OAKMAN – The Town of Oakman was awarded $3,900 from the Alabama Department of Tourism Grant Program to be put toward the town’s upcoming Days Gap.
“Through the general fund budget this past year, there were tourism grants set up to attract people to rural areas of Alabama for local tourist events,” said Sen. Greg Reed, who was instrumental in helping Oakman secure the grant funding.
“I was able to secure grants for several communities in my district, including the annual event in Oakman called Days Gap Festival, he said. “Locating funding for local communities as they promote themselves is something that is important to me.”
Days Gap is returning for the first time since 2019 after having been cancelled for the past two years due to Oakman. Town officials said this will be the “biggest Days Gap ever.”
The Kids Zone, something that is a priority to Mayor Cory Franks, will be expanded to include new activities as a result of the grant money.
“I’m excited for the new additions to the Kids Zone this year” said Franks. “There is a lady coming out of Cullman that will do balloon animals. We will also have someone from Arley that will be brining animals and doing pony rides.”
Be Still My Art, an art studio based out of Cordova owned by Lisa Allen, has taken part in recent Fourth of July events for Oakman, allowing children a chance to paint on canvas. Allen will be bringing the activity to Days Gap for the first time this year. The town said that art tent will be “big time” this year.
Franks said that he is committed to trying to always keep the kids activities at Days Gap free.
“This is a chance to spotlight the Town of Oakman and allow families to come out and have a good time without worrying about costs,” he said.
Lisa Wheeler, who works closely with Franks, said that the town has also applied for a grant from the Alabama Arts Council to apply toward this year’s Days Gap Festival.
In the past, the town has had up to 70 vendors for Days Gap, but Wheeler said she anticipates surpassing that number in 2022.
New-to-Walker County food trucks will also be there, including a Greek food truck out of Hamilton and Dip-N-Dots out of Florence.
Franks said that he is still working to finalize the musical lineup for Days Gap, but expects to be able to make an announcement soon.
Days Gap returns on October 21 and 22 in Oakman. Anyone interested in applying to be vendor can contact town hall at (205) 622-3232 or contact Wheeler directly at (205) 754-4838.
