SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Downtown Sylacauga came alive Thursday night as the first Oktoberfest was held by Sylacauga Young Professionals.
Hundreds came to the event, which took place behind Fermenter’s, to support the Sylacauga Animal Shelter.
“It’s something we have been tossing around for years and it’s finally come to fruition,” said Summer Newman Ernest, vice president of SYP. “We just started this fall to have monthly meetings and we have turned it more into social events as well as networking and and connecting.
Thursday night, the Spring Street Band performed classic rock hits while people relaxed in lawn chairs, ate, drank, and socialized. Admission to the event was free if attendees donated goods to the Sylacauga Animal Shelter.
“It’s an opportunity for people to get out and enjoy one another,” said Ernest.
“I’m very supportive of the Young Professionals group,” said executive director of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce Mike Landers. “We hope that we can partner with them as the Chamber of Commerce to develop further strength in our young people to get more involved in the business community and more involved in the activities of the Chamber and more active in the revitalization of downtown.”
Ernest said SYP’s mission has more than one purpose.
“Obviously to connect with other young people,” said Ernest. “We wanted to make sure it was something different than Rotary and Kiwanis. We meet at night…We all have the same vision of promoting Sylacauga and making it a wonderful place to raise our young people, to work here, and try to keep people networking so we can support these young business owners.”
“I think it’s the beginning of a movement,” said Landers. “This is a model. It’s been tested in other cities. The Young Professionals is a group that has done well in many cities larger than ours and I think that with the support they have, under the leadership of Rocky Lucas and Summer Newman Ernest, it’s only headed upward.”
The SYP delivered two truckloads of supplies and $150 the Sylacauga Animal Shelter.
Ernest told SylacaugaNews.com events are already planned for November and December.
Michael Brannon for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2016, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.