June Fling Enters Its 22 Year

June Fling hosted by Oneonta Business Association

Summertime in Oneonta is simply made better by the annual June Fling event hosted by the Oneonta Business Association (OBA). For 22 years, the OBA has brought the event to downtown Oneonta that boasts more than 100 booths visited by tens of thousands of visitors from Blount County and beyond.

"We are always blown away by how many people can fit on the streets of downtown Oneonta," says OBA president Greg Brown. "It's an amazing thing to see our community with so many locals coming together, but there's also an incredible number of visitors who visit from all over Alabama and even from other states."

In addition to the arts & crafts vendors that line their downtown street, located at 1st Avenue, the OBA also brings live music, food trucks, kid activities, a classic cruise-in and more to add to the popular outing. The all-day Saturday event is scheduled for June 8th from 9AM-4PM, but the festivities kick off on Friday, June 7th with Prelude to the Fling which features local musicians that evening including the Southern Holler Band.

When the main festival begins the morning of June 8th, June Fling arts and crafts vendors will range from handmade jewelry to pet treats to BBQ seasonings. A mixture of artisanal goods, local information, and specialty shops are of such variety that all visitors are sure to find something to purchase or learn about. But, don't forget about the amazing merchants that call downtown Oneonta their home every day. Local business owners will be open to welcome festival goers out of the heat and into their stores to continue their shopping experience.

"Our overall goal for June Fling is to promote our City, our local talent, and the amazing vendors that join us," says OBA board member Lisa Wester. "Festivals are special, and the OBA is honored to bring that kind of experience to our local community. I always look forward to a packed downtown street with such a thankful heart for the support that is shown year in and year out from our city officials, local organizations and the community as a whole."

June Fling continues to grow while the OBA keeps up. So what are their plans for the future?

"We want to serve our community and do it well," says Greg. "We have a lot of ideas that are on the table, and we are flexible with what others believe might work in the future. We love Oneonta, and we believe Oneonta offers something special. We have a unique feel in our little valley between the mountains. It's beautiful. The community is kind. And we are looking forward to welcoming the out-of-towners to our community during June Fling. There's no better time to visit,"

You can find more information about the Oneonta Business Association, the June Fling, and a full list of performers and vendors by visiting oneontabusinessassociation.com or following the OBA on Facebook.