After 20 years, the Alabama Butterbean Festival is no more, according to a recent announcement on their website.
Since 2006, the Alabama Butter Bean Festival has brought people to Pinson to celebrate the butterbean and take part in family-friendly attractions.
“What began as a small community gathering grew into a beloved tradition that brought together friends, families, vendors, and visitors from near and far,” a representative of the Butterbean Festival said in a Facebook post.
“We are deeply grateful for every sponsor who believed in us, every vendor who shared their craft, and every attendee who showed up year after year to celebrate with us.”
sFor two decades, thousands of people have flocked to downtown Pinon for the annual event,a weekend of live music, carnival rides, fair food, car shows, petting zoos, and, of course, butterbeans.
The Alabama Butterbean Festival was one of the largest in the Southeast, and in 2010 it was recognized. The Guinness organization documented that year that the Alabama Butterbean Festival set the world record for cooking the largest pot of baked beans at 1,010.65 gallons.
Supporters say they are disappointed about the end of the festival after years of making memories.
“As a vendor of almost 11 years doing the butterbean festival, this breaks my heart,” Charisse Williams said in a Facebook comment. “This was the signature for Pinson. Thank you for the wonderful years!
“Oh my goodness! I’ve been to every BB festival with my kids since the first one! My oldest was lil mr. BB in 2007 or 8 can’t remember! This was a family tradition for us,” Michelle Tyler wrote.
“This is heartbreaking. My family has loved going. Please don’t go,” Christy Harvey commented.
One commenter called the news “devastating.”
AL.com reached out to Alabama Butterbean Festival organizers and the Clay Pinson Chamber of Commerce, but did not receive a response prior to publishing.
“Your support, laughter, and love made this festival what it was—and those memories will always be a part of Pinson’s story,” the Butterbean Festival spokesperson said in a Facebook post.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for 20 unforgettable years.”