By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO — The city of Montevallo is celebrating a number of changes, as well as a sense of community pride by hosting “Bulldog Day” Aug. 16.

“Bulldog Day” is a day-long event recognizing the city’s sports teams, as well as upgrades to several athletic facilities within Montevallo, Montevallo High School athletic director Trey Simpson said.

“This year, (we’re) trying to (have) one big day for events for the community,” he said.

The event will begin at 7 a.m. with a community-wide yard sale at Theron Fisher Stadium, and subsequent events will follow around the city. Events include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, an alumni softball and baseball game and a community soccer game, Simpson said.

“There will be a section (of) inflatables for kids,” he said. “(We will) recognize youth league teams.”

In addition to the games, improvements to the stadium as well as a brand new logo that will be used by all sports teams in Montevallo will be revealed. The logo will feature the letter “M” in blue coloring with an orange outline and an updated bulldog mascot in the center of the letter, Simpson said.

“(We’ll) start the new year with a new logo,” he said. “(It’s a) new universal logo we can all (use). Everyone really banded together…with this.”

Improvements to the stadium include a wind screen for the fences surrounding the stadium, a back drop to hang from the back of the home side grandstand and a resurfacing of the track around the football field, among others.

Upgrades to other facilities include a brand new lighting system for the baseball and softball fields at Orr Park, as well as the new University of Montevallo softball complex, located at the front of the park.

Simpson said the 3-on-3 tournament as well as the soccer game was open to “anyone, not just Montevallo,” and said he hoped the community will embrace the event, as well as the school and youth league teams that represent the city.

“We expect everyone in Montevallo to be there,” he said.

For more information on the event, contact Simpson at gsimpson@shelbyed.k12.al.us.