Things to Do in Tallassee, AL: Your Summer 2026 Community & Culture Guide

Easterling Carpenter • May 18, 2026

Tallassee's Community is Planning on a Big Summer

After an exciting celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the US, Tallassee continues building momentum in 2026. This as a number of summer events and live entertainment to outdoor recreation and major community investment show the growing community interest. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy everything from performances at the historic Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center to boating and recreation along the Tallapoosa River and Lake Talisi.

At the same time, the city is also looking ahead with plans for a new multi-million-dollar community center that will expand recreation, fitness, and gathering space for future generations. Together, these events, projects, and community spaces reflect a Tallassee that continues investing in quality of life, local growth, and opportunities for families across the river region.

Explore Arts & Entertainment this Summer

The vintage Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center has a major summer schedule lined up this year. After a wildly successful showing of the play "Steel Magnolias" they have continued to fill our town with events ranging from plays to live music in Tallassee. You may wish to check their webpage for any updates at mtvernonpac.com.

The theater is located at 321 Barnett Blvd, Tallassee, AL 36078.

The Mount Vernon PAC Summer Lineup

List of Services

Activities for Families and Youth in Tallassee

From community service, educational programs, vacation bible school, Motocross competitions and so much more, you will find plenty of family activities in Tallassee, AL has fantastic ways for children and youth to enjoy their summer with others. While specific summer dates are shifting, keep a close watch on the Mill Collective as they regularly host all kinds of events.

Tallassee Community Library Summer Program: Unearth a Story!

This year the Tallassee Community Library has set itself to be an absolute treasure trove of things for families to do in Tallassee. This program is highly recommended for families new to the Tallassee area. Their pre-historic theme is "Unearth a Story," centered on dinosaur-related games, readings, and crafts every Wednesday from June 3rd to July 29th. Programs have two class times at 10:30 AM or 2:00PM.

Children are encouraged to read throughout the summer and readers who hit 100 books by the end of July receive a special prize!

The big highlights of this year's program are an appearance from entertainer Bill Packard and a live animal show by Animal Tales!

Register at the library located at 99 Freeman Ave, Tallassee, AL 36078.

June 22nd-25th: The Party Palace @ The Pointed Toe Summer Camps

Designed with your little ones in mind, bring your 3-8 year olds for fun games, crafts and special appearances from their favorite characters! Themes include:

June 22 – K-Pop Demon Hunters Camp
June 23 – Fairy Camp
June 24 – Wicked Camp
June 25 – Frozen Camp

Costs are $50 per day or $180 for the whole week with activities lasting from 9:00AM to 12:00PM.

Event will be held at 511 Burt Mill Rd, Tallassee, AL 36078.

Contact thepartypalaceal@gmail.com for reservations and more information.

July 9th-11th: Project 4:12 - Youth to Give Back to the Community

Project 4:12 is a local 501(c) built on the idea of from the community for the community where volunteers old and young will come together to help accomplish projects around residents' homes. They plan to assist with everything between yard cleanup and pressure washing, to constructing wheelchair ramps and other home repairs.

It represents an opportunity for youth and adults to live out the principles outlined in Timothy 4:12, "being an example of the believers" by volunteering time, serving food, praying, and supporting projects financially. You can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9_Tyl40T4ZY2Wi9W9vm7siMn_QVfkJbnYG7TFyJEseUf1pA/viewform?pli=1

Or contact event organizers at: project412tallassee@gmail.com

The event weekend is scheduled for July 9th-11th

Vacation Bible Schools in Tallassee

Tallassee churches are looking to be very active this year as several Vacation Bible Schools are being organized this year.

List of Services

View of the Benjamin Fitzpatrick bridge from Big eddy on the Tallapoosa River

Outdoor Recreation on the Tallapoosa River

Tallassee boasts a major outdoor recreation presence with its combination of accessible boat launches and nature trails on Lake Talisi and the Tallapoosa River.

The Lake Talisi Boat Ramp is located just off of Gilmer Ave about 5 minutes from downtown and has access to a riverwalk and trail that winds about half a mile through the woods one-way. The riverwalk is a popular spot for people to enjoy the water, whether it be resting on the benches or fishing.

The Big Eddy and the Tallapoosa River

The "Big Eddy" Riverfront Park is an emerging treat for outdoors lovers in Tallassee, Alabama. It is almost literally a hidden gem so it takes some work to find it. It is located behind AES Industries down a dirt road. After driving past the boat ramp, you come to a small dirt parking area. From there, visitors walk down the path leading a covered picnic area with a fire pit. Visitors can enjoy sitting outdoors or going down the riverbank to enjoy fishing on the river. Behind the covered seating area is a mountain bike course complete with ramps and bridges for those looking for an adrenaline rush.

For anyone looking to get on the water, you can expect rapids that make for an dynamic whitewater kayaking experience. Just make sure to check Alabama Shores for the Thurlow Dam release schedule.

Trails continue past the seating area for about four-tenths of a mile. This is a continuing project of the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority and the City of Tallassee as we look for an opportunity to establish a mile-long loop. Better signage and access is anticipated as time moves on.

