By Terry Robertson
Bhamnow.com
One of Birmingham’s most recognizable landmarks has a birthday coming up. Vulcan’s 114th Birthday Bash will be held June 3 from noon to 4 p.m.
Vulcan Park and Museum got a major upgrade this year when the Kiwanis Centennial Park and Vulcan Trail opened in March. The $5.8 million park expansion was a community gift from Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, with the assistance of the Freshwater Land Trust and Vulcan Park, to commemorate the club’s 100 years of service.
“Birmingham families look forward to Vulcan’s Big Birthday Bash every year! With the addition of the new Kiwanis Centennial Park and the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail, adding a Boost Kid’s fun run to our event this year. We hope everyone joins in the fun to help Vulcan blow out his candles,” said Darlene Negrotto, President and CEO of Vulcan Park Foundation.
Here’s what you need to know about Vulcan:
- Vulcan represented the city of Birmingham in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
- The statue was cast in none other than Sloss No. 2 pig iron—100,000 pounds of it. It stands 56 feet tall.
- Iron is the raw material that drove Birmingham’s quick industrial rise in the second half of the 19th century. The growth was so fast it seemed magical, leading to the nickname the Magic City.
- The new Kiwanis Centennial Park, an expansion to Vulcan Park and Museum, opened in March 2018.
Here’s what’s new at Vulcan Park and Museum:
- Kiwanis Centennial Park Plaza, featuring a fountain as its centerpiece, is an ideal outdoor event space.
- A 2.2-mile trail is open for jogging, hiking and biking.
- Stone steps lead from the new Vulcan Trail up to Vulcan Park and Museum.
- Views, views and more views. Vulcan Park already offered some of the best vistas in town, but with the plaza and trail, visitors can expect even more opportunities to take in the scenery from Red Mountain.
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