Decades of Maplesville history will be on display for multiple generations of residents to enjoy at the town’s annual Heritage Day on Saturday, April 14.

Current and former residents and visitors are invited to attend the free downtown street festival celebrating Maplesville heritage from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We want folks to come and enjoy the day,” said Clem Clapp, a Maplesville resident. “It should be just a nice, easy day. The last two we’ve had, we’ve had a lot of people that no longer live here to come back.”

Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic as more than 50 vendors line the street with booths featuring arts and crafts, plants for sale, food items and various wares.

The town library will hold a quilt display, and an old car display and musical entertainment will be outside.

“Wayne Arnold will also host his ever-popular ‘War between the States’ display and dialogue in one of the depot waiting rooms while the Maplesville jistory video continuously plays in the freight room,” Clapp said. “Wayne has been an aficionado of the Battle of Ebenezer Church since he was a teenager. He’s done lots of research, and he’s a voracious reader of that local history.”

Clapp said Arnold’s presentation details how militiamen moved through Maplesville on their way to Selma during the war.

Arnold will have relics to show from the area in that time period.

“He’s really entertaining,” Clapp said of Arnold. “History can be a pretty tedious subject if you’re not careful, but Wayne really brings it to life.”

Biographical sketches will accompany more than 100 historical photos in the depot museum, and Maplesville United Methodist Church will be open for viewing.

“Last year, we had between 50 and 60 vendors,” Clapp said. “What we’re working toward is arts and crafts. The vendor spots are real inexpensive, and we’re hoping they’ll showcase local talent.”

Clapp said vendors should call Maplesville Town Hall at (334) 366-4212 for applications or other information.

“We’re hoping to have a good variety,” he said. “I think that will kind of help add to the day.”