The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival officially kicked off Wednesday night at Niffer’s and Lake Martin Pizza Company in Dadeville, but for the event’s sponsors, the festival held a VIP reception Tuesday night at the Mitchell House.
“Our sponsors have made this event free to run since the beginning,” Chairman Stephen Pace said of the festival. “(The VIP reception) is just something we do to have some fun with our sponsors, have a little showcase, kick off the festival and show our appreciation.”
Lyricists Mark Hall, Charlie Argo, Marla Cannon Goodman, Marty Brown and Mark Addison Chandler performed at the reception.
Sponsors of this year’s festival include Russell Lands, Lake Martin Tallapoosa County Tourism, Lake Martin Grocery Store, Lake Martin Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce, The Boondocks at Bay Pines, Pace Place at Lake Martin, Za’s Veranda, Chuckwall’s Pizza, Hellas Fibers, Mortgage Pro, 2nd District Commissioner Steve Robinson, 3rd District Commissioner John McKelvey, The Square, Lake Martin Brewing, 41 Main Local, Fermenter’s Market, Main Street at Alexander City, Forensic Engineering Company, Martin at Lake Martin, State Senator Jay Hovey, Blackberry Breeze, Farmers Insurance – Mary Jo Johnson, The Funky Goat, SQ Painting Co., Elks, Lake Martin Marine Services, Nifer’s Place at Lake Martin, Kowaliga Country, and The Knife. 97.5, Lake Martin Pizza Company, Super 8 Alexander City, Cellars CPA, The Mitchell House, Creek Side Lodge, Prime Steakhouse, Tallapoosa County, Lake Broadcasting Co., Southern Real Estate Media, State Representative Ed Oliver, CT Electric, Lake Area Realty, Lake Martin Cabinetry, Love Lake Martin, Nashville Palace, Premium Turf, Thompson CAT, Zoe’s Lake Martin Guys, Bluffs Daiquiri Bar, John Emerald Distilling, River Region Title Services, Wind Creek Alabama State Park.
The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival runs through Sunday.