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By: Donnamy Steele

The Opp Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2020 Opp Homecoming Downtown Get Down on Fri., Oct. 16. Executive Administrator Kelly Brandin said the event will take place in historical downtown Opp on Main Street.

“We’re having Homecoming Downtown Get Down and we’ll have entertainment by the band No Surrender,” Brandin said. “We are going to shut down one city block between Covington Ave. and Hart Ave and we are going to have vendors ranging from food to boutique clothes and jewelry. There will be a few vendors who are just passing out information pamphlets as well.”

Brandin said the event will begin at 9:00 p.m., but people can arrive early to get their seats.

“We are asking people to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and also asking that some of the businesses downtown stay open later for people to come through and shop,” Brandin said. “It will be good family fun.”

The event was originally supposed to be a series of events throughout the summer months, Brandin explained.

“The chamber board had voted to have it throughout the summer months, May through August. We started doing this last year,” Brandin said. “Our intentions were to have four events in 2020, but COVID put a hitch in our plans.”

Masks are not required at the event, but Brandin encourages attendees to abide by the state’s guidelines.

“While the Opp chamber of commerce is truly excited about the Homecoming Downtown Get Down, we want everybody to be cognizant of Governor Ivey’s mandate and guidelines regarding COVID-19,” Brandin said. “We’re feeling it’s a bit safer now to have outdoor gatherings, but also encouraging people, especially if they have underlying conditions, to wear masks and practice social distancing.”

Brandin encourages everyone to attend the event and see what the local businesses have to offer on Oct. 16.

“There is no fee to attend this event. It is free and open to the general public,” Brandin said. “We are asking that patrons visit the vendors and any businesses that may be open, and we will also have free popcorn.”