Stories focus on Brundidge walking tour

Published 3:00 am Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Brundidge Historical Society will again participate in the Alabama Tourism Department’s April Walking Tours program on Saturday. The April Walking Tours program is designed to offer free tours through the historic districts of Alabama downtowns.

And, “hot dog,” for the first time Brundidge humorist Joey Strother and the Dons, Dickert and Renfroe, will sit down with the public at Studio 116 on Main Street and share their stories of the people and places of home.

The BHS participated in the April Walking Tours for the first time last year and Brundidge Historian John Phillip Johnston conducted a walking tour of Main Street.

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“John Phillip led a very interesting tour of our downtown area and offered a wealth of information about the businesses and the role they played in our community,” said Cathie Steed, BHS member. “Brundidge had a lot of very interesting and colorful merchants on Main Street in years back. We thought it would be fun to hear stories about them and their times.”

Steed said the BHS Walking Tour will include a “set down” similar to the one the BHS sponsored when Appalachian storyteller Gary Carden came to town.

“Gary Carden just sat down and told stories and that’s what Joey, Don and Don will do Saturday at Studio 116,” Steed said. “Instead of us walking around town, they will talk us around town.”

The “story speak” will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Studio 116 in downtown Brundidge and last about an hour. However, those who attend will be invited to come around 12:30 p.m. and enjoy a hotdog and friendly fellowship before sitting down for a time of looking back at the good ol’ days.

Chip Wallace participated in the 2014 Walking Tour of Brundidge and said he learned a lot about his hometown.

“John Phillip took us on a tour and told us what used to be in all of the buildings on Main Street,” Wallace said. “He told us about the old movie theater, the drug stores, feed stores, mercantile stores, hardwares and car dealerships. Now, I’m looking forward to hearing stories about the people who ran those businesses. It should be very interesting and very entertaining to hear what Joey, Don and Don have to tell.”