Last Updated on September 1, 2022 by Left Lane
Looking for some fun Fall day activities. We discovered the Oneonta, Alabama Covered Bridge Festival. We actually came across the festival by watching the weather in Alabama on ABC 33/40. When their Chief Meteorologist James Spann first mentioned the Oneonta Covered Bridge Festival during a television broadcast.
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Using different websites (Like This One) we quickly figured out the Covered Bridge Festival would be having numerous activities. Including: Live Music, Multiple Food Booths, Arts and Crafts sale, T-Shirts, a Pancake Breakfast, and a riverwalk hike and picnic.
The website included the address for the meet up point, and time to arrive for the Riverwalk Hike. My partner, and I packed our lunches, grabbed some Gatorade, and bottled waters. Put on our good hiking boots, and hit the road for Oneonta Alabama.
A Little Bridge History
Our meet up point was the parking lot of a local gas station. Which gave us a chance to grab some snacks for the picnic. After our 9:30a.m meet up with the hiking group. We carpooled, and followed each other out to where the Hike would began at the Swann Covered Bridge.
It’s 324’ Feet Long, and 9’ Feet Wide. It can safely allow the crossing of 1 vehicle at a time, so long as the vehicle is under 8’ Feet Tall, with a 6000 Pound Max Weight Limit (or 3 Tons)
Let’s do Some Hiking
Want to know more about Tuscaloosa, and the Black Warrior River? Check out my other Article: RIGHT HERE
On the morning of our hike, the weather wasn’t perfect. It was Cold, with a constant drizzle of light rain. Being around a 40 min walk out to the Picnic area for hike.
Walking through wet underbrush, crossing a small stream, and catching constant leaf drip from the trees above. Everyone in our group was wet by the time we arrived at the trails end.
Once everyone who came together for the picnic finished eating. We all took a few group photos.
Conservation, and Environmental Cleanup
This hike was more then just a casual pleasure hike, or exercise hike through the woods. Members of the Friends of the Locust Fork River organized this hike as part of a keep the river clean program.
Being one of the longest Free Flowing (meaning Undammed) Rivers in Alabama. The Locust Fork River has a major impact on its surrounding environment.
For over 30 years, the Friends of the Locust Fork River have been protecting, and keeping the river clean. Through physical conservation, and by legally defending it against destructive industrial infrastructure harmful to the environment.
Through the efforts of people like the members of Friends of the Locust Fork River. They are ensuring that another generation will be able to enjoy this beautiful place in nature, just as it was intended to be… This photo was taken at the end of our clean up, showing the amount of garbage that was removed
Let’s Go To The Festival!
After leaving the hike, the group returned to Oneonta Alabama, to enjoy the rest of the Covered Bridge Festival. Shopping at the local merchant booths, and my personal favorite, hitting up the Food Booths.
If you like friendly people, good food, and live music. You should clear up your calendar for October, and catch the next covered Bridge Festival in Oneonta Alabama. You, and your family are bound to enjoy it!
Quick Trip To The Mall
Just in case we hadn’t done enough walking for the day. When we left the Festival we headed back to Downtown Hoover, and hit up the Riverchase Galleria Mall.
We happened across one more celebrity in the Mall as well, and as usual, we couldn’t turn down a photo opportunity 😂.
The Roving Gypsy
Thanks for reading my Travel Blog, I hope you enjoyed our Hiking Adventure through Nature, during the Covered Bridge Festival as much as we did. Like what you read, and want more, or have a suggestion for me? Follow, Share, and Comment to let me know.
