SPANISH FORT, Alabama— A memorable day for Spanish Fort will take place tomorrow when the Delta Woods and Waters Expo opens to the public, followed by a big party afterwards, celebrating the city’s 20th birthday.

For the past two days, the 5th annual Delta Woods and Waters Expo has hosted groups of students at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort. The Expo opens to the public tomorrow and boasts over 20 interactive exhibits and presentations that will focus on wildlife, hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor life.

At Bartram Landing, located near the main buildings, there will be wooden boats on display, kayak sprint races, and pedal boat sprint races. Also at Bartram Landing will be 30-minute narrated boat tours of the Delta on board one of the Delta Safari’s tour boats.

While most presenters will be sharing their exhibits throughout the day, there will be four special shows at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. These will be the Foley Intermediate School Archery team, raptors from the Environmental Center in Mobile, a snake show and the Delta Entomology (bug) Talk.

Other exhibits will include a marine touch tank, retrieving dogs, turkey calling, hand-spun yarn and fly-tying. Dr. John Hall, curator of the Black Belt Museum in Livingston, Ala., will be portraying the famous botanist William Bartram, who explored this delta area by canoe many years ago.

Lunch will be for sale from Viper Barbecue at the Expo.

“I think that the planning committee has done a great job in finding really interesting presenters and exhibits related to the Delta so that there is a good variety of things to see and do,” Delta Woods and Waters Expo Committee Chair Carolyn Walthall said. “I would like to emphasize that this array of activities at 5 Rivers is presented to the community by the city of Spanish Fort as its annual festival to celebrate the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and because of the tremendous support of area businesses, the generosity of 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, the hard work of the staff at City Hall, including Spanish Fort Fire and Rescue, the scores of volunteers who plan and implement the Expo, and of course, the presenters who come back year after year to share their expertise and enthusiasm for nature. The city of Spanish Fort offers this three-day event without an admission charge.”

The Expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

City celebrates 20 years

Don’t get too full of barbecue at the Expo though because tomorrow night the city will be hosting its 20th birthday party for citizens.

“This is a chance to really honor the people who brought us to where we are today,” Mayor Mike McMillan said. “It’s really going to a celebration of our city, the City of Spirit. I feel our residents really do enjoy living in Spanish Fort. We have a great group of constituents who love where they live. That’s something special. You just don’t see that every day.”

Spanish Fort became a city in July 1993 and has since grown to have nearly 7,000 residents.

The 20th anniversary party will include barbecue and baked beans and a performance from the Spanish Fort High School Jazz Band. There will also be speakers and a presentation to talk about the history of the city.

“I feel honored that first of all that I was elected. I feel honored to serve the city that is such a great place to live and has such a bright future in front of it,” McMillan said. “I feel so fortunate to be in this position to help guide the city for the next four years.”

The barbecue will take place from 6 – 8 p.m.