Hartselle’s Depot Days Festival Rolls into Town Sept. 19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org

All Aboard for a Day of Free Family Fun
Hartselle’s Depot Days Festival Rolls into Town Sept. 19

Decatur, Ala. (August 7, 2026) – The Depot Days Festival rolls into Hartselle September 19, 2026, bringing a day of family-friendly fun and entertainment to the historic train depot and downtown district. Hosted by the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Decatur Morgan Hospital, the free festival is the city’s largest annual event and celebrates the city's railroad heritage and the lasting impact of the railroad industry on Hartselle and North Alabama.

Now in its 46^thyear, the Depot Days Festival begins at 8 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m., offering activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Festivalgoers can browse original artwork from local artists, shop unique handmade crafts from more than 200 vendors, enjoy delicious offerings from food vendors and food trucks, admire the annual car show and experience live entertainment throughout the day. There will also be a cornhole tournament and live music throughout the day.

Families are encouraged to visit the Kids Station at the Hartselle Farmers Market. This shaded, family-friendly area features inflatables, games, crafts, face painting, and other activities designed especially for children.

Held annually on the third Saturday in September, the Depot Days Festival takes place at 110 Railroad Street SW and throughout historic downtown Hartselle. Festival hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free.

For a complete schedule of events, vendor information, race registration, and festival updates, visit www.hartsellechamber.com/depot-days and follow Depot Days Hartselle and Visit Decatur AL on social media or call the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce at (256) 773-4370.

The City of Hartselle was established in 1870 at a strategic location along the South and North Alabama Railroad (later the Louisville & Nashville Railroad), which connected Alabama's mineral-rich regions with major shipping centers across North Alabama. Today, that railroad legacy continues to be celebrated through the annual Depot Days Festival, one of North Alabama's longest-running community festivals. For more information on the history of Hartselle, Ala., visit https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/hartselle/.

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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
The official destination marketing organization for Visit North Alabama, AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.9 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of attractions, festivals, accommodations, chambers of commerce, convention & visitors bureaus, communities, campgrounds, golf courses, restaurants, local retailers and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.