Pinson festival revived as ‘Butterbean Days’ through new chamber partnership

PINSON, Ala. (WBRC) - The Alabama Butterbean Festival will return this fall under a new name and new management after city leaders approved a partnership with the North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

The Pinson City Council approved the agreement Thursday night, weeks after original organizers announced the festival would end following a funding dispute. The rebranded event, now called “Butterbean Days,” is scheduled for Oct. 2-3.

“The community wanted an event. And so we’re so excited to be able to give that to them,” said Heather Lebischak, president and CEO of the North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber will handle funding and sponsorships for the two-day event, which will feature local vendors, food and entertainment.

“It’s obviously going to be all things bean. We are leaning heavy into the bean puns,” Lebischak said.

Vendor registration opened following the council’s approval, and businesses have responded quickly.

“Vendor registration is also live right now. We probably have, I probably have 50 applications in my inbox right now,” Lebischak said.

The chamber aims to create a sustainable event that benefits participating vendors.

“When we have vendors there, we want them selling out. We want them to clear their space. We want them to have the most successful weekend possible. So they keep coming back each year and they’re waiting in line to sign up year after year,” Lebischak said.

The Alabama Butterbean Festival ran for 20 years before organizers announced its cancellation earlier this month.

“The outpouring of support from the Pinson community has truly been mind blowing to both me and my board,” Lebischak said.

The city of Pinson said it is excited for the new partnership, adding “great things are on the horizon.”

For details and vendor registration information, click or tap here.

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