In Marion County, annual festivals, local histories, and striking landscape features come together. Hamilton pairs an art festival in March with a fall festival; Winfield makes its mark with Mule Day and the restored Pastime Theatre. There is also a lake north of Guin and historic sites whose stories range from medicine and mining to early mound structures. These varied destinations offer several ways to explore the county’s history and way of life.

Festivals in Hamilton and Winfield

The Jerry Brown Arts Festival takes place annually on the first weekend in March. It is an indoor, juried art festival and honors Jerry Brown, a Hamilton-based potter associated with the Smithsonian Institution. The festival thus combines its art program with a tribute to an artist from Hamilton.

The Buttahatchee River Fall Fest takes place every year on the last Saturday in October in downtown Hamilton; food is also part of the offerings. If you plan to travel for one of the festivals, check the specific date for that year.

Mule Day in Winfield features a mule show, arts and crafts booths, live music, and food vendors, as well as a 5K run, parade, car show, antique tractors, and disc golf. Organizers estimate annual attendance at 25,000 to 30,000. This figure is an estimate, and individual program items may change.

Buildings and History

The Pastime Theatre in Winfield was built in 1937 and restored in 2002. It has 317 seats and is accessible. The Johnson Rural Medical Museum in Hamilton dates to around 1902 and is listed for its social history significance. The two places highlight different aspects of the past: a theater with a long architectural history, and a museum with a social history connection.

Homes and commerce are also part of the local histories passed down over time. The Hamilton-Sullins House is the historic home of Captain A. J. Hamilton and was built in 1875. The historic R.W. Harris General Store is located in Winfield, Marion County. In Brilliant, meanwhile, the town developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries around coal mining.

The three Hamilton Mounds are on the left bank of the Buttahatchee River. Archaeologists believe they were built during the Early Mississippian period. Pearce’s Mill was built on the Buttahatchee River in the 1840s. In the abandoned town of Pikeville, visitors can see the old courthouse, a Civil War cemetery, the grave of an unknown soldier from the War of 1812, and remnants of Andrew Jackson’s Military Road.

Lake, River, and Practical Information

Marion County State Public Fishing Lake covers 37 acres and is located six miles north of Guin on U.S. Highway 43. It is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and crappie; the lake also has a boat ramp. The lake is currently closed for renovations, and fishing is not possible during the closure. Check the current status before planning a visit.

The Sam R. Murphy Wildlife Management Area covers 25,150 acres and is used for hunting. In Guin, the Water Park has swimming pools and a water slide. Check the water park’s seasonal operating hours before traveling.

Jerry Brown Pottery is located at 166 Boyett Drive in Hamilton. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday visits are by appointment only. Check the opening hours before your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Guin, Conecuh County, Houston, Jefferson, Colbert County, Cullman County, Lauderdale County, Cleburne

For the broader travel overview: Alabama.