Pendleton Hydrant Parade Features All-New Art
Montevallo, Ala.—Montevallo’s Pendleton Hydrant Parade, a 2.6-mile trail that features 29 painted fire hydrants, has recently completed its renovations. Local artists volunteered to paint the hydrants in a number of different themes that reflect what Montevallo residents love about their community, including Montevallo Bulldogs, first responders, local flora and fauna, and community assets such as the Sister City, Tinglewood, and James Wylie Shepherd Observatory.
The trail was originally created in 2007 to honor Dudley Pendleton and his faithful canine sidekick Pedro. Mr. Pendleton served over 50 years with Montevallo Fire and Rescue Service and over 20 years with the Montevallo Water and Sewer Board.
Becky Cox-Rodgers, manager of Falcon Art Supply and longtime Montevallo resident, spearheaded the trail’s renovation by recruiting community partners and artists to come together to repaint the hydrants, which were showing wear and tear a decade after they were first painted. “Both citizens and visitors enjoyed seeing the hydrants and often commented about them,” said Becky. “Dudley’s wife Emily and their daughters realized that the hydrants were in need of a sprucing up and gave a very generous donation towards the revitalizing of the trail.”
The Pendleton Hydrant Parade was updated and rededicated this year in their memory through a partnership between Montevallo Main Street, Montevallo Water and Sewer Board, the Pendleton Family, the City of Montevallo, Montevallo Fire and Rescue, and the Montevallo Arts Collaborative.
Although no formal activities are planned to highlight the hydrant parade, visitors are welcome to experience this unique public art feature during Montevallo’s 44th Annual Fire Prevention Parade that begins at 10 AM on Saturday, October 2. The self-guided walking tour begins at Montevallo’s Fire Station at 1140 Ashville Road, and can be followed on the AllTrails app or via a printed map available at City Hall and the Fire Station.
More information can be found on the City of Montevallo website: https://www.cityofmontevallo.com/PendletonHydrantTrail.aspx.
