SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Teens riding through town, casing their favorite hamburger joint. It was a scene played out in many an American small town. In Sylacauga, the route was along Fort Williams St. with detours around the Dairy Queen and The Frosty Inn, and every year for as long as most care to remember, that scene lives on with the annual Frosty Inn Reunion in Central Park.
That salutation, “See you at the Frosty,” was a calling card for the youth of the era. Now, it means they’ll be at the annual Frosty Inn Reunion and expect the others to grace the occasion with their presence.
Those that gather in the park are the same ones that created and paid for a plaque that graces the corner of Fort Williams and Elm.
Thanks to Catherine and Frank McCaa, the family that owned and operated The Frosty Inn, it was where young folks were treated like family, with the McCaa family providing a place to spend the wonderful days and nights of our youth.
Mrs. McCaa herself came to the Frosty reunions and served as Grand Marshall for a lap-around-town Frosty Reunion recreations. Mrs. McCaa continued come to the reunions until her death at age 98 in 2021. Now, her son, Duke McCaa, represents the family.
The Frosty Inn was a place of fun where lifelong friendships were made, victories celebrated, losses consoled, and newcomers welcomed.
Become a teenager again for a few hours on Saturday, April 26 at this year’s reunion, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. until around 3:00 p.m. as a “come and go” event, just like the good old days.
Don’t forget to bring your appetite, as “Mole” Humphries will delight visitors with another fond and tasty memory – free barbecue, served with the historic sauce made famous by the Old Hickory. Music will be provided by retired Sylacauga and Birmingham DJ Barry McAnnally, a.k.a. Joey Roberts, who is back “on-the-air” daily on the new, old WSGN 98.3.
If you’re up later that night, the Sylacauga High School Class of 1975 will celebrate its 50-year reunion at Harvey’s on Noble. Friends are invited to “crash the party” after 8:00 p.m.
