Velcro Pygmies ‘Tune-Up’ Trussville for this weekend’s return of Dog Daze

By Crystal McGough, Editor

TRUSSVILLE – Dog Daze, hosted by the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, will return to the Historic Mall in Trussville this Saturday, Sept. 16, with vendor booths, festivities and giveaways for the whole family. The free, public event will last from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“Trussville Dog Daze is a fun, family event … and the admission is free,” the chamber states on its website. “So much going on including kids’ activities, vendors, food trucks, art walk, cornhole tournament and lots of entertainment. Make plans to visit Dog Daze on September 16, it is a day you will not want to miss!”

The Dog Daze excitement kicked off last weekend on Saturday, Sept 2, with a free concert by the Velcro Pygmies at the Trussville Entertainment District.

The Velcro Pygmies, who describe themselves as “high energy rock,” have been a fan-favorite heavy metal cover band since 1990, and this performance did not disappoint.

The “Tune-Up for Dog Daze” event opened with local singer Ethan Womack before the Velcro Pygmies took the stage to an Entertainment District that was packed with both old and new fans rocking out and hoping for a chance to touch the hand of one of their favorite Pigmies.

On more than one occasion, guitarist Chase West left the stage and joined the crowd, performing on top of one of the picnic tables in the grassy area in front of the stage.

Frontman Cameron Flener took an opportunity later in the show to hand the stage over to students who have gone through the Velcro Pygmies’ Reach and Teach program, a nonprofit program where the band performs concerts at high schools that were planned and promoted by the students. These inspired teenagers formed a band of their own and performed live for the audience at the “Tune Up” event.

Velcro Pygmies guitarist Chase West entertains fans on top of a picnic table at the TED (Credit: Crystal McGough)

“This was the most important part of the night,” Flener said. “This is where we hand the torch to the next generation to take music where it needs to be.”

Now that the community has been properly “tuned up,” the public is invited this weekend to continue the celebration at the Historic Trussville Mall with the return of Dog Daze (formerly Trussville City Fest).

Those who have been around the Trussville community for a while will likely remember the original Dog Daze festivals held annually at the Mall off North Chalkville Road. Named after the “dog days” of summer, which according to the Farmer’s Almanac is considered to be a 40-day period of excessive heat lasting from July 3 – Aug. 11, the festival was originally held each year in August.

Over the years the dates were changed due to the heat, and in 2013, the name of the festival was changed to Trussville City Fest. The location also changed, moving from the grassy Mall to stretching all the way down Parkway Drive from Main Street to Cahaba Elementary.

In July, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce announced that they were officially “Bringing it Back” to its original location and name: Dog Daze.

Throughout the day Saturday, patrons are invited to visit the Fresh Farmer’s Market at Holy Cross Church, and then head over to the Mall where they will find various booths and vendors, in addition to a wellness area, food court, a car show, and the Bryant Bank Kid’s Area, featuring a foam dance party, balloon animals and face painting, and lots of other family activities.

(Credit: trussvillechamber.com)

Fun Source will provide a Kid’s Zone with rides and inflatables, and unlimited-rides wristbands will be available for $25 cash, a portion of which will go back to the Trussville Chamber’s Scholarship fund.

Pet Supplies Plus will be holding its annual “Pup Strut” dog show on the stage at the mall, with registration being held the morning of the event at the Cahaba Dog Park tent.

“You and your pup will not want to miss out on being a part of this year’s pup strut,” the Chamber website states. “All money raised will benefit this great organization.”

Visitors should also be sure to stop by the Central Hub to stay informed and make sure they don’t miss out on any of the exciting activities.

“Come be a part of this great festival,” the chamber stated. “There will be plenty of food, fun, booth vendors, kids’ activities, live entertainment, car show, touch that truck, pup strut and much, much more! And be sure to pick up one of the official Dog Daze T-shirts with this year’s great design for only $15!”

Brown Automotive is the presenting sponsor for Trussville Dog Daze. Other sponsors for this year’s festival include Courtesy Buick GMC, Bryant Bank, AmFirst Credit Union, Birmingham Coca-Cola, Ascension St. Vincent’s and Grandview Medical Center/Freestanding ER, Voigt-Abernathy Company, Pet Supplies Plus, Aire Serv, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens, BBB of Central & South Alabama, Wilbur’s, WZZK, Trussville To Go, APCO Employees Credit Union and SouthPoint Bank.

For more information, visit www.trussvillechamber.com or call the chamber office at (205) 655-7535.