OHATCHEE, AL — The Ohatchee Town Council discussed plans to welcome participants in the Great Alabama 650 paddle race, reviewed preparations for the town’s Safe Halloween event and approved the use of a municipal facility for an elementary school fundraiser during its Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting.
During the work session, Calhoun County Tourism Director Cher Delaney spoke with council members about the Great Alabama 650, a 650-mile paddle race that begins at Weiss Lake and ends at Mobile Bay.
Ohatchee serves as a mandatory stop along the route, with competitors required to leave the water near Neely Henry Lake and remain at the portage for at least 45 minutes. Delaney said the stop provides an opportunity to promote Ohatchee and the surrounding area to participants, support crews and race organizers from across the country.
The race is scheduled to begin during the first weekend in October. The fastest competitors could arrive in Ohatchee late Saturday night, Oct. 3, while others may reach the stop Sunday morning.
Council members and Delaney discussed providing additional lighting near the portage, bottled water, light refreshments and small promotional items for the competitors. Officials also discussed attending the race’s kickoff dinner and including information about Ohatchee and Calhoun County in participant welcome bags.
Delaney said race organizers were pleased to learn that Ohatchee was interested in formally welcoming the participants. She said the event could bring additional media attention and introduce visitors to the community.
The council also reviewed preparations for the town’s annual Safe Halloween event. Officials said approximately 2,800 children were counted at one distribution table during the previous year’s event, with total attendance estimated at between 5,000 and 8,000 people when parents and other family members were included.
Organizers are working to secure approximately 10 to 15 food, beverage and dessert vendors. Several returning vendors have expressed interest, while additional pizza, hot dog, snow cone and cotton candy vendors are being contacted.
The town is considering increasing the number of inflatables from two to four. Officials also discussed tables and chairs, music, costumed characters and the possibility of using local high school students to provide face painting and other activities.
During the regular meeting, the council unanimously approved the minutes from its Aug. 11 meeting.
The council also approved allowing an elementary school parent organization to use a town facility for a car show fundraiser scheduled for Nov. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. The request indicated the event could also include food vendors, other vendors and door prizes. The approval was limited to use of the property, with any additional requests to be presented to the council later.
A resident also raised concerns about the quality of recent roadside grass cutting. Town officials said crews had initially concentrated on clearing trees, brush and other visibility hazards and planned to return in September for additional mowing.
Officials said the town’s new equipment is being used to address roadsides throughout Ohatchee, including areas that had not been regularly maintained in previous years.
The discussion later turned to road paving and repairs. Town officials said complete paving projects remain financially difficult, with estimated costs ranging from approximately $550,000 per mile for resurfacing to about $750,000 per mile when extensive repairs are also required.
The town has approximately $600,000 available for paving work and is coordinating with Calhoun County on targeted repairs. Officials said the town is preparing for additional work in the spring and that several damaged locations are currently being evaluated.
Town officials also reported that Ohatchee may qualify for a no-match grant to improve Big Oak Road and Harts Ferry Road because the roads connect with Alabama 77. The grant application process is expected to take place during the winter.
