Festival Brings Thousands of Visitors to Mentone

It was a sunny day filled with arts, food, music, and good times as the town hosted its annual Mentone Fall Festival.

With an estimated crowd of between 3,000 and 4,000 people, the event drew visitors from across the region on the third Saturday of October. Some 80 vendors displayed everything from paintings and pottery to jewelry and wood-crafted items. A kids corner kept the young ones busy, along with an art show featuring the work of Valley Head students.

Music was a major feature of the event. In front of the main building on Moon Lake Campus, visitors enjoyed Mountain Hippie, Lisa Crow, The Vegetators, and Judy-Nicole Kirby. On the stage of the Shigley Amphitheater, the day began with Average Joe, followed by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame group Three on a String and singer-songwriter Pierce Pettis.

The festival serves as a fundraiser for the town, with proceeds going to preserve, maintain, and improve the historic school campus. Between sponsorships, vendor registration fees, parking fees, and festival T-shirt sales, this year’s festival raised over $45,000 before expenses.

Visitors had more to do in town beyond the Moon Lake Campus site. Businesses throughout town, including those at the Log Cabin Village and Moon Lake Trading Company, hosted music, food, and special events to create a festival atmosphere throughout Mentone.

“The festival is a cultural event, but it’s also an economic development driver for our community that relies so much on tourism,” says Mentone Mayor Rob Hammond. “It takes a massive effort on the part of our business owners, volunteers, and sponsors to make this weekend a success. We appreciate everyone’s efforts.”

Next year’s Mentone Fall Festival is set for Saturday, October 17, 2026.