Saturday’s 19th annual Williams Station Day proved to be a groovy celebration with something for everyone, young and old, to do.

Also celebrated this year as the Great Atmore Homecoming in correlation with the Alabama Department of Tourism’s year of “Small Towns and Downtowns,” the event drew thousands of visitors to historic Pensacola Avenue to enjoy the festivities as well as high school reunions.

“I think it went wonderful,” Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Vickery said. “I have never seen so many people smiling and hugging necks. Being that it was the Great Atmore Homecoming, it was a great feeling. It was the most perfect day.”

As for the thousands that flooded the streets to view the many arts and crafts booths as well as take part in the variety of festival foods and drinks available, Vickery said she could not have asked for better participation.

“I never know how to measure how many people were there, but some people have told me that it was the biggest crowd they have seen in a long time,” she said. “That’s very pleasing. The comments I have received have all been positive.”

The state of the economy played a factor in this year’s festival sales for vendors, but most have been feeling the pinch at all festivals.

“After going by and talking to the vendors, some of them told me that they had a great day and some of them had a slow day, depending on what they had to offer,” Vickery said. “They said it has been that way at most of the shows that they have been going to because of the economy. The economy does play a role in this.”

Headlining the festivals entertainment was the Kool Tools, which was a popular Atmore-based band from the mid-60s and early 70s. The oldies, but goodies drew a large crowd with toe-tapping tunes such as “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Brown-Eyed Girl,” “Pretty Woman” and “Day Tripper.” The band had festivalgoers on their feet dancing to the music as they belted out hit after hit. That evening, former residents and classmates, some who had not seen each other in more than 40 years, joined the band for a reunion show at the Atmore Area YMCA building, which served as the high school at that time.

“My feet are swollen and my knees hurt, I danced so much,” Vickery said. “I saw people out there Saturday dancing the same way they did back in the 60s and 70s. They will probably feel it today, but I could definitely feel the energy. They (the band) were overwhelmed by it all, and they sounded great after all those years.”

Now that the weekend is over, Vickery said planning has already begun for next year’s event. She said Williams Station Day has been the buzz of the town with phone calls coming into the Chamber offering appreciation for the event and assistance in prepping for the next one.

“This community is really upbeat and we are proud to be from Atmore,” Vickery said.

Below are the winners of the various Williams Station Day contests:

Fine Arts

• Best of Show: David Simmons

• First Place: Charles Smith

• Merit Award: Delia Stone

• Merit Award: Marry Manning

• Merit Award: Shirley Blankenship

Craft show

• Merit Award: Rodney & Johnathan Owens

• Merit Award: Kristy Deason

Pumpkin contest

• Kindergarten through second grade: First place, Landon Chavers; second place, Andrew Guy and third place, Katlyn Harrison.

• Third and fourth grades: First place, Madison Hammonds, second place, Logan Chavis and third place, Maddie Presley.

• Fifth and sixth grades: First place, Sara Milliken, second place, Travon Phillips and third place, Cassidy Murphy.

• Seventh grade and older: First place, Bradon Beachy, second place, Vicki Hunter and third place, Emily Carlin.