Put together by the Selma Kiwanis Club, the event featured activities, booths and contests all dedicated to the great outdoors Saturday.

“We are thrilled,” Bob “Fatback” Green said.

The event was the brainchild of Green and Lee Youngblood, members of the Kiwanis Club.

Green said they were trying to come up with an event that everyone could enjoy – especially area children – and raise money for charities supported by the charity.

“See the kids out there,” Youngblood said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

The event featured booths on everything from hunting equipment to handmade arrowheads. Activities included an outdoor bass fishing exhibit, a pellet gun shooting range and Frisbee golf “Redneck Style.”

One of the highlights of the event was the Mutual of Omaha Venison Chili Cookoff.

Green said that the Kiwanis worked hard to get the event going.

“This is the first time (we’ve) ever done this,” Green said. “We didn’t know what to expect.”

He said this year was a learning experience for everyone involved.

“It’s going to be bigger and better next year,” Green said.

While the main festival was well attended, Green said he expected more to show up for the live entertainment later Saturday.

Sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, Green expected to get even more ticket sales.

The festival will continue today at the Old National Guard Armory on Dallas Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.