As part of the Alabama Tourism Department's "Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns" the Heflin City Council, the Heflin Arts Council and Alabama Power Company are sponsoring Heflin Homecoming on May 28, 29 and 30.

The event is entitled "Come Back Home to Heflin — Return to Your Roots or Plant New Ones — Heflin, Alabama, 'A Great Place to Call Home.'"

Its' purpose is to showcase the good life in Heflin for those who will be returning to visit and for those who enjoy living in the Heflin area.

Area residents are given heads up that many visitors will be in town for that weekend.

The homecoming event begins on Friday afternoon with guest registration at Heflin City Hall followed by a homecoming reception beginning at 7 p.m. at the Heflin Arts Center and "Music in the Park" on Ross Street by local musicians beginning at 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 29 will showcase a vintage homecoming parade on Ross Street beginning at 10 a.m. to be followed by the unveiling of an historic monument and recognition of "Heflin Stars" at the Ross Street Park.

Saturday's ongoing activities will feature art gallery exhibits at the Heflin Arts Center by local artists and artists who have roots in Heflin; historical items displayed and historical photo displays at the Heflin Arts Center, the Casey Auditorium, the Cleburne County Courthouse, Heflin City Hall and the Lucile Morgan Library; self-guided tours of historic streets; writers' signings by Heflin authors and writers who have roots in the Heflin area; a crafts fair with displays by local and area crafts persons; a local Master Gardeners' plant sale; tours of the Cleburne County Courthouse, Heflin City Hall, former high school sites and other historic buildings; merchant displays of Heflin historical items; children's activities on Vickery Street featuring Dr. Lester Laminack; and concessions and foods from area vendors.

At 2 p.m. a cardboard boat race will be held at Lake Point Disc Golf Course at the end of Mountain Street.

At 4 p.m. there will be an all CCHS classes reunion at the Casey Auditorium sponsored by the CCHS Class of 1973 and Buster Miles Chevy/Ford.

Still later, beginning at 6 p.m, "Music in the Park' will feature former band director, Gary Harris and his band "Past Time" at the Ross Street Park.

On Sunday morning, May 30, visitors and residents will enjoy open house at area churches followed by a dramatic presentation telling the story of Heflin's history at 2 p.m. at Casey Auditorium.

Beginning at 3 p.m. the Cleburne Retired Educators Association will host open house at local schools, Cleburne County Elementary School, Cleburne County Middle School and Cleburne County High School.

As a culminating event of the Heflin Homecoming, the Cleburne County Historical Society will feature a Memorial Day Twilight Tour of Heflin City Cemetery with recognition of individuals who are part of Heflin's past.

This tour will begin at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday evening. Veterans' gravesites are to be decorated with American flags in honor of their service to their country and community.

Brochures with information for the weekend's activities are available at Heflin City Hall.