By Jeff Devine
Today, the community celebrated the 55th annual Claybank Jamboree in downtown Ozark, Alabama.
Organized by the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce this annual Festival celebrates the arrival of fall, allows multiple vendors to hawk their wares, and allows families to enjoy a family-free day filled with fun.
From delicious food and arts and crafts, to a Farmer for a Day program to activities for all ages, the 55th annual Claybank Jamboree was a major success.
We spoke to a number of individuals in attendance to ask them how their experience was going today. Mary, who lives in Skipperville, said she comes every year and has done so since she was a teenager.
“The Jamboree is just loads of fun. The festival gives folks from all backgrounds a chance to come together as a community to celebrate the legacy of Claybank [Jamboree]. My favorite part, other than the delicious food, is the fact that there are so many different vendors out here selling their products, and most of them are handmade, and you can see the time and effort and love poured into the products that many of these vendors created themselves.”
John, an Ozark resident, said, “I try to make it out here every year to enjoy everything that I have to offer. I really enjoy the live music and, of course, all of the delicious food. This year has been one of the most successful in recent history, I think.”
We also caught up with Bryan Macario, who will assume office on the Ozark City Council on November 3. Macario spoke with us about the success of the event and how it was great for local businesses–including Loose Brick Coffee, which he manages–and other vendors.
“Claybank went great,” Macario said.
“We were lined out the door most of the day. The weather was perfect, and we had many people who were visitors from out of town and military [personnel] from Fort Rucker. We (Loose Brick) opened at 6:00 am to accommodate many of the vendors, and it’s always great to see the same faces year after year coming back to sell their goods in Ozark!” Macario also emphasized the important nature of the annual Claybank Jamboree in bringing the community together.
Shaniqua, a mother of two from Daleville, was there with her children, and she emphasized the fun her kids had participating in the “kiddie” events, including the rides, face painting, and so much more.
With thousands of folks taking part in Ozark’s historical festival, it reminds us all of an important lesson:
From what I saw today while at the Claybank Jamboree, it made me ponder the following poignant message: Community festivals remind us of what truly matters—connection, friendship, and the simple joy of coming together. They help us see that beneath our differences, we share the same hopes, laughter, and love for the place we call home. It’s in these moments of togetherness that we rediscover how much more unites us than divides us. That, plus the delicious food.
All images below were taken by Jeff Devine at the Claybank Jamboree on October 4, 2025
