From: Mynecia Steele
Prattville Cultural Arts and Special Events
Barbara Simpson has been around Prattville for a long time! Even if they don’t know her name, most people around here will recognize her from her work with the City’s Cultural Arts and Special Events Office. Barbara worked for the City of Prattville for 16 years before she retired in 2024. She helped plan many parades, festivals, concerts, art exhibits and much more during her time with the city. Manning a reflective yellow vest and helping guide floats and bystanders, she spent many years on the “other” side of Prattville parades.
“I never thought that I would ever be Grand Marshal for one of the parades! This is such a surprise and an honor,” Simpson shared. “A lot of hard work goes into the planning and execution of a parade and other events, but it all comes together and it is wonderful to see the faces of the people who come out to enjoy these family-friendly events.”
While most people know Barbara in her role as a Manager of Cultural Arts and Special Events, she is also an artist. She has shown her work not only in local and regional exhibitions and competitions, but also in national and international exhibits. Her art has been displayed in four international shows in New York and recently in an online international exhibition in San Fernando Valley, California. She has won numerous awards over the years and her work is part of many corporate, public and private collections. She is a founder of the River Region Artists, and a member of Prattauga Art Guild, Elmore County Art Guild, SACs Gallery, and former member and served on some of the boards of Montgomery Art Guild, Birmingham Art Association, Eastern Shore Art Association, Selma Art Guild and a former Board member of the Alabama Artist Colony which she attended for about 25 years.
Simpson’s artwork is what brought her to the City of Prattville. She was asked for assistance to start the Prattauga Art Guild. She is a current Prattauga Art Guild member and past president. She served as a representative for the City of Prattville on the State of Alabama Bicentennial Committee and a volunteer for the inaugural Fountain City Arts Festival, eventually being hired as the Festival Coordinator in 2008.
“I enjoyed my time working for the City of Prattville and creating events that everyone could enjoy. Now I am enjoying creating art and sharing it with friends and art lovers everywhere! The Prattville Mardi Gras Parade is one of my favorite events! People have so much fun, both in the crowd and on the floats. It is a time when everyone enjoys the floats and throws, and experience a true family-friendly event.”
For more information about the 2026 Mardi Gras Celebration visit https://tinyurl.com/PrattvilleMardiGrasCelebration or call the Special Events office at 334-595-0850.
