December 2, 2016 – Friday
Since 1972, the small town of Demopolis, has been celebrating “Christmas on the River” with a nighttime parade of boats decorated for Christmas and fireworks. This small festival is now a five-day event that averages about 40,000 people. In 2013, A&E television named Demopolis the #5 Ultimate Holiday Town in the USA. Our first stop, Gaineswood.
Christmas in the Canebrake – Three historical antebellum homes, featuring 19th-century-style-holiday decorations of fresh fruit and greenery gave candlelight tours and local talent filled the air with the sounds of the Christmas season.
Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-off – After our Gaineswood tour, we stopped for a little BBQ from the Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-off. This event became part of “Christmas on the River” in 1989, Friday’s event was the party portion. For an entry fee of five dollars, you could eat all the BBQ, chili, & gumbo your heart desired, meet with family & friends and dance the night away. The competition cooking took place after the rest of us were snug in our beds and was judged on Saturday.
There are over 40 competing teams, 48 judges, and many BBQ connoisseurs, including Rick and I.
Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-off Winners
Grand Champion: House of Q
Reserve Champion: Smokin’ Triggers
December 3, 2016 – Saturday
We walked into town, in the rain, checked out the goodies at the Fair on the Square (arts and crafts show) and the annual Christmas Parade.
Fair on the Square and Christmas Parade
Nautical Parade & Fireworks:
Saturday evening we braved the cold and rain to watch the Nautical Parade by the river. Between the dark, rain, and movement of the floats on the water, pictures were nearly impossible.
