Local group Mother Moonpie will kick things off on Saturday

Sounds and Sirens this weekend

By Michael Butler

An old tradition is being renewed with a new name. Many will remember the "Street Dance" of days gone by in downtown Tallassee. Its run ended years back, but it sparked interest to start a new type of concert in the downtown Tallassee area.

Sounds and Sirens will be on Saturday, April 27 from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. on South Ann Avenue.

"It's going to be the same thing as that really," said Tallassee Fire Department Chief Eric Jones, whose department is working with neighboring Friendship Fire Department in putting on the event that he hopes will become an annual get-together just like the street dance was.

Downtown has a new look as well with the streetscape project near completion.

"The Chamber of Commerce came to us and said, 'hey let's get people back downtown,'" said Jones. "We tried a couple of times at our training center. It rained."

The forecast is for clear skies this weekend.

"We're using it as a fundraiser. We've had really great support."

The partnership with Tallassee and Friendship will benefit both fire departments.

"We're one department," Jones added. "They come to us. We go to them."

Equipment costs continue to rise, so the monies raised will go to good use.

"It's up 300 to 400 percent on some stuff," Jones pointed out.

Toby Ward of the Friendship Fire Department reiterated Jones' sentiments of the cohesion between the two groups.

"I feel that we've got a better relationship than we've had in a very long time," said Ward. "We've got some great guys in both departments."

Live music will be provided by artists Brandon Jordan, Mother Moonpie and Jessie Wilson. Food trucks will also be on site.

"You'll be able to bring your coolers, chairs, no glass bottles," Jones noted. "Mother Moonpie, which is Todd Gantt and Heather Taylor, will kick off the night at 5:30. It's going to be a good mixture."

Tickets are $20 per person. Kids 12 and under get in free. A pre-purchase option is available through the TFD Facebook page.

"If we have good support, we're already looking to next year, possibly moving forward with it and making it bigger every year," Jones concluded.