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Monster Mountain MX

International sensation Monster Mountain MX has some high-octane events after just finishing their Loretta Lynn Area Qualifier last month with group training sessions scheduled throughout the month of June. Join this world class motocross track that has a long-running history of quality competition and training facilities located at 3170 Burt Mill Rd, Tallassee, AL 36078.

List of Services

Local Dining & Community Growth

Tallasse simply continues to grow. Mayor Joey Wiginton confirmed just recently that the the old Pizza Hut location on Gilmer Ave will soon give way to a new Japanese restaurant. With this new growth, we still have plenty of veteran dining and downtown businesses.

In downtown, you can always enjoy a good lunch or dinner at the Talisi Old Towne Grille right on Barnett Blvd, or something to start your morning at the Restoration 49 cafe. Towards the end of the week, you can expect fantastic barbecue options from Bootleg Brothers BBQ. After a good meal, you might check out other downtown favorites such as a smoothie from Tallassee Nutrition, unique finds at the Mill Collective indoor flea market, select stones from Tallassee Jewelers or maybe some antique furniture and decor from The Gallery(open only on Saturdays).

The old Pizza hut gets a new coat of paint as it becomes a Japanese restaurant in Tallassee, AL

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America 250: Tallassee Style

By Michael Bird • April 3, 2026

Tallassee celebrates America 250

Tallassee AL shows off downtown beauty in time for Red White and Blue Fest

Tallassee, Alabama Redevelopment: A Community Reborn for America’s 250th Anniversary

By Easterling Carpenter • March 31, 2026

Celebrate the US 250th in Tallassee, AL! Join the Red, White, and Blue Fest April 24-25 for the Samson Strong 5K, Ronnie McDowell live, and fireworks. Discover the Source.

Why Auburn University Is Studying Tallassee’s Historic Mill District — And Why Developers Are Taking Notice

By Easterling Carpenter • March 23, 2026

Tallassee’s 120,000+ SF Historic Mill Site Positioned for Redevelopment Tallassee, AL's Historic Mill complex has attracted institutional and academic interest among which, Dr. Tommy Brown at Auburn University archives seeks out mill records. This comes one year after feasibility studies confirm its viability as a large-scale mixed-use redevelopment opportunity. Tallassee Redevelopment Authority(TRA)-sponsored studies back up that potential, showing: Estimated Rental Rates of $12-$18/SF premiums as riverfront commercial real estate (as opposed $5-10/SF locally) Estimated $12 Million dollars in annual economic impact Approximately 45% in Historic Tax credits (20% Federal + 25% State) Strategic positioning between Auburn and Montgomery Existing structure in place with modern electrical, HVAC, and water , display utilities readily available Stabilized structures reduce early-stage capital risk And the TRA as its current owner, is actively seeking development partners to advance the site into its next phase. Strategic Transition This Tallassee Industrial Era property is closer than ever to its future. The site was continuously used up until 2005 as textile mill, making it one of the longest continuously operating mill sites in the nation. Due to changes in the market, the industry became underutilized and production ceased. Many Tallassee residents having worked there and through the effort of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society(THPS), have reduced investor risk. They raised over $30,000 dollars to put modern corrugated metal roofing on several of the buildings as well as restoring and currently performing upkeep. Stewardship by THPS enabled stabilization, having invested approximately $95,000 total in risk management and restoration efforts , after which ownership transitioned to the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority to facilitate professional redevelopment and investment partnerships. The TRA has sponsored professional studies as recently as 2025, which will be explored further in this article. The Tallassee, AL Location Advantage Regional positioning strengthens Tallassee’s redevelopment potential. Seated neatly between Auburn and Montgomery, it is only 10 minutes from I-85 . With Auburn, AL experiencing a 34.2% population growth between 2015 and 2023( according to GoBankingRates ), creates spillover housing and hospitality demand in nearby communities. Tallassee remains an ideal location for young families and commuting college students as well, seeing a cost of living 17% lower than the national average and 12.9% lower than the Opelika-Auburn area per PayScale . Strong school performance further supports long-term residential and workforce stability. Tallassee City Schools also stand out for young families as one of the highest rated schools by the Alabama State Report Card between Auburn and Montgomery, AL. Tallassee Elementary was scored in the 2024-2025 with a 90/A grade by the state. Tallassee's closeness to both of these cities, and access to 750,000 residents within 45 minutes act as a major opportunity for a commuting workforce. Many of which already commute to Tallassee's established industry such as GKN Aerospace, Neptune, and Hanil USA. Professional Planning Confirms the Opportunity In 2025, the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority commissioned a comprehensive redevelopment analysis conducted by Place Associates, LLC in collaboration with Leavell Design Consultants. The resulting Tallassee Mill Sites Redevelopment Report provides independent market validation, economic modeling, and phased development strategies for the site. With authorization from the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority, this article makes the study available to prospective developers and partners seeking deeper due diligence insight.