‘A lot of pride for growing’; Master Gardeners, Lions Club continue tradition of agricultural fairs

Published 5:24 am Saturday, October 18, 2025

When the Cullman County Fair made its debut in 1953, it was considered standard practice for similar festivals and events to include a heavy focus on the local agricultural scene. However, Master Gardener and Lions Club member Brad Mitchell said that today, more than 75 years later, Cullman is one of the last stewards of the tradition.

“We are one of only eight agricultural fairs left in the state,” Mitchell said. “It used to be that every county fair had cows and produce and things like that. Not anymore.

But Mitchell said the Cullman County Master Gardeners weren’t just satisfied with maintaining the agricultural focus of this year’s fair. By partnering with the Cullman Lions Club and participating in the produce exhibit, they are looking to enhance the experience.

You may come to gaze upon the giant pumpkins — this year’s winner easily surpassed the 500 pound mark — but Mitchell said he is hoping that you leave with a better understanding of where local produce actually comes from and the amount of dedication and passion local farmers put into growing their food.

“There is a lot of pride for growing this produce,” he said.

Mitchell and other Master Gardeners were be on-site each day during the fair to educate visitors on the process of how each item is grown and offer advice on how they can start their own garden. The group has even displayed its own easy-to-replicate container garden using mostly five gallon buckets to show anyone is capable of growing high quality produce.

The exhibit now features a wider array of displays and categories to appeal to a broader scope of competitors. Mitchell said the recent addition of the scarecrow competition has been a success among local businesses and non-profit groups and the new pumpkin painting and market baskets competitions — a showcase of at least five locally grown items — have been just as successful.

Mitchell’s fellow Lions Club member Cindy Pinyanyan was strolling through the exhibit hall admiring the displays on Thursday morning.

“You wouldn’t even know that it’s a pumpkin that is so cool. I love it,” Pinyanyan said while pointing to a pumpkin resembling a hedgehog.

“Brad has just outdone himself with this building. It’s really brought the whole building to life. I used to walk through just to see what was in here and you’d see vegetables and walk out. Now you come in and it’s like walking through an art gallery.