Christmas on the Square

DUD Parade

In Livingston, Alabama the New Year’s Eve celebration, or parade, known locally as DUD is a highlight of the year. This celebration for the changing of the year has become a tradition in Livingston and in Sumter County. The local residents have apparently given very little attention to the origin of the custom, but they consider it an important part of their civic and social life. From one year to the next, people quietly plan their acts and costumes for the DUD parade on the evening of December 31st.

    According to History of the Town of Livingston, Alabama, prepared in 1928 by Dr Robert D.Spratt, the DUD Parade originated in 1857 by Colonel T.B. Wetmore, Ben B. Little, and Mr. John McDaniel. By the time this was recorded in 1928 no one really knew how the DUD got started. It is believed to have been a custom carried over from England and Scotland.

    In the older days, the maskers called themselves the “Indomitables.” There was a march of the maskers at night and a parade on horseback in daytime. The custom almost passed out during the Civil War, but was revived some years afterward and has continued to the present day. The older name “Indomitables” passed out of use in the late 1800’s when “some stupendous wit began to call the maskers ‘Damned Ugly Devils’ and so we have the D.U.D.”

Monster March

This is an annual event held at Halloween to bring children and young families together.  Monster March is a collaboration between the Ruby Pickens Tartt Public Library and the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce to offer a fun, safe way to celebrate the season for even the youngest of trick-or-treater’s. Accompanied children meet at the library for a guided tour around downtown Livingston collecting treats from participating businesses.

Sucarnochee Folklife Festival

The Sucarnochee Folklife Festival is an annual April event sponsored by The University of West Alabama. Everyone is invited to Livingston to discover some of the best musicians, artists, storytellers and cornbread chefs the Black Belt has to offer.  The festival, named after the Sucarnochee River that flows through Livingston, is packed with a variety of activities situated around Courthouse Square. An always favorite is the Cornbread Cook-off, a culinary delight, allowing cooks to wow the judges in three categories: traditional cornbread, specialty cornbread and best recipe using cornbread. Artisans from around the region will create a variety of folk crafts including pine needle and gourd baskets, shell carvings, metal works, wood carvings and pottery. Food vendors and artists allow visitors to take home a piece of tradition.