Glenwood is preparing for an annual festival, providing live music and vendors to help citizens celebrate a central part of the town. 

The Festival at the Well will commemorate its 32nd year on May 17, bringing in live music and entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and more. What had begun as a birthday party for a resident of Glenwood has become a major fundraiser. 

“I can remember from when I was a kid going out there,” said Jonathan Smith, president of the Festival at the Well Inc and organizer of the event. “There would be hundreds of people out there. It’s not a big area, so hundreds of people is a lot for the little town of Glenwood. I’ve been going to this thing since I was old enough to walk probably.”

For the past few years, the festival has served as the main fundraiser funding scholarships for students with ties to Glenwood, and upkeep of the well – which serves as a central part of the town and the area around it. 

According to Smith, the scholarships provided by Festival at the Well are $500 and can be used by the students to help with university, community college or trade school costs. 

“We’re looking for those kids who are struggling that might not have that little extra help that they need,” Smith said. “Those kids that may struggle academically but still try and put their effort in to get where they need to get to and do what they need to do.” 

During the event, there will be food vendors and arts and crafts vendors selling a variety of items, including jewelry, wreaths, outdoor accessories and more. There will also be door prizes during the event. 

There will also be a pageant, the 2025 Miss Festival at the Well, which will be accepting entrants until May 8. The winner of the Miss category will receive a $500 scholarship. 

Additionally, there will be live performances by the LA Steppers and Shebang, with live music performed by Rylee Austin and Shane Owens.

On Saturday, April 24, prior to the festival, Larry Johnson and the Bad Boyz of Brantley presented the first-ever Festival at the Well car show. Winners were: Michael Powell in first place, Dave Vonlehmden in second place, Luke Combs in third place and People’s Choice winner Toni Horn.

The Festival at the Well will begin at 9 a.m. on May 17. Tickets are $7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then $10 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.