By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

As a means of celebrating Valentine’s Day and the city of Montevallo’s recent progress, the City of Montevallo and Montevallo Main Street are partnering to host Love Montevallo Day on Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“This event [is] just a brainchild of dedicating Main Street and honoring those people that we’ve lost this year and promoting some shopping,” Cindy Holsombeck, executive director of Montevallo Main Street, said.

Additionally, Holsombeck said Montevallo will have many visitors in town for the University of Montevallo’s College Night, and seeks to “give them something to do in-between their activities on campus.”

Festivities will kick off with a LifeSouth Community Blood Centers blood drive opening at 9:30 a.m. The drive will conclude at 2 p.m.

Plans for the fun-filled day include raffle drawings of merchandise from local businesses, live music from JQ’s One Man Big Band and food from The Great American Hot Dog Stand.

Holsombeck said several “pocket parks” will be dedicated with separate ceremonies following an 11 a.m. Streetscape dedication memorializing former Mayor Ben McCrory.

The dedication ceremony will take place in front of University of Montevallo on Main.

At the same location, Owl’s Cover Park will be dedicated with a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Holsombeck said most activities will be centered in this area.

At 1 p.m. in front of Main Street Tavern, the city will dedicate Montevallo’s Bicentennial Park in memory of Junnie Craig, Dr. Earl Cunningham and Attorney Mitchell Spears.

“It will have the city clock there that has not been completed yet, so that won’t be dedicated on this event,” Holsombeck said.

From 2 to 6 p.m., shoppers can enjoy Mugs and Kisses Shopping on Main.

“We’re selling mugs for $5 that are filled with coupons and specials that our businesses are running,” Holsombeck said. “You take your mug in, and you might get a cup of hot tea or coffee or hot chocolate from the business.”

Coupons can then be used for special deals inside the stores.

Raffle prize winners will be drawn at 6 p.m. at Bradford Realty.

Love Montevallo Day hopes to draw families from both inside and outside the Montevallo community.

“We welcome everybody — everybody who lives in Montevallo, has ever lived in Montevallo, who has never visited Montevallo, and one of our sister cities,” Holsombeck said. “We’d love for everybody just to stop by on that day.”

For a full schedule of activities, check out the Montevallo Main Street Facebook page.