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LaFAYETTE — Valley Haven school officials and supporters are hoping for some good weather for next Saturday’s LaFayette Day. They are due for some beautiful weather on Saturday, April 13th, the date for this portion of the Hike/Bike/Run fundraiser for Valley Haven.

“We are praying for good weather for LaFayette Day, and the long-range forecast is encouraging,” said Valley Haven Executive Director Craig Brown. “They are predicting fair skies and temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees. It would be great if we could have a day like that.”

The Covid shutdown canceled LaFayette Day in 2020. Stormy weather has caused either a cancellation or postponement for the past two years.

It will be taking place on Courthouse Square from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. CDT (10-4 Eastern). Chambers County Probate Judge Paul Story will be providing the sound system and serving as the emcee. Live entertainment will be taking place throughout the day on a stage that will be set up near the east side entrance to the courthouse.

“I’m sure people will enjoy the entertainment,” Brown said. “We will have several local gospel groups. The Holloways and the Drakes will be there once again. They have been singing for us on LaFayette Day for a long time. We’ll also have a group from Abanda. Charlie Hughes, a principal and coach from Beauregard, will be singing that Saturday as will Matthew Allen. We are pleased with the lineup we will have this year.”

More than 30 arts and crafts and food vendors will be there this year. Randy Morgan will be manning the barbecue booth. For years his dad, the late James C. Morgan, was well known for his prowess as a cook and Randy is carrying on the family tradition. A number of other food booths and food trucks will be set up just outside the courthouse.

“We will have a kids’ zone with all kinds of jumpers,” Brown said. “We will have bouncy houses, an obstacle course and a giant slide. The kids always love taking this on.”

A classic car show is always a popular feature of LaFayette Day. Another one will be taking place this year. Visitors are welcome to stroll by the classic vehicles on display and strike up conversations with the owners of the cars.

Another popular event on LaFayette Day is the Hike/Bike/Run Motorcycle Ride. It will be getting underway at around 10:30 a.m. EDT next to Greene’s Super Drugs in Lanett. The bikes will start out at the Alabama-Georgia state line on Highway 29 and head south toward Opelika. The big group of riders will be getting police escorts along the way. In Lee County, they will turn onto Andrews Road and head toward the campus of Southern Union State Community College, where they will take a right onto US 431 and head past Opelika High School back into Chambers County and continue on to LaFayette, where the bikers can enjoy the food and refreshments being served at LaFayette Day.

The annual Valley Haven Auction will be taking place at the school on the evening of Friday, April 26. The Hike/Bike/Run will be taking place on Saturday, May 4th.

The fundraising goal of this year’s Hike/Bike/Run is $100,000. At one point that goal was exceeded for more than 30 years in a row. Covid was a problem for a few years, and bad weather on LaFayette Day didn’t help. Things are getting back to normal, and the $100,000 goal looks attainable once more